Wish to Upgrade Phono Stage and Cart

So, you liked the sound of the Yamaha cR820 with your front end better than the Allinic? If so, I would stop at this point and analyze what is going on. If I read the situation correctly you like lower resolution warm sound of the old Yamaha. In this case you are in the wrong camp with the Allnic. You would not want to upgrade that unit, but replace with a warm alternative… more info would be required to go further. Speakers, what did you like about the Yamaha, etc.

I am probably losing half my braincells every hour but I couldn't figure out what your story and dilemma is. Seems like you have the top of the line of everything and two of each. Good for you. Always buy the more expensive option, it will most likely sound better.

I have a Goldring Ethos SE cart. For $2500.00 it is an amazing cart. I have a Goldring Eroica XL cart on my P3. It is a great pairing. As for phono stages, I Have a Saturn Audio on my main system with a Marantz clear audio table, and the basement is a Charisma Audio unit.both paired well with the Goldring cart.

@desalvo55 

The Aphelion 2 is a massive upgrade from the Apheta 3 and I can't understate the word massive. I have listened to this combo in a very high end system and it is very good. The P10/Aphelion 2 will exceed many much more expensive analogue front ends - outstanding value for money.

If you have a P10 I would strongly recommend the Aphelion 2 over the other options simply because you won't have to wrestle with VTA adjustments on the Rega arm which can be difficult because you have to remove the arm and use spacers when you use non Rega cartridges. 

Then look at phono stages to match the Aphelion 2.

Regarding the Yamaha and Technics turntable, I simply added the Allnic phonostage to the aux input of the Yamaha just to see what a modern day high-end phonostage would sound through my vintage equipment. I might keep it there.

So I’m in the market for another phonostage. This would replace the Allnic H5500 that was positioned in my main system. The digital side of this system really sounds great and I’m not going anywhere with that.

I would not characterize the vintage eqiupment paired with the Allnic phono ’warm’ but certainly not as detailed as my main rig. Perhaps it was nostalgic but in a good way and performed far better than I expected.