I need your help. I have an ARC Ref 3, ARC 110, Vandersteen 5As, but no turntable.

A D103R?  Really?  Why not a REAL cartridge like an AT OC9/II?  The 103r can't compete at around the same price.  D103 was only EVER an OK cartridge in the 70s.  That's the 1970s.  It's now a cult cart of sub-mediocre performance.  Only after major overhauls by Soundsmith does the cart start to work up to it's original price point.

Despite Roberjerman's other wild and unfounded assertions, his Hana cartridge recommendation is a very good one - - very goo d performance for money, to be sure.  The Technics SL1200 is also a killer good table (and OK arm, too).  I use and like my ARC Ref 2SE for phono amplification - - it clearly bested the phono section in my VAC Ren Sig II.

... In fact the phono cartridge will have a bigger effect on SQ than any phono stage. 


Wanna bet on this one?

Happy Listening.

yogiboy & jperry: So my secondhand CJ Model 3 tube preamp is a piece of junk and I should trash it? Same for my ARC SP6? And my Trevor Lees? Just a few of my preamps! Used and not abused is the way to go! Best bang for the buck! Now where is my Mac C28? Oh, I sold it!

Snob appeal starts with 4 figure price tags. Truth!