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Which to upgrade first: Turntable or Phono Preamp

Hi, I just recently got back into vinyl about 8 months ago after switching to digital 30+ years ago.  My current setup is as follows:
 - Pro-ject Classic Turntable
 - Hana ML cartridge
 - Vincent PHO 701 phono preamp

I'm very happy with the Hana, but am thinking about upgrading either the turntable or the phono stage.   Although I'm not entirely unhappy with the current setup.   Just going through some upgrade fever I guess.   The question I have is which one do you think I should upgrade first:  Turntable or the Phone stage?

I'm thinking about the Clearaudio Concept turntable and the PS Audio Stellar phono stage, but I'm open to suggestion.   I'm hoping to spend under 3k on either.

Anyway, the real question is whether anyone thinks which upgrade will give me more bang for the buck: Turntable or Phono stage?

Thanks very much in advance.
128x128xcool
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
Table first. Sure a better phono will 'reveal' what the table is doing but it's harder to know what it is 'not doing'.

TT (new or vintage) at or over $2k is around where it starts to get serious...
dayglow
1,943 posts
 
You have a well balanced analog set up. Where do you think the weak link is? Not hearing the set up an educated guess would be upgrade the phono preamp.
big_greg
6,664 posts
 
So, just a bug to change something, I suggest you try a different cartridge.
Of the three items the OP mentioned, he said he's happy with the cartridge.  Besides that, it's by far the best component he has in his analog chain.  Even if he found something better, it's not going to be anywhere near its full potential on the entry level turntable he owns.

The Jolida JD9 is a noisy entry level phono stage that is not very well built. It's a decent entry into the world of tubes, and reasonably priced.  I haven't heard the OP's phono stage, but owned a Vincent integrated and the build quality and sonics were much better than the Jolida products I have owned (JD9, JD9 MKII, Fusion preamp).  A sideways move at best, more than likely a downgrade.

Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,103 posts
 
Dear friends: Who of you that are against the OP TT own or owned that same combination:

Pro-ject Classic Turntable
 - Hana ML cartridge          ? ? ?

Then if you owned then share your first hand experiences with the OP and if not why diminished it in that hard way ! ! ? ?

R.



sandthemall
544 posts
 
Get the Technics 1200GR.

If getting a phono stage first:
I like really like my Project phono box RS $1700 with outboard self-charging battery power supply. Has XLR outs, is very quiet and detail rich. It is dual mono...settings for both channels and can load capacitance down to 100. Also has 3 gain settings.
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