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Where to start upgrading?

I've got the itch to start a gradual process to upgrade my setup, but analysis paralysis is setting in...

The receiver and speakers are less important to me as 90% of my listening is through headphones in a finished attic space with less than ideal acoustics.  My gut reaction was to upgrade the turntable and cartridge first and build around that "base".   I've been looking in the price range of ~$5-6,000 for the turntable and cartridge, but would a turntable upgrade have a low ceiling for performance improvement based on the other components?

My current setup is:

Turntable: Pioneer PL-560

Cart: Denon DL-110

Phono stage: iFi Zen phono 3

Headphone amp: Schitt Magni

Headphones: Sennheiser HD650

fignuts33
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,773 posts
 

This is my advice too for speakers :

As far as two channel in listening goes, I’d look into acoustic treatments before upgrading components.

fignuts33 OP
3 posts
 

Thanks everyone for the guidance! It looks like I've got to do some digging. "Plan the upgrade path".  It's so obvious, but somehow i missed it. I was definitely looking at it too singularly...

williewonka
3,131 posts
 

@fignuts33 - Well, having spent many years investigating and building cables, the only place I would start is with the cables.

WHY cables?

  • good cables convey the most delicate signals and deliver subtle venue acoustics
  • mediocre/bad cables introduce interference, which you will easily hear using headphones
  • good cables ensure the components are operating to optimum levels - they connect the neutral sides of attached components
  • good cables deliver the best image possible
  • good cables will deliver excellent dynamic performance

So - I would do the following

  • invest in s single run silver harness from the cartridge to the phono stage
  • invest in a good phono preamp - I prefer Simaudio Moon  phono amps - great bang for the buck
  • invest in great cables from the phono stage to the preamp
  • Only then would I consider upgrading other equipment

Good cables will allow you to really hear the improvements as you upgrade other components.

What are good cables?

  • Take a read of this thread Audiogon Discussion Forum

  • The cable companies I typically recommend include

    • Zavfino - there silver cables are great bang for the buck - very dynamic
    • In-Akustik - very quiet
    • Hijiri - excellent cables, but expensive

Regards - Steve

fignuts33 OP
3 posts
 

@williewonka Thanks for the information! I've honestly not put much thought into cables, but again this makes a lot of sense. I'm excited to dive into the research a little more.

This has been great! I really felt like I was floundering with the process. Although there's way more to analyze, I feel like I've been able to direct my focus through these responses. Thanks again to all!

lewm
13,738 posts
 

Better to think about what makes a “good” cable and why in terms of the physics. That is a thorny set of questions because it depends upon the nature of the output of the driver and the input of the driven component. In my opinion it’s a bit less critical for interconnects, except for phono and SUT, than it is for speakers.

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