The best way to start adding A=analog to my system
When I started this hobby, I never thought I would need a turntable, so I didn’t think about phono stages etc. That changed with a recent listening session. Vinyl just sounds better to me so now I am trying to figure out where I need to spend, where I can go cheap for the moment. Should I balance all parts at the same level or begin with one great piece and gradually upgrade around it?
For context, my current system has:
Blumenhofer Genuin FS2 speakers, Art Audio PX-25 power, Audio Research SP16L pre-amp. I have a Ayre Cx5 CD player/DAC and an MD-90 tuner.
For turntables, I have auditioned Pro-Jects Xtension 9, Rega P3 and the Clearaudio Concept. I am planning to listen to the Clearaudio Performance next and based on what I have read and heard, I think that may be the answer. but that is a $2k step up in price. Part of me is thinking just get the better table and maybe the Tracer arm and start with cheaper cartridge/stage for now, vs matching things that are more within budget and then having to change everything later.
What makes the most sense?
@audioguy85 scrollng back through. not sure how I missed your post before. I hadn’t seen the Tavish Design Classic, so I am going to check that out in addition to:
On the Pro-ject, it seems like changing tubes will be annoying, and for no good reason. Hagerman seems ridiculously straightforward in every way. Plus buying direct feels less wasteful.
Thanks! |
@saulh yes, it does seem to be a pain in the butt to change out the tubes on the DS2, as there is not much of the tube sticking out. However, it does sound rather good as is. The Tavish is very easy to change out the tubes. According to Scott at Tavish, the center tube position will respond the most to any changes. I placed a vintage NOS RCA 7025 gray plate there. In the first position is a GE 12au7 bought from Kevin @ upscale. It is said to be the quietest 12au7 available. In the third position is a vintage NOS 5751 Sylvania with disc getter. The sound is outstanding. I do use a SUT with it, so I’m utilizing the MM section. I use the Jensen Mc- 2rr L. Tavish actually uses the Jensen transformers inside the more expensive Adagio phono preamp. The Jensen Mc 2rr L was designed with the Denon 103 in mind. The Denon has similar specs as the Hana EL that I’m using, so the Jensen works well. I have not heard of the Hagerman, but I’m sure it is good as well. Back to the DS2, it received many positive reviews and can't be beat for convenience, as far as setup and making changes to the settings. It's all right on the front panel, so no dipswitches, load impedance is achieved with the turn of a dial. Plus you can run two turntables if you want. The one I have has the eucalyptus wood side panels and the the black faceplate, looks great! |
You gotta grow into vinyl. Getting a big enough library can be very expensive these days and so I find myself listening to digital for long periods, then short bursts of vinyl for a few days/weeks, then digital, etc. So I suggest not investing the farm initially. Get "decent" - I have an Ortofon 2M Black cart and it's got a nice sound. Avid Pulsus phono preamp. |
As I have gone through this process, here is what I think I am learning so far about setting up an analog system. I know it's like a chain, where all of the links have to work together, but I don't think all of the elements have equal priority. In terms of building my turntable/analog "chain," I would put the links in the following order: 1-phono stage because you can have it for a long time and it dictates the signal that gets sent to the pre, so I think get the best you can afford; 2a: turntable: I am still not convinced that the actual turntable makes as much difference as people think, especially when you get to a certain level. It seems that the object of a turntable is to be passive and transparent--to not corrupt the signal, so those differences get small quick, but otoh, turntables can last forever, so whatever difference they do make is potentially permanent and that makes them more important to get right; 3: cartridge -- I go two ways on this, because cartridges are the origin point of the signal coming off of the vinyl and they determine what you have to work with, but they are by definition temporary, so they are tough to build around, and their performance can differ substantially depending on the type of record or music; 4--tonearm/internal wiring. similar to the turntable, the tonearm is an ancillary component that in terms of sound quality works best when you don't experience anything from it at all; 5--interconnects. the difference between wirings seems overblown; 5--stabilization platforms. I could see this making a difference, but can't put it ahead of the other things on this list; 6--power conditioners. this seems to have the most snake oil potential. But what do I know? tell me what I got right, if anything and where I am missing something. I know you all will and that's why I love you folks... |
OP,
That is pretty good, I think you are taking away the right stuff. . But the table and arm are really important. I just had my Linn LP12 sub chassis replaced… it was a fabricated metal plate that was replaced with a solid piece of metal with different diameter holes drilled in it (the Keel) to dampen vibrations… had a surprising large effect. So, it all matters. I fiddled with sub $2K turntables for a couple decades. They sounded ok. Then I got my first audiophile table the VPI Aries… and a ridiculously expensive cartridge.. the Van den Hull Frog ($2.5K?). I just dropped my jaw… the table just completely got rid of surface noise.. it just disappeared.. pops and clicks disappeared into the background. The cartridge just picked up levels of detail I could not imagine was possible.
Today, I own a Linn LP12 with a Koetsu Rosewood Signature cartridge (~5K). I put a Silent Running Audio Isolation platform under it ~(3K). I also upgraded my tone arm to Line’s top of the line toe arm (~5K)… wow… greater solidity and detail.
But you are definitely correct… without a fantastic phono stage, you are not going to hear it. Without my Audio Research Reference 3 Phonostage… I would not hear all the incredible improvements in my TT. |
