Thanks for all the advice--appreciate the continued feedback.
I have decided on a Lyra Kleos for the cart. Unfortunately my table seems to be backordered, so I've got a loaner HW-19 mk4 with a retipped Grace cart for now. It still sounds fantastic, but I'm anxiously awaiting my gear so I can get a good idea of the possible improvements which I'm told I'll get over this table/cart combo.
With this MM Grace cart, I've been running 3 phono pre's as of today...an ARC SE3 with some Telefunkens, an iPhono, and as of today a SimAudio 5.3 with the external power supply. While the iPhono is far from burned in, the other 2 are (I think), and while I wanted to like the SE3 the best, I'm really enjoying the SimAudio tonight. It seems to have a little more bass control and upper end to boot. Cymbals and stand-up bass just sound a bit more there and real with the 5.3.
I am all over the map about how much to spend on the phono pre to maximize the value of the rest of my investment. I can probably go to near my end-game with used prices if I really choose to ($7.5k), but not sure I'd get the value of that with my current integrated and speakers, despite being super happy with them.
I'll have to get the new VPI and Kleos in the system with these phonos and see how that moves me before locking in on a phono pre.
I have decided on a Lyra Kleos for the cart. Unfortunately my table seems to be backordered, so I've got a loaner HW-19 mk4 with a retipped Grace cart for now. It still sounds fantastic, but I'm anxiously awaiting my gear so I can get a good idea of the possible improvements which I'm told I'll get over this table/cart combo.
With this MM Grace cart, I've been running 3 phono pre's as of today...an ARC SE3 with some Telefunkens, an iPhono, and as of today a SimAudio 5.3 with the external power supply. While the iPhono is far from burned in, the other 2 are (I think), and while I wanted to like the SE3 the best, I'm really enjoying the SimAudio tonight. It seems to have a little more bass control and upper end to boot. Cymbals and stand-up bass just sound a bit more there and real with the 5.3.
I am all over the map about how much to spend on the phono pre to maximize the value of the rest of my investment. I can probably go to near my end-game with used prices if I really choose to ($7.5k), but not sure I'd get the value of that with my current integrated and speakers, despite being super happy with them.
I'll have to get the new VPI and Kleos in the system with these phonos and see how that moves me before locking in on a phono pre.