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First "audiophile" system, now what? Suggestions for best "bang for the buck" upgrade?

After being beguiled with mp3s and the TV AVR, I finally realized I missed having a dedicated stereo system. With a budget of $2400, here is what I put together:
  ProJect Carbon 1 w/TizoAcrylic platter and Ortofon Red cartridge,
  Hagerman Bugle2 preamp,
  Vincent V-60 tube amp,
  Martin Logan 12 speakers.
 No special wires or cables. My room is 14x19 that is open to the kitchen. Compared to what I had been hearing, this system sounds fabulous. But now I want more fabulous. So I am writing to seek help on making short term/long term plans to upgrade. Short term means the biggest improvement in sound that costs $500 or less. The long term plan could cost maybe $2-3k or more. I have read that going from Ortofon Red to Blue might be a an inexpensive but very noticeable improvement? If speakers are my weak link, then maybe Martin Logan electrostatics would be good (when my ship comes in)?
I welcome any suggestions.
etwilley
iclickjohn
26 posts
 
There's never enough money is there.
So if you want amazing speaker cables on the cheap you could try what I did. I had a whole lot of used Cat5 cable (saw a good review of measured outputs of various cables) get six Cat5 cables for each speaker 25% longer than your needs. Twist two together x3. Then braid those three twisted pair. The real diy fun is separating the dark from light at both ends, striping, and attaching banana plugs. Be sure to purchase a continuity tester ($15) to make sure a stray wire didn't cross over (do this before you attach banana plugs) plus it's an amazing work out in your wrists. You'll look like Popeye when you're done. 
I am also impressed that there are a lot of guys out there keeping the cost down on amazing equipment like Sandy Gross with his Goldenear speakers. I also wanted the most bang for the buck for cheap. 
PrimaLuna Prologic integrated tube amp, Sony HapS1, and Goldenear Triton Ones, my homemade cables, power conditioner, and good power cords. The variations and recommendations are endless so enjoy YOUR journey. 

erik_squires
16,560 posts
 
How is the imaging? Top to bottom? Left to right, front to back?

In whichever dimension that is lacking, add diffusers and absorbers.

Best,

Erik
oranfoster's avatar
oranfoster
135 posts
 
ewilley, You have been given a lot to think about in the above posts, for sure! I would add the fabulous Spin-Clean record system for about $100. Then try to find the right dish drainer (I bought a cool bamboo one at Target) to finish air drying your records as you wash more. 

I recently bought a used ultra-sonic record cleaner. I had been thinking about upgrading a fantastic MM cart that cost me $1,200 for an MC cart in the range of two to three grand. But, wow, running my seemingly clean disks through my new machine has been a huge sonic upgrade to my analog front end! The Spin-Clean may not be quite the system as my Audiodesk Systeme, but it will get you most of the way there and I guarantee it will be about the best $100 improvement you can make in what already is a very promising system.

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