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
sandthemall
544 posts
 

+1 for the Technics 1200G. It is definitely a buy once table. It looks great in person. Would love to see it go head-to-head with the SOTA. If I didn't get the Technics, I would have gotten a SOTA.

 

boothroyd
365 posts
 

While I’ve been away from this thread from work travels, I notice a lot of discussions regarding the pairing of cartridges to phono preamps concerning price ratios.

IMO, such discourse should mention the output of the phono cartridge being suggested.

While I’m not intimately familiar with the OP’s Darlington Labs MP-7 phono preamp, I feel an expensive high output cartridge can yield positive results when used with a modest phono preamp better than opposite scenario with low output pickups.

Just my $0.02 worth.

kennyc
1,508 posts
 

Although the OP originally stated he did not want to change his preamp, seems that suggesting an upgrade to match the level of his turntable and cartridge is simply trying to help him achieve better sonics. Pointing out weak links in the audio chain seems helpful and not disrespectful of his original position.  Respectful criticism with the intent to help the OP seems like a good thing.  

More to discover