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Thoughts About Turntable Upgrades

I hope everyone is having a good Saturday. I'm sitting here listening to CDs because at the moment my digital playback is simply better than my turntable. The Audio Mirror Tubadour DAC that I purchased a few months ago is simply outstanding when paired with my old Cary 308. This leads to my questions/musings about turntable upgrades. 

I got back into vinyl a few years ago and purchased the Rega P3 with a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 preamp as a starter kit. I upgraded the cart to a Denon 301 II, which was big improvement for me. Looking forward, I'm leaning heavily towards a Sota Sapphire. I want a US made table only because I'm interested in having a US based system. The Sota seems like a good fit because I value sound that is more laid-back and I'm looking for a table that will emphasize warmth, soundstage, presence, solidity. That's the best I can offer in verbally describing my goal. I'm frankly looking for something that will top the Tubadour experience! The Rega is good, but after a few albums my ears are a bit exhausted.

Here are my questions:

Do y'all have any thoughts on my leaning towards Sota? Any other recommendations? Is there any reason to start with a new preamp rather than a new turntable? If so, what are your recommendations? 

I'm interested in your responses to these questions, but also any other suggestions as well. Let me have it! 

 

rblondeau
pindac's avatar
pindac
3,186 posts
 

The following is a Copy/Paste of a post I made to a recent Thread where similar info to what you have requested was inquired about.

"As a Pre-Planner for anything you may choose to bring into the system at a later date.

I suggest that you spend some time learning what might be a good structure to mount your TT on.

There are endless options at varied costs. My experience is that very attractive results are able to be created at not too much monies, using Items that can sell on quite easy, if investigations are showing that support devices that used are being superseded.

Getting the Support Structure to a place where it is undoubtedly perceived as being Optimised, can have a impact that will create the impression a New Turntable >Tonearm is in use, when recollected for the sonic produced on a previous method of support. 

Such an Optimised Structure should prove its value to any future endeavours."

I hope this as a response to your inquiry has a content that is off interest to you.

yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,903 posts
 

The SOTA is armless so what arm are you going to use with the SOTA?

pindac's avatar
pindac
3,186 posts
 

Do be aware that the Digital Source you have is going to be very difficult to surpass with a Vinyl Source.

Also the DAC you are using will from my experiences, substantially benefit from being seated on a Support Structure that is very suitable for a TT support. Valves in a device, be it a Source Ancillary, Pre-Amp or Power Amp, benefit from a support structure that works for the improvements in management of transferred energies. 

The E88CC Tube in the DAC, will 'if exchanged' for a late 50' - early 60's Tube produce a quite unique DAC, that will also transform into a extremely impressive performer.

I myself have gone down this same route with a DAC and Phonostage.

I have also met a few who have gone down this same route, and when discovered their preferred Valve from this era are completely sold on the exchange.

I am yet to personally meet an individual who has changed to E88CC's from said vintage, who come out of the experience believing there is another option that can better them, or wishing their earlier used Valves were reinstated. 

The additional attraction of your DAC, is that the Valve options are not limited to E88CC only.

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