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Some Direction Please......

New here as an active member, but have read through more than a few threads over the past year or so.
I've finally taken a bigger dive (have a Mac 1700 hybrid) into tube electronics in the form of a Rogue Audio Cronus Mag II integrated. 
As I plan on dusting-off my LPs which have been ignored for some 15 years or so due to 'married with children' limitations imposed by my spouse, I need some suggestions/opinions on where to best spend my $$ considering where I'm presently at with gear.
Though I still have some old Yamaha SS separates from the late 70s, I plan on doing most of my future listening with the Rogue (all stock tubes but already I seem to have developed a new perversion of the dreaded I-must-buy-stuff-for-my-stuff disease manifesting as laying in different flavor tubes though I presently know little about them) and a pair of recently acquired Harbeth P3ES speakers. I have an old Ortofon MC 20 cartridge (actually two of them), and a previously owned low hour Grado Statement Sonata is on the way. Turntable-wise, I have on hand an old Yamaha PX-2 tangential and a Denon direct drive. I think that I can suffer along with either of these tables for the next year or so though the Small Audio Manufacturing tables have caught my eye.
I seem to have reached some type of vapor lock in making the next most cost-effective addition to my system. I presently feel/think that a good phono stage should be my next area of attention though I may be way off base here. My latest feverish 'idea', is to buy something like the Rogue Ares tube phono amp or a step up transformer like the Coincident Statement or one of 'Bobs' SUTs. Am I crazy for even considering this based on what turntables etc. I have at hand? Seems the more I read the more confused I am. I still have my old SS Yamaha C-2 pre-amp which has a built in MC and MM capable phono stage, and the Rogue has what's supposed to be an improved phono input albeit for high output cartridges only. Perhaps I should just buy a 'more better' high output cartridge, use the Rogue's input and upgrade my table/tonearm?
I'm spinning hopelessly into not doing anything for fear of wasting a lot of money (for me anyway) and not realizing much of an improvement. Opinions/thoughts please.

leoniruii


leoniruii
terry9
2,333 posts
 
Completely agree with ultrasonic record cleaning. In addition to immediate sonic benefits, it prolongs stylus life.

When you upgrade your analogue system, the correct order is turntable (for sonorous sound), tonearm (for repeatable adjustments), step-up transformer (if you are getting into LOMC), and then cartridge. I did it the other way around, against expert advice, and wasted too much money.

Thing is, cartridges wear out. Styli wear; suspensions wear, etc. The other three components set you up for the duration, and they don't break. Spend your money there first.
rbstehno
1,435 posts
 
I used to have the rogue Cronus magnum II with the kt-120 tubes,  wry nice tube amp. Heads up, if you have 4 ohm speakers, make sure you change the internal wire that sets up the rogue to 4 ohm load, it made a huge gain in driving my Usher MD ii’s. 
For the Grado cart, I’d use the the internal mm phone preamp of the rogue. Btw: I tubed rolled  all the tubes (except the kt-120’s) which improved the SQ.
if you want to use the MC20, get a step up transformer. But im not sure if I would spend the $$$ to use the mc20, I’ve owned both the Grado and the mc20 in the past. 
In the end, the rogue just couldn’t control the bottom end (a little wobbly bass) so I went back to SS. For tubes, with the better tubes for the preamp and phone, the rogue is very very good

leoniruii OP
14 posts
 
Thank you all for your comments. I was beginning to think no one would as I am certainly not in the stratosphere realm with my components as many of you seem to be. 
A few things I didn't mention. I do have a Loricraft record cleaning machine which is very similar to the Keith Monks device, though I've yet to use it as the plinth was ruined by exposure to moisture. I need to get around to building one out of some figured cherry or oak. I have the woodworking  equipment and knowledge - just not the time.
Also picked up a 'Spin Doctor' record washing set, my thinking being that for any extremely neglected Lps (and a few of my older ones) I might acquire down the road, I'd run them through the Spin Clean first and then go over them with the Loricraft. I totally agree with ultrasonic cleaning being the current state of the art technology.  I do happen to have a fairly large ultrasound machine designed and used for cleaning mechanical device assemblies (disassembled carburetors, jewelry, etc.). I  had the kind of mad idea of mating the Spin Clean and it for LP use - a sort of 'red neck' approach for sure. It is large enough to accommodate an LP - even has thermostatically controlled heating function. I might just try some old LPs I got from a neighbor. Even have a bunch of 78s laying around somewhere. What's to lose?
The subwoofer suggestion has also crossed my mind, and again, I have a custom built stereo transmission line unit (uses two KEF B-110? drivers) that was used in my solid state system where I bi-amped it and  a pair of modified Infinity Infinitesimals as satellites with two Yamaha B-2 power amps. It utilizes a custom crossover that's passive on the top end and active on the bottom. Perhaps I could send the Rogue's fixed output to one of my old Yamaha B-2 power amps to use this for lower end enhancement.
Cables are another story. I just have some old braided Monster Cables that were run to the Infinitesimals. No modern power supply or wowie- zowie interconnects between components. I could use some recommendations here for sure. As I've been basically in audio suspended animation for 15 years or so, it sure is a shocker to see some of the prices for cables, power conditioners, etc!!
Thanx again everyone, and if inclined, keep the comments coming.

leoniruii OP
14 posts
 
rbstehno;

I've already picked up some Brimar, Mullard, RCA, Raytheon,and Sylvania 12Au7s. The latter three makes all long black plates from the 50s. Been thinking about some Telefunkens as well perhaps for the 12AX7 slots.
What have you used?
terry9
2,333 posts
 
"Redneck ultrasound..."

Around here, we call that DIY, and it is much admired. I use a similar setup. I highly recommend the US spinner from Vinyl Stack - it's a very well made, fairly priced item, made expressly for the purpose. Get a spare handle and a record stand while you are at it.

There are several threads on the subject here, one of them current, and a very large thread on DIYAUDIO. Lots of good information to start you on your way with a minimum of false starts.
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