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Analog Upgrade - Where to start?

I am looking to upgrade my LP playback system.  My current system is a mixed bag of new and old: SME 20/2 turntable (from about 2005), Kuzma 4 point nine Tonearm and the SME Series V Tonearm, Dynavector MC DRT XV-1s (retipped by Soundsmith), PS Audio Stellar phono pre.  I am looking to introduce more dynamic sound, detail (without edge) and musicality.  The rest of my system supports this end.  Any suggestions on where might be the best place to start the upgrade?
chilli42
chilli42 OP
111 posts
 
One problem I have had selecting cartridges in the past is that nobody seems willing to let you do a home trial … I can understand why. Each system and room is so idiosyncratic that I don’t see how you can select a cartridge without trying it in your system, especially those +$5,000 cartridges.  That is a lot of money to spend when you can’t know how it will sound in your system/room.  How do you overcome this?
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch
443 posts
 
I think you have to go with some generalizations to point yourself in your preferred direction.  As @mulveling describes earlier there are the vDH, A90, Lyra type carts and then there are the Koetsu type.  I would put SoundSmith somewhere in between that continuum.  If to have the right arm and phono stage you should be able to try those different types and see what you like.  Start used lower in the line and go from there?
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rauliruegas
13,105 posts
 
Dear @karl_desch  : The OP speakers  works at around 10 ohms impedance except for two peaks, one at the midrange resonance frequency ( 53hz. ) and one at 19khz resonance tweeter.

The 60.8 is really fine with those speakers and is very good design. Along the speakers exist two OP system subwoofers.

Main " problem "  seems to me is not down there for what the OP is looking for.

R.
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rauliruegas
13,105 posts
 
Dear @chilli42 : Do you already tested your 1s in both tonearms? in which performs the better? which impedance value are you trying? do you already tested the 1s with a different impedance values?

which protractor did you use for the cartridge/tonearm set up and which alignment are using with?

Thank's in advance.

R.
mglik
911 posts
 
The most gorgeous tube sound I ever heard was the Zesto Andros phono stage. The mid line Deluxe is their sweet spot and is very close to the top line just in one chassis not two and can only take two cartridges not four. I would have the Zesto but am very happy with my Atma-Sphere MP-1. Think the Zesto has a more delicious tube sound and can stand up to the phono in the Atma and even pricier ones.
And a destination cartridge for me is my Lyra Atlas SL. The one below Etna is also good.
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