I think the better use of funds would be to buy more of those double-45 RPM albums; I've got several myself, and the sound is amazing no matter what they're played on. Of course it may sound better with more expensive gear, but I could say the same thing to somebody with a $50K system. But those double-45's will remain as great as they are.
Hardware or source materail
Hello –
The following is for context.
I am an old guy. I grew up in the days a Mac 225, AR3a, EPI, Phase Linear. I have only recently stopped working full time so I bought the following for my small office listening area, about 12x12.
Debut Carbon/Ortofon Blue
CA AXR100
Denon 600NE
KEF LS50
B&W 8” 300 watt Sub (sealed)
I mostly listen to orchestral, Steely Dan, Miles, Brubeck, Krall, Botti – you get the idea. I also am season holder for LA Phil and Hollywood Bowl so I know what “real” music sounds like.
My little system may not be to everyone’s taste but I find it fills my little space well.
Here is the quandary:
Like most, I am always thinking about the next “upgrade” for improved fidelity. Don’t need loud or to fill big space. However, I just purchased a half-speed (45 RPM) Brubeck and was absolutely astonished at the dynamic range and sound quality. I believe that what it is telling me is that with the right input the hardware I have is maximized.
Obviously, a $7K amp and equally expensive supporting components would be even better. But how much better? Is the investment in better source material a better use of funds? After all, that will always be available if the hardware is improved. You can buy a lot of $60-150 vinyl records (or CDs made from masters) for the 15 to $20K hardware cost.
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@sbsail9 some of these answers look on the right track - yay. Much more bang-for-buck in improving your music source whether that’s vinyl or cd or drive-stored mp3 / WAV etc. (I don’t stream, so no comment there). If you know real world live sound and the LS50’s get you close enough to that in your genres to be happy, kit swapping upstream of your speakers will probably be narrowly incremental at best (unless the good old friend of upgrade-itis and sighted comparisons in real time is your method for comparing amps, DAC’s etc. then each change may sound “night vs. day” for sale of bias etc.). I prefer a live sound, and not one that requires lounging in a single position/seat (not much of a “live” experience doing that IMO); tested and adjusted my approach and compared it to hundreds (literally) of other HiFi setups in like-sized and smaller rooms over a number of years, took the opinions of dozens of other folks from all walks, and I’m pretty convinced that once you get the speaker x room sound to your liking and music files that’ve been mixed and mastered in a form that ticks your aural boxes, you’re set. Upstream kit-swapping at that point becomes a pursuit for shop-a-holics and OCD victims more than folks who aim to let tech be tech, and enjoy a musical experience. Determine what “close enough” to real music means for you, and then rely on speaker x room and music source file (be that vinyl, cd, mp3 etc) to be the pair of variables that get you there in-home. $0.02 plopped on the table |
I own that TT and it'll turn out some pretty sweet sound... but... the Ortofon Blue is the bottom rung cart. I upgraded to the Red and the difference took about 2 measures to be obvious. I recall it was about $90-120. So really, with such low hanging fruit, IMHO, regardless of source etc, it's a must-do. Enjoy your system! |
This is not a simple question to answer in general terms, if possible at all. My instinct says to first improve the source, this includes and can be the first step to get the best quality records/discs possible. Yes, your cartridge needs upgrading, you could also consider better outboard phono stage, your turntable is alright. Personally, I always look for the best pressing when buying records. They are sometimes difficult to find in excellent condition and often not inexpensive. It is also not always easy to find out which pressing is best without directly comparing. And, do you clean records well, the difference can be night and day ? |
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