2. analog
  3. 1198867713

which would you replace first?

My father is looking to improove his Vinyl set-up which consists of Soutmaster (STOCK) a Benz MC cart (the $600 model...red "ACE"?) and a Musical Surroundings Phonomena stage with Kimber Hero cables. Between the stage and cart what would give most bang for the buck in the $1500 price range if we only want to replce 1 of the 2 at this time. Thanks as always...............HAPPY NEW YEAR
chadnliz
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,470 posts
 
Who's to account for tast... I'm not fond of the Jubilee. I heard it in 2 different systems..MBL, and I dont remember what the other one was,however, it was a megabuck system... butI got a HI FI, nut a musical sound both times.
radrog
157 posts
 
I believe the pre-phono is way more important then the cart.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Phono pre EAR 834P is one of the best values around, tube based and befitting of systems that cost much more.
ontjesr
157 posts
 
Doesn't you dad have the ARC REF 3?? I would think you'd try to find a cartridge to work with it & one you like, and drop the phono pre from the signal path. Sometimes, though, I realize that's not possible.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Well just like every other thread on AudiogoN asking for advice, it appears as if you will get no definitive answers here, and you'll just have to experiment on your own. Since as Stringreen noted, tastes and system synergy will come into play here.

Bob (Ontjesr), the ARC Ref 3 is a line stage only preamp, not a full function preamp. Meaning a seperate phono preamp is still a requirement to have enough gain for vinyl.

Cheers,
John
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