It this a decent Phono setup?


I have the following items I’ve been using for spinning vinyl. The system sounds pretty good, but I’m wondering there is anything that would mate even better? 
 

- Denon DN-300F turntable (bought it modded with direct RCA outputs to use separate preamp).

- Ortofon 2M Red MM cartridge.

- McCormack Micro Phono Drive.

- Discovery Plus Four interconnects (2 pairs).

 

MAIN SYSTEM

Mark Levinson 383 integrated

Revel F30 speakers

Cardas golden reference speaker cables

 

 

 

jsbach1685

Yes, decent…

It appears that you have a pretty well balance vinyl set up. Nothing stands out as a real weakness. If you want to invest a little then you could get a better cartridge.

 

Longer termed, my rule of thumb is that each component (carefully chosen to be the best in class and compatible with your system and taste) will usually cost about the same. So TT, Phonostage, preamp, amp, DAC, Streamer. This is a useful way of looking at the whole system.

Looking this way, your Mark Levinson sets the level at $3K / component ($3K preamp + $3K amp). Therefore to get the very most out of your system a $3K TT and $3K Phonostage would be optimal. So, if you wanted to look into the future there is room for growth in your vinyl end.

Just a real rough guide. But typically over the last fifty years of upgrades I tend to end up in these proportions + or - 25%.

 

Sell the Denon. Get a Technics SL1500 TT ($1800) and a Hana SL mc cartridge ($750). Way better sound quality than your present setup.