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
 

I am conscious of the price disparity I am planning between the table, tone arm , and cart AND the phonostage. I'm a younger dude with a lot of life (and audio) ahead of me. So that gives me plenty of time to one day upgrade the phonostage when I see fit and not divert funds away from the deck and cartridge.

I've experienced the benefits of a phonostage upgrade when I went from the Schiit Man 2 to my current Darlington MP-7. Some of my records sounded harsh with the Mani while I haven't encountered such a sound with the MP-7.

safebelayer
66 posts
 

Phono stage will most definitely make a huge difference. Write to Dan Wright of Modwright about a demo price on his PH9x. Super quiet and black background.

grislybutter
2,988 posts
 

serious question: with all the recommended phone stages, what amp/preamps are acceptable choices?

let's say 

Parasound JC3 or any @audioguy85  listed

bpoletti
1,552 posts
 

I think you have found a good bang for the buck set up.  The phono stage should work OK for that cart.

thecarpathian
4,356 posts
 

"I’m a younger dude with a lot of life (and audio) ahead of me. So that gives me plenty of time to one day upgrade the phonostage when I see fit and not divert funds away from the deck and cartridge."

Wrong again, @j-wall.

@chocaholic , no point in a logical back and forth with him. I tried it. He is impervious to facts.

 

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