Upgrade path direction


Due to a unfortunate situation with the plumbing in my finished basement (all of my gear was away and safe from damage) where my main listening system usually resides as I am working to replace drywall and carpeting I am also contemplating a gear upgrade for when I reassemble the room and my main 2 channel system rig.

 

Currently my setup is as follows:

Digital front end - Roon -> Node 2i -> Chord 2Qute

Analog front end - Pro-Ject Debut -> Schiit Mani

Linear Tube Audio Microzotl MZ2 -> First Watt Aleph J -> Klipsch RP-600M

 

While I would love to upgrade my speakers to something like a used pair of Zu Omen / Dirty Weekends or Wharfdale Linton Heritages Im not sure that is something I can convince my wife that we need.

 

So I have turned my attention to the Phono Preamp and the Preamp. Would an upgrade to a my phono preamp to something like a Sutherland or Musical Surroundings Phonomena II+ be a better option, or upgrading my preamp to an a used Audio Research LS25 or Cary SLP-98?

 

I'm thinking I would realize a bigger difference with the phono upgrade, but figured I would poke for opinions on here. As always, thank you for your time and comments!

 

 

128x128markf31

I am a big believer in having a really good Phonostage… but that predicates a great preamp. To me the heart of your system is the preamp… companies like Audio Research, Cary, and VAC make really musical high end preamps. I would start there. 
 

I typically begin an upgrade cycle with speakers (for a major system upgrade), preamp, amp. Then look at the analog and digital ends. 

I recently purchased  a Herron Line Stage, and the sound quality of my system took an enormous upswing. I found my phonostage was a lot better than I knew it was. Digital front end, too!

Regards,

Dan