2. analog
  3. 190217-5300

New preamp or up grade my cartridge and or phono amp?

I have an Emotiva XMC-1 with a Rega P6 TT a Rega MCFONO phono amp and a Rega Ania cartridge. If I'm running the Emotiva in the "reference mode", would it make more sense to up grade the cartridge and phono amp (maybe even the tonearm) or add a new preamp with a HT bypass

thegreenline
thegreenline OP
35 posts
 

Add on question. I understand that my AV preamp is a kind of jack of all trades unit what I don't really understand how a preamp would change anything if I'm using the reference mode on my AV preamp?

soix
9,456 posts
 

Preamps matter, and they matter a lot.  They are often called the heart of a system for a reason, so dismiss it at your own risk.  A good stereo preamp should significantly outperform your prepro in any mode and would probably be the first thing I’d add/upgrade in your system.  Just my $0.02 FWIW.

ghdprentice
6,945 posts
 

@soix

+1

Given your current selection, I would start with a good quality preamp, then move to a better phonostage.

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