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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
grk
228 posts
 
Hmm...tough call. The Vincent phono has received a lot of praise, especially for the price. Your TT may be the "weakest" link. Getting a new phono stage would be easier though, since you wouldn't have to remount your cartridge. Try the PS Audio with their 30-day audition period and find out if it makes a big enough difference. Also in your budget are models from Modwright, Tavish Audio Design and the Gold Note PH-10.
For turntables, the Well Tempered Simplex MKII. Amadeus MKII, and some EAT TT models are also within you budget and are well reviewed. Good luck!
elliottbnewcombjr
5,592 posts
 
One idea I mentioned was to find a tube preamp with terrific phono, and get a SUT for your Hana

This full featured Scott just popped up on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/H-H-Scott-Type-130-Pre-amplifier-Super-clean-All-original-Telefunken-tubes/...
elliottbnewcombjr
5,592 posts
 
just have to tell somebody, I always check 'newly listed' for fun, this tube preamp just popped up, has 3 phono inputs

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dynavector-DV3000-Gold-Tube-Preamplifier/114721713663?hash=item1ab5f26dff:g...
johnto
1,031 posts
 
Don't overlook the Ayre P5-XE phono pre it's dead silent and will make your Lp's sound spectacular. It should be available in the. $1600 range used, a truly great preformer.
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
1,959 posts
 
I would 2nd (or N-nd) the idea to upgrade phono stage first. I think both the Pro-Ject and the Vincent (a SS stage with a tube buffer) seem like they’re not quite up to the level of your Hana ML. But upgrading the phono stage first would allow you to enjoy significant benefits immediately without even having to re-mount and adjust the Hana all over again.

Good tube phono stages (a real one, not just a tube-buffer built in) show up on the used market often, and they’re a HELL of a lot easier to ship safely than a turntable.

As for Classic-to-Concept I’m not sure that would be just a "lateral move" (I’ll take a Concept over Classic any day), though you should avoid the Clearaudio magnetic bearing arms (go for Satisfy or Tracer at least), and ideally I think you should strive for a bigger upgrade step like the Performance DC in that line.
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