Where's the next weak link in my analog chain?


Currently using the following: 

Mofi Ultradeck w/ MasterTracker cart
- Powered by AQ Thunder power cable 

Sutherland 20/20 mk1 with LPS (stock power cable) 
- Zu Mission mk1 phono from TT to pre, Zu Mission mk1 from pre to amp 

I don't have much left that I think I could do on this end before upgrading the table entirely. I'm curious where you would spend your next dollar? 

MC Cart
Phono cable
Interconnect 
Power cable to phono 

Beyond that I think this set up will be pretty well maxed out and it would be time for a new TT to start squeezing out more. 

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Also wanting that cart! On the fence about it, or getting a phono preamp. 

Cables are a tweak, not so much an upgrade. IMHO, lots of cost for minimum  return. Cart upgrade are usually much bigger steps. 

On the flip side, the more you spend on a cart, the most the needle replacement will cost! Got a new cart 6mo ago, a couple weeks into having it, was cleaning my TT, when finished caught the needle with the MF towel. Pulled the needle out!! Cost $500 to replace the needle. That really hurt! That's my dilemma with a $1k cart is the almost yearly needle replacement cost. 

What is the TT placed on?

This makes a difference in bass/balance/detail with my old Thorens and it uses a sprung suspension.

I use a specialty shelf that was discontinued ages ago (use one under the CD deck as well), but I’m not familiar with the MoFi (looks interesting though).

Anyway, aside from that I would try a different cartridge.

 

DeKay

@mswale 

That's my dilemma with a $1k cart is the almost yearly needle replacement cost. 

Yearly? How much are you spinning? Over 4 full albums per day? 

@dekay 

What is the TT placed on?

The Ultradeck comes stock with HRS feet which do a pretty good job, and I have the TT set on a VTI rack. 

Brother in law has my low hour Lyra Delos on same TT OP has, no shortage of detail or slam…. but i also have a lot of seat time with the Hana ML and as others have said it is a fantastic value.

Have fun !