Best investment; cartridge or line stage?

terry9

@elliottbnewcombjr "don’t even listen to inefficient speakers if you know what’s good for you"

I advise working very hard to find efficient speakers you love, they are out there. Don't even listen to inefficient ones.

That will keep the needed power down: less: cost/size/weight/heat and it will increase placement options of amps, especially integrated with a need to receive signal from a remote.

Importantly, low power needs allows a much easier way to try tubes.

More competition exists at lower power needs, thus more competitive prices, and more used choices.

mijostyn

1. don't even think about changing the Tonearm.

2. change the cartridge NOW

3. evaluate existing Phono Stage with new cartridge.

done for a while

4. After research, after advice, after saving money: TRY a 'new to me' Phono Stage, with RETURN Privileges.

Existing Phono Stage equals or beats it? (as I suspect it might). Send it back, Oh Happy Day, done, or save some more money, try another 'new to me' with option to return.

Of course the cartridge will wear out, but it will DEFINITELY sound BETTER immediately, thus the easiest and quickest way to improve the vinyl chain.

5. New TT. I strongly advise tonearm with removable headshell or option for a future second arm especially if into Jazz.

Thank you for clarifying, Elliot, but can't say that I agree with you on much of that.