If you haven't got one - a proper record cleaning machine. The essential item for every vinyl fanatic. I wet clean every LP once when I buy it and put it into a proper inner sleeve. Transforms your second hand LPs and reduces static and dust build up on new LPs.
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
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
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- 56 posts total
@marktomaras, I’m sorry to say I don’t have the knowledge to explain why the SR Red or Black fuses (and there are some specific others listed in that thread) create better sounding music. If you read the thread it might answer your question. As far as interconnects, speaker cables, digital cables and power cords are concerned, after 30 years of trying various brands, I’m very happy with the sound produced by High Fidelity Cables. |
Think about upgrading your digital transport and adding HQplayer to upsample PCM to DSD.... http://http//www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?19221-Streamer-to-kill-the-big-boys-for-under-250 |
- 56 posts total