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Direction on my next upgrade

I am a year into my journey down the audio rabbit hole. I am enjoying all the incremental gains and enduring the miss fires. My system is as follows:

Rogue Audio Sphinx V2
Fluance RT85 with Ortofon Blue
Epicure M150's completely rebuilt with kit from Hue at Human Speaker.

I am trying to figure out the next step on my journey. I am considering the next steps.

1- send the Rogue back to be upgraded to V3 which has a much better phono stage($500)
2- switch to a MM in the $500-$750 range
3- switch to a MC cartridge
4- add a seperate phono stage under $1500
5- add a subwoofer to the party

I want to pick the one option that will give me the most improvement for the money. 

Thank you in advance for weighing in with you knowledge and opinions.

Charles
cpdkee
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
All the options you're considering have one thing in common: they are all spending money on expendable components you will inevitably lose money on when it comes time to upgrade. 

Things that will improve your system as much or more without ever losing any money because they will be used wherever you go forever: Synergistic Research HFT, ECT, PHT, Cable Elevators, BDR Cones. 

You are getting into a range where with some wise decisions its possible to find extremely high value components in the $3k to $5k range. That may seem like a lot, 2x to 4x what you're talking about. But really all it means is spreading it out over a longer period of time. This patience is rewarded by getting you into Koetsu, Raven, Herron, Tekton territory. 

You mention a sub. A sub is a bad idea. A DBA, four subs, is a terrific idea. For around $3k you can have SOTA bass. Most of us with a DBA are set for life. No desire to upgrade. How many can say that about their bass???  So a sub could be a good idea- if its phase one of four. 

Anyway that's my advice. Extract the most from what you have first, and only then look to upgrade what you have. See: mahgister.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
cpd, I would be inclined to upgrade your Rogue. If you listen to more dynamic music like Rock and Jazz you will not like switching to an inexpensive MC cartridge. MM cartridges are more dynamic and generally do better at the lower price levels. They will track better than inexpensive MC's  Consider a MC cartridge once you are ready to spend 2 grand. 
Subwoofers are great but you will need at least two. One just does not make it. Also you will need an active crossover with a high pass filter for your main amp. The crossover that come with the subs are IMHO pretty bad. Consider subwoofers when you are ready to spend about 4 grand.
cpdkee OP
31 posts
 
Thanks Millercarbon and Mijostyn. I had a feeling I might get that response. I am definitely interested in Raven audio as a future upgrade but not right now. I am glad to get some clarity on MC cartridges. Would I get any noticeable benefit from going from the $230 ortofon blue to a $750 ortofon black(also upgrading the rogue)? Wait a few months and upgrade my integrated?
mikey33_1
2 posts
 
Hi Cpd,

As a fellow Rogue owner (V3) with upgraded tubes, I would recommend the following upgrade options:

1. Upgrade your Rogue to V3. Change the tubes (Brimars from upscale audio or equivalent). Upgrade the stylus to Ortofon Bronze (black is better but you’ll save money and the bronze is noticebly better than the blue). Pair with Warfedale Linton Heritage Speakers (or Harbeth if you wanna spend more)

2. Don’t invest in upgrading the Rogue (For only a few months), get the Raven (or Prima Luna etc), Ortofon Black, and equivalent speakers.

Good luck on the never ending journey!

best,

-M
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