2. amps-preamps
  3. 174317-119739

Should I upgrade my preamp/amp or my turntable?

I am in a bit of a quandary re my next upgrade. I’m still saving towards the budget of approximately $4500 AUD and this is my current system:

 

Project 1-Xpression III turntable with Ortofon 2m Black cartridge

Lindemann Limetree Phono stage

Lindemann Limetree Network streamer DAC

Musical Fidelity A3 CD player

Musical Fidelity A3.2 Preamplifier

Rotel RB-1582 Power Amplifier

Dynaudio Special 40 Standmount speakers on Dynaudio speaker stands

2 x REL T-7 i subwoofers connected via high level to power amp speaker connections

SMSL SU-8 DAC

SMSL SH-8 Headphone amp

Hifi system on dedicated rack and situated at one end of open plan living room with wooden floors but with open plan kitchen area adjacent with limited scope for room treatment due to WAF, however there is a rug and bookshelves with books, CD’s and LP’s down one side. Also plan on getting some acoustic panels soon from GIK acoustics for the wall behind the rack and speakers.

Listening is roughly 70% digital (vast majority streaming on Tidal) and 30% Analog (LP’s). Headphone listening probably 5% in total.

My question is this: what would I see more benefit from…upgrading my preamp/amp to something like the Luxman L-507UX (approx. $4500 2nd hand in Australia) or a MoFi Ultradeck with Ultratracker cartridge (approx. $4200 new in Australia).

I know there are other brands of amps/turntables etc but these are what I have my eyes and heart set on at this stage, and bearing in mind I’m about halfway to saving the money needed for only one purchase at this time.

What will give me the biggest bang for my buck in other words taking into account my listening preferences etc?

6 months ago I thought I was saving for a new turntable (old one will go to my teenage son)…but now I’m leaning towards an amp upgrade

Thanks for your thoughts and any input

 

whatsaftumch
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,520 posts
 

I'd upgrade the TT and cartridge first. A good TT is always a component that adds to the audiophile experience. Pride of ownership. Plus, next to loudspeakers it will give you the biggest change. 

ghdprentice
7,060 posts
 

I would definitely first upgrade the preamp… it effects all. I would look for a used Audio Research preamp at the top of you budget. Incredibly natural, musical, and detailed. Alternatives Conrad Johnson’s, VAC, Cary. The center of a great system is the preamp. Over fifty years pursuing the high end has taught me that.

 

At this time digital can equal vinyl (with careful selection and investment). So additional steps can be determined later. But regardless of what you choose your preamp and amp… and speakers are going to determine what you hear.

 

I love listening to my outstanding analog end (I have over 2,000 pristine albums)… but my digital sounds just as good… so I listen to it 95% of the time… with a nearly infinite library… Qobuz… at the cost equivalent to buying a CD per month.

whatsaftumch OP
27 posts
 

I probably should’ve worded my question better…sorry…my consideration is to upgrade both my Musical Fidelity preamp and Rotel power amp and move to a Luxman integrated…whilst I am sure the Audio Research would be a major upgrade on the Musical Fidelity I’m quite sure the Rotel would never do it justice and I would probably not be able to afford a power amplifier of the same quality for quite some time…wife and budget permitting…actually that’s sort of the same thing ;)

but I certainly appreciate your advice, and Russ69 too, many thanks to both of you

ghdprentice
7,060 posts
 

Audio Research just released an integrated amp for $5K the i50, or Luxman is highly regarded.

markusthenaimnut's avatar
markusthenaimnut
371 posts
 

A  Luxman integrated should be wonderful. I have a friend who has one of their very expensive integrateds (590? 509? Sorry, I don't remember which. It's about $9K USD list) and it sounds wonderful. A very beautiful piece of equipment, too.

More to discover