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Upgraded turntable - is my current setup sufficient?

After some research on table upgrades from my denon dp300 with the sumiko rainier I pulled the trigger on the Marantz TT15-S1 with included clearaudio virtuoso. Based on some threads on this forum and some others it seems that any table under $1000 wouldn't yield the kind of audible jump I wanted.

Currently I have an adcom gtp500 for the phono stage running into a rotel 1066 pre-pro and the rotel 1080 amp. Those are driving a set of cambridge soundworks tower 1 speakers.

I am hoping to hear an appreciable difference with the new marantz and virtuoso running through my current setup.

Does anyone think otherwise?

If so let me know any suggested changes and what order they should be made. I've checked the specs - the adcom amp should have no problems with the virtuoso cart. Having said that, is there a better phono stage upgrade I can make for under $500 that would be noticeable difference?

I picked up the tower 1 speakers last year for $150 bucks and I've been super happy with them. Im hoping the marantz won't underperform due to the speakers or anything else, and will provide me with the appreciable difference I am hoping for.

Thanks!
jsnath
ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
I would assume your turntable is dp300f.
The Marantz turntable dwarfs rest of your components. I think the biggest bottleneck is the phono pre. Then, your speakers, and preamp, and then amp.
Your turntable and cartridge deserve at least $300 phono preamp. Your Rotel amp and Adcom preamp will be OK for a while, but you would not get 100% out of the turntable.
My suggestion is, seriously looking for better phono pre ASAP, and then save $$$$ for next speakers and amps.
jsnath OP
4 posts
 
Yes - dp300f. No typos - also it is belt driven. Stock arm and upgraded to sumiko rainier cart. 

Any suggestions on a phono-pre that pairs well with the clearaudio cart? 

I don't see myself upgrading the rotel amps or speakers for at least a couple years... Though you never know should a good deal come around. 

Experimenting with some different phono's seems like an easy enough exercise though. Thank you. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,860 posts
 
The Schiit Mani has got to out-perforn the Adcom. I'd start there. You can also add a linear power supply for an uptick in SQ.


lewm
13,169 posts
 
I think your question was whether you would be able to appreciate an improvement from your new Marantz rig, in the context of your present system, compared to the denon that you now own. My answer is a tentative yes. Beyond that I would take with a grain of salt the tons of conflicting advice that your post has elicited and will continue to elicit. In the end you have to make up your own mind. I would say that the very last thing I would do now if I were you is to tie up any money in a synergistic PHT thingy. Millercarbon seems to love them, but there are many among us who think they are totally worthless. It’s debatable. However, whether worthless or miraculous, making a tweak like that a priority is inappropriate at this stage.
lewm
13,169 posts
 
I might add that on a gross level, I think your Adcom phono stage is a weak link, once you have installed the Marantz. There are innumerable excellent phono stages available these days for your MM cartridge that  cost under $500.
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