Wow, I went away for few days and got flooded with advice. Thanks so much. Mostly reinforced what I suspected are best next steps. So here's my plan:
1. Better needle. Swap Ortofon Red for Blue (nude elliptical). The needles use the same cartridge, so the needles can just be swapped. Many folks report that the improvement in sound is very noticeable - for $150 - looks like a bargain to me.
2. Should say better speakers next, but instead I think I may be able to improve the power supply. Much of this I think I can DIY. It may be a modest improvement but may also be a modest expense with free labor.
3. Now better speakers. Problem is the Martin Logan 12s were originally $1500 a pair and I got them new (discontinued) for $400. I'm guessing that I would have to spend upwards of $2500 to get speakers that would sound substantially better, unless they are used and I'm leery of buying used speakers.
4. Better turntable (VPI?) after the novelty of the ProJect 1 Carbon w/acrylic platter wears off. It has issues with motor hum, but it looks cool.
5. High end cables/ wires are last on my list. When my components are better matched, and I have a dedicated listening space that I can customize, maybe then my ears will hear the effect of better cables.
6. I think I will be growing into my amp Vincent V60 for a long time. I think I was lucky to find it for auction on Audiogon. Self biasing 60w tube amp, TAS integrated amp of the year(2010?) for $1200. I think it is the best piece in the system by far.
So the needle upgrade is a forgone conclusion for the most pressing upgrade; what I really need to know is if anyone has experience finding a good speaker match for an integrated tube amp such as the Vincent V60 so that I can start dreaming now? Perhaps this should be a new thread?
1. Better needle. Swap Ortofon Red for Blue (nude elliptical). The needles use the same cartridge, so the needles can just be swapped. Many folks report that the improvement in sound is very noticeable - for $150 - looks like a bargain to me.
2. Should say better speakers next, but instead I think I may be able to improve the power supply. Much of this I think I can DIY. It may be a modest improvement but may also be a modest expense with free labor.
3. Now better speakers. Problem is the Martin Logan 12s were originally $1500 a pair and I got them new (discontinued) for $400. I'm guessing that I would have to spend upwards of $2500 to get speakers that would sound substantially better, unless they are used and I'm leery of buying used speakers.
4. Better turntable (VPI?) after the novelty of the ProJect 1 Carbon w/acrylic platter wears off. It has issues with motor hum, but it looks cool.
5. High end cables/ wires are last on my list. When my components are better matched, and I have a dedicated listening space that I can customize, maybe then my ears will hear the effect of better cables.
6. I think I will be growing into my amp Vincent V60 for a long time. I think I was lucky to find it for auction on Audiogon. Self biasing 60w tube amp, TAS integrated amp of the year(2010?) for $1200. I think it is the best piece in the system by far.
So the needle upgrade is a forgone conclusion for the most pressing upgrade; what I really need to know is if anyone has experience finding a good speaker match for an integrated tube amp such as the Vincent V60 so that I can start dreaming now? Perhaps this should be a new thread?