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Vinyl System Upgrade Path Recommendations

Hey gang! New to the forum but I’ve been really enjoying reading through old threads. I would be interested in the community’s thoughts on a natural upgrade path for my system.


Current System:

  • Pioneer PL-530 w/ Audio Technica AT 13 Ea
  • Apt Holman Preamplifier
  • Eico ST-70 (using as a power amp, line in)
  • Totem Arros


I listen to a wide variety of genres but with an emphasis on jazz and more recently classical. Overall the system performs well. I’m getting a good warmth for my taste and decent detail.


Moving forward I’d like to pull a little more clarity and separation out, but not create a clinical reproduction. I do dig the warmer sound. I’m also interested in trying to reduce background noise and pops/clicks. I’m already big on cleaning my LPs which has helped a ton, but I’m curious where to invest next.


I’ve also started listing more on headphones (Schiit Jotunheim + Hifiman HE400i) where I notice even more background noise.


So what do think? Better stylus / cartridge? Different TT? Alternative phono stage? Cables… ?


I try to be conservative with my spend (everything I own was purchased used), but I’m not afraid to shell out where appropriate.


Any suggestions? Thanks!



128x128designtaylor
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@yogiboy - ah right, just the stylus, that's good value, thanks! 
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,669 posts
 

I think honestly power conditioning as lowrider mentions is not going to be your best budget spending option and you should really focus on the bigger improvements for your system at the level you are now. before spending $1000's on power conditioning. mind you, you should have some basic filter and surge protection. but that's easily done for under $100.

 you'd have to invest $500 and up to get into vacuum / sonic cleaner and still need to buy the towels or vacuum (if sonic) to dry them after. the spin clean is actually very good start I use one myself for quick cleaning.

really you have a $89 cart that's your weakest point IMO then phono stage and pre-power. A better cart will track better, give you more detail give you better pop and tick smoothing and better over all musicality.

 I recently looked for a temporary phono stage in the $500 range and found the ifi iphono2 to be one of the best for the money, good place to start looking anyway $499ish. if your thinking of replacing your pre-power then don't spend the money on a separate phono stage now and get one built in to the preamp- integrated- etc.

I mean we can talk room treatments, power conditioning, etc. but you need to work on the basics first then move into the finer details as experience and funds come available. That said there are a few room treatment things you can do for next to no money. for headphones room treatment is a non issue of course unless you can treat your ear canals but I digress.


designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@glennewdick - Great feedback! Really appreciate the guidance and prioritization. The dollars per result tradeoffs are tricky (and I'm sure personal taste factors in), but your points are well taken. 

I'll probably start with cart, seems like one of the more obvious weak links. The phono stage in the Apt Holman seems to be well regarded by some and certainly made a huge improvement over the integrated one in my Eico, but I'm very curious to hear what an alternative sounds like. 

Better cleaning equipment and basic power management after that. Down the line, new TT, amp, speaker, cables, etc. ;) Rinse and repete. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,771 posts
 
Start with improving your source. I would dump your front end altogether. If you don’t, noise and clicks and pops will always be an issue.
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@noromance - by *Front End* I'm guessing you mean the TT as a whole? Or is the phono stage included in that?

I don't want to throw good money after bad buying fancy carts for a problematic TT, but I'm also not sure I'm ready to upgrade it (which I'm guessing would still have me purchasing a new cart as well?).

Other folks I've talked to have said that even an entry level pro-ject, u-turn, or rega would run circles around my old Pioneer but I'm somewhat skeptical since my previous table was a modern Audio-Technica AT-LP120 (I know, I know, not the same class) and my vintage Pioneer outperforms that thing on every level. 
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