2. analog
  3. 182013-176828

Need advice for upgrading my analog setup

Hello,

I got into records 2 years ago and have been using ProJect Carbon Debut Evo with a Sumiko Rainier cartridge. It has served me great as my first table and a way to see if I would enjoy playing records. Well I do enjoy records. And my dad gave me all of his records too (he's a CD guy but never abandoned his collection when vinyl fell out of vogue).

Anyway, I'm planning to upgrade my entire analog setup and I'm very much a buy once , cry once kind of person. I'm looking at a SOTA Sapphire, Origin Live Zephyr tonearm, and a Soundsmith Zephyr Mk.III cartridge. Is this a good combination? Are there any other combinations of gear in the $6k range I should consider? I try to buy American as much as I can. I've looked at VPI but I like the look of SOTA much more.

Oh and I'm using a Darlington Labs MP-7 phono preamp that I'm happy with and don't plan on replacing.

Thanks for reading and helping me out.

thefrator
thefrator OP
3 posts
 

@mijostyn - I had not heard of this cartridge but I'll look into it and consider it. Truth be told I'm not in a super huge rush so delaying the build a month or two to fund that cart doesn't seem like too bad of an idea.

@ghdprentice and @tablejockey - What are some worthy phono preamps in this price range to consider? It's possible I'll save that upgrade for further down the road to keep my upgraditis satisfied.

 

 

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

The Voice is the next and last cartridge up the Soundsmith high output series. It has a Ruby cantilever and Soundsmith's best stylus. 

slaw's avatar
slaw
21,601 posts
 

Going with the SOTA eliminates a need for expensive or additional isolation.

brockwired's avatar
brockwired
53 posts
 

I have a SOTA Sapphire with an Origin Live Silver tonearm and SoundSmith The Voice cartridge. Love it. The Silver is one step down in the lineup from the Zephyr tonearm.  I need to upgrade my phono preamp. 

eddiechanghk's avatar
eddiechanghk
28 posts
 

@thefrator hello I also upgrading my vinyl system and I agree with @ghdprentice phono stage and cartridges are equally important just like the table. I tried over 10 different brands over the last 2 months (half of them auditioned in my own system) and I found Parasound JC3+ a good contender in its price range. Enjoy ! 

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