2. analog
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if you had my system and $2,000 budgeted for an upgrade, where would you spend it?

This post may go a bit beyond analog, as it could encompass other parts of the system, but I am not interested in adding to the digital side of things, so here it is.

As far as I can tell, it seems like the places to spend that $2K would be on a better tonearm or perhaps a preamplifier upgrade.  I may be able to sell my Audio Research LS-25 and upgrade to ARC Ref 3.  As for the tonearm, I could sell the RB202 and get a Michell Tecnoarm, or step it up to an arm for about $1600 (are the Clearaudio arms nice?) and still have a little left over.

Can a tonearm upgrade make a significant sonic improvement?

I am not dying to spend money on an upgrade, and if the benefit of that $2K will be minuscule, I am happy to stay as I am for a while, my system sounds excellent.  But I am curious to know what the experienced people on this site would do the the $2K if they were in my shoes.

Where is the most improvement possible?
Thanks!
Mark

System Gear List:

Amplifier:  Audio Research VT-100 mkII
Preamplifier:  Audio Research LS-25
Phono Stage:  Whest Audio PS.30R
Cartridge:  Lyra Delos
Table:  Michell Engineering Tecnodec with standard RB202 tonearm
DAC:  PS Audio PerfectWave DAC mkII
Power Conditioner:  Shunyata Research Talos
Speakers:  Rockport Technologies Mira Monitors
Subwoofer:  Wisdom Audio SCS
Speaker Cable:  Cardas Audio Cross
Interconnect:  Cardas Audio 300B Microtwin XLR
Digital Music Storage & Player:  Apple Mac Mini + ROON + Hard Drive
Power Cables:  Shunyata Research Venom HC (amp, sub, conditioner)
Power Cables:  Shunyata Research Sidewinder VTX (sources)

My system can be seen here:  https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5421
marktomaras
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,745 posts
 
I concur w/ inna- Mark.

Cardas are too rolled off to taste. A cable/power cord upgrade is always warranted. ARC and Transparent cabling are sonic matches! Keep me posted and Happy Listening!
anwar
119 posts
 
I suggest you consider adding an isolation transformer.  If your incoming AC voltage is not stable, add isolation transformer with voltage regulation.

I started with passive power conditioners (Shunyata Hydra Alpha and Furutech e-tp609 x 2) for my main system.  Then I have power supply tube failure in my AR Ref 5SE which blew the speakers' mid-bass drivers.  It was caused by AC line over voltage (I am in 230V country).  I bought Torus AVR30 Wall Mount which does not come with power strips, so I wired the 3 passive power conditioners to AVR30 outputs.  Oh man, what a big difference it makes to background noise and resolution.  It was a very significant upgrade.

Since then, I added Torus RM (isolation only with built-in power strips) to my other systems without any passive power conditioners.

The comment by almarg about impedance matching is very correct.  Initially the output of my AR Ref 5SE goes into Bryston 10B-SUB (10k impedance) which drives MC452 and JL f113 subs.  Too low of impedance cause high frequency roll-off.  I eventually went to passive route (semi DIY fully balanced silver slagleformers) and sold the Ref 5SE.
fliz
66 posts
 
I'd spend the 2k on stillpoints.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yes, Cardas is rolled-off, unbalanced, usually has exaggerated and bloated bass, artificial warmth and not really dynamic.
I really like Purist Audio cables. In your place I would try Purist, Stealth and probably better Tara cables. Mid-level, you don't need thousands but you do need hundreds. I would start with the first in chain interconnect and move from there. Power cords too.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
markto,
You have good components and that’s my point, you’re not maximizing their potential by using the 300B ICs. You say that you like the overall sound of your system, so you probably do like the Cardas house sound.

I have auditioned Cardas extensively by using The Cable Company’s lending library, so I know your cables. The 300B ICs were my first high-end cable, but they lack depth and dynamics.

Your Cardas Cross spkr. cables present a warm sonic signature, yes? That’s why I mentioned the newer generation of Cardas cables, the "Clear" line. They are very open, more detailed, more 3D, and when combined with your current speaker cables, you would still maintain the current timbre of your system.
You would be surprised how much an upgrade in IC’s can make to a system, especially in your case, going from entry-level to higher-end.

And I’m not trying to sell you on Cardas; I'm recommending an IC upgrade, period.
 I eventually changed from all Cardas to Purist Audio.

So, if I have this right, you are only using these XLR ICs from preamp to amp, and to sub? You would upgrade the preamp/amp cable; it will open up the performance of the ARC gear tremendously. You don’t need a high-priced cable for the sub, it is only reproducing the low-end frequencies. (in fact I would use a more neutral cable for the sub).

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