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Guidance on cartridge options or new table

How much is too much?  I own a Luxman PD 151 Mark II turntable and a Luxman EQ500 phono preamp.  I purchased from a dealer end of December and it has about 100 hours on it.  I have the Luxman cartridge that matches the system and goes for $2500. I have them connected using XLR’s. My system consists of Burmester 218 reference amp, 088 pre amp by Burmester, Wilson Alexia V speakers. For streamer I have a Grimm MU1 and a Nagra Tube dac with separate power supply. After acquiring the new amp and pre amp in February my digital side sounds terrific and find my analog set up to be the weak link.  Based on this set up  where do I reach a point of no return purchasing a better cartridge?  Should I be looking at a new table and cartridge?  Would a new cartridge significantly improve the sound? I primarily listen to Jazz and some classical music along with rock. 

Thanks for your assistance!

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tablejockey
3,978 posts
 

You're listening to reissue LP's which essentially are equivalent to a file/CD.

The digital setup is "better" than your table setup, so a different cart/table investment might be what's the bottleneck is? Phonoamp is competent. 

Until a certain level of table/cart is acquired, you may not hear the nuance of an 50's pressed "golden age"  Jazz LP vs a file? Digital is pretty much caught up with LP playback in most areas.

If you're listening to 80'-present Jazz, it's likely been originally recorded digitally. 

I'm not a digital convert, though it's great when listening to a proper setup.

I'm sure there are other possibilities, which will be mentioned.

 

 

faustuss's avatar
faustuss
11 posts
 

Burmester has turntable and cartridge options, I wonder why you didn't look there first?  SME would also be worth considering as well as many others.  Upper tier cartridge brands like Ortofon, Audio Technica, Clearaudio, Hana etc.  Maybe you should check with the people who brokered the sale of the rest of your system for guidance.

rsf507
2,374 posts
 

Trying to match or better the Nagra/Burmester setup will take more than a Luxman 151. Look into a Feickert or SOTA or Basis or Kuzma or SME. To make it even simpler mate with their own arm. Lots of choices that if done and setup correctly will put a smile on your face. 

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