2. analog
  3. 166435-98013

recommendation for a high end analog system

I never had an analog system until last month. I bought a 1989 SOTA TT with vacuum/Sumiko MMT arm/Dennon 103R retyped with elliptical/sapphire cantilever. My phono is Kitsune MK5 WBT that is amplified by Don Sach 2 tube preamp and Pass X350.5. My speaker are Sound Lab M545 ESL. The TT has been very   well maintained despite its age. It sounded very good until I heard my friend's system which has the same TT but with Lyra Skala cartridge and first generation Triplanar arm (Spectral pre/amp). His sounded noticeably clearer and fuller. What is the best way to get a noticeable improvement in my system without breaking the bank (or before I have to squint to hear the improvement). I would love to hear some wisdom from analog-philes.
128x128chungjh
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,984 posts
 
In the past, the hierarchy of importance in the vinyl chain was. table 1st, arm 2nd & cartridge 3rd. Atma-Sphere has stated that with his Triplanar could make a much less expensive cartridge sound better than an expensive cart on a lesser arm.

As far as the hierarchy goes, I think the phono preamp is as important as the Tonearm. IMO, I’d rather have a lesser cartridge on a great phono pre than a great cartridge on a lesser phono pre.

I don’t know about the 103 except it gets good reviews for being a budget cartridge. But it is no Lyra Skala. Nor is the MMT tonearm a Triplanar. I’d start with the arm and review the phono pre again to see if its up to the task. It may be good but I don’t know. Whatever the case, enjoy the journey
ghdprentice
7,127 posts
 
+1 to. @bkeseke 

good advice
thebrokenrecord
36 posts
 
A Triplanar is about as good as they get. I'd agree with artemus_5 and start there and I believe that would give you some important info on the headroom (or lack thereof) your phono preamp has.

You might also consider having your Denon modded. Andy Kim does great work in that department.

Also, GET BETTER RECORDS!
chungjh's avatar
chungjh OP
265 posts
 
I did have Andy Kim retip it with sapphire cantilever. My Kitsune MK5 phono stage does not have an SUT. When I crank up the volume with no music, there is some audible noise. I don't hear it when I stream music. So, may be I need an SUT like CineMag ahead of my phono stage as Jasonbourne suggested.
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
@chungjh

I looked at the info on your phono pre, and it seems to be designed for both low and high output carts. Thus, you should not need a SUT. Perhaps I am looking at the wrong model, but there only seems to be one MK5.

Typically a SUT is most often used when you use a phono pre designed primarily for high output carts with a low output cartridge. Or, you buy a high output MC cart (when offered) to use on a primarily MM pre.


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