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
chungjh's avatar
chungjh OP
265 posts
 
I just realized that with Triplanar, I can't close the lid due to the counterweight sticking out. There is a 10 yr old SME V on sale for $2999? What do you think? I talked to SOTA and they say SMEs were one of the most popular tonearms with SOTA. But, SME no longer sells the tonearm alone.
chungjh's avatar
chungjh OP
265 posts
 
@lewm 

I get your point about upgrading the innards of my SOTA and I am going to do that. Since it is best to upgrade the table and install an arm by SOTA at the same time, I am focusing on the arm. SOTA also likes Kazuma and Origin Alive.
dover
2,247 posts
 
@chungjh

You can get the SME V serviced by SME.
If you got the Sota brought up to date and the SME V serviced, you will end up with a great turntable/arm combo that should last you a lifetime and with full service records, be very saleable if you decide to sell later. 

bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,597 posts
 
@chungjh  👍🏼 Good to see you are going ‘all in’ on the SOTA. With the changes you are looking to make, you are well on your way to having a much better performing rig, and better sounding music. Then, a big decision on a new cart. And might want to reconsider your existing phono pre as well.
dorkwad
548 posts
 
Origin Live Illustrious II or higher would give you the more live sound with plenty of detail. After owning several different arms, I was able to find a used OLI II for under $900. It is a simple to setup arm and I’ve owned a couple different OL Silver II arms with good TT’s, along with a couple even better sounding arms than the Silver II. I used to have a Maplenoll Ariadne TT/arm which was excellent sounding. The Illustrious is a very good sounding arm that is a significant upgrade in all ways from what I had before. This new combo is the first one to dethrone the Maplenoll in SQ--much more dynamic and better clarity. I own a highly modified Lenco TT with much of Jean Nantais’ upgrades and mods. This is now a potent combination of superior dynamics, deep bass with definition, and beautiful, clear mids and highs--that is easy to use. I have a used Charisma Reference II cartridge that I bought for under $800 used slightly. I also have a Whest 3.0 RDT SE phono pre bought used for about $2350--dead quiet and very resolving without edge. I have a used TRL DUDE preamp which is absolutely awesome in all ways that I just got retuned with NOS tubes from Andy’s Vintage Tubes and the DUDE is now much livelier than it has ever been and the bass now has great texture--I bought it used and am the third owner. I now have a super DUDE with a couple mods I performed on it a couple years ago and the NOS tubes--much better sounding than the original.

Bob
More to discover