Analog Front End Next Upgrade

Well, here’s the thing, I can’t really complain about anything in particular with my current setup. I seem to be stuck in this perpetual upgraditis, and I’m wondering what is my weak link now.

Within the past 6 months I’ve upgraded my phono stage from musical surroundings Phonomena II+ to Black Cube SE II, which noticeably lowered the noise floor and improved soundstage focus and detail retrieval. I upgraded from a Hana SL to the MC Scheu SL, and noticed vast improvement in timbre. Most recently I traded out an aries scout for the vpi prime. The improvement was most noticeable in less distortion which resulted in smoother sound and eliminated the last bit of tracing errors I had at the inner grooves.

I think after all these positive upgrades, I want more, and wondering what else I could improve. Would moving to Cardas cygnus cabling offer any improvements (assuming my gear is resolving enough)? I’m also considering trading up to a Lehmann Decade because I think the phono stage may be my weak link. Is there a rule of thumb for order of precedence with analog front end gear?

@cbl117 I tried Audio Sensibility Impact phono cables and wasn't particularly impressed. Music was muddy and not as clear as my Jelco/Mogami 2534 cable. 

I would upgrade the phono first not the cartridge, and this new phono should be able to handle Lyra Delos and Dyna XX that you might get later. What to upgrate to? I think, you could consider starting separate thread while listing all your equipment and preferred sound and taste in music. Some will say go up the Lehmann line, some will recommend Pass or Sutherland, yet other will say to go tubes.

inna, I agree with your assessment about upgrading the phono first.  I'm going to look into exchanging the Black Cube SE II for the Decade.  I think there is more to be had with the Scheu and Prime, and the phono will help to squeeze out that last bit of performance.  

After the phono upgrade, I'm going to look into moving up the Cardas line to Clear Cygnus cables. 

@cbl117 - I still think that with the great components you have the absolute best bang for your buck would be to upgrade your cables.

The Cardas cables you have are pretty good, but the gZero20 interconnect from KLE Innovations will give you more detail and clarity and a very much improved image and spatial isolation of the performers.

If that’s a little on the expensive side try the gZero3 - it’s also outstanding and by comparison to the gZero 20 will only be lacking a little on the details and clarity - but it’s still a superb performer.

They do not come with a ground wire, but that can be a very simple fix by using a small gauge wire from a store like Radio Shack and a couple of spades on the end. Personally - I prefer a separate ground wire anyway.

Replacing the RCA plugs on your existing cables will also provide many improvements if replacing the cables is not an option.

My recommendations for RCA’s are the Silver Harmony or the Absolute Harmony. The Pure harmony is very good RCA , but for that little $extra you can get the Absolute Harmony for the very best performance

Here are the links to my reviews...
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-klei-silver-harmony-rca.html
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-klei-pure-harmony-rca.html
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-klei-absolute-harmony-rca.html

These RCA’s really raise the performance level of any cable to its utmost best - you will be amazed! But the break-in period is quite long.

The KLE Innovations cables and RCA’s are extremely neutral and exceptionally dynamic.

Regards...