Bang for the buck

Room treatments are a non-issue. Taken care of.

I've just picked up a technoarm and am listening as I write.

Big improvement! No comparison!

So what's next?

You can get the Orbe clamp at a reasonable price from UK online retailers like Analogue Seduction (if you're not in the UK already.) It's a simple upgrade that I wouldn't hesitate to do first.

http://www.analogueseduction.net/product/Michell_Engineering_Orbe_Record_Clamp_Upgrade_Kit_For_GyroDec_and_GyroDec_SE_ME-OCK

I've bought several Michell upgrades and parts from them.

With this upgrade you keep the Gyro platter and replace only the spindle and clamp.

The tonearm de-coupling kit is also cheap and effective.

You also get the Orbe clamp if you upgrade to the Orbe platter, but not everyone seems to like the effect of the fatter platter (well at least one guy I know of who complains that it has negative effect on PRaT).

After that, the HR power supply upgrade (PSU) is rather expensive. I got mine on ebay for about $500. You could also get this from UK if you don't mind modding for the voltage difference yourself

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1168816683

By the way, the stock power supply does have a speed adjustment, but you have to open it up to get to it.

I think the Audio Note/Rega arm is a good base from which to explore other cartridges. (I don't know anything about Sumiko cartridges.)

A new tonearm would probably be the most expensive upgrade and could cost more than the table itself.

Oops, I missed that you got a Technoarm. So I suggest researching cartridges. You haven't said anything about your phono preamplification.

My pre is an Audible Illusions Modulus 3a and I'm very happy with it. Running Pearl Cryo tubes in the output stage and Amperex Orange Globes in the phono stage.

I've been playing a lot over the last week or so and have made good progress. Paying lots of attention to levelling the table, tracking weight, VTA, and anti-skate. Lots of replaying reference music. Great fun!

The new EVO III is starting to settle in nicely and the technoarm has made a big improvement to the sound.

I might go with the clamp and am currently looking at power supply options. I am, currently in the UK.

Cheers!

I also already have the tonearm decoupling kit installed. I'm just curious to see how far I can take this table.

I've been reading reports of the Orbe platter upgrade dampening the sound too much.

Anyone have any experience here?

Music tastes vary but I usually listen to jazz, electronic, classical, soul, blues...