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help guide a vinyl newbie

I am just getting back into vinyl for the first time since college and could use some expertise from this knowledgeable group.

My current setup:
McIntosh 275 Mk IV
ARC LS 5 Mk II
SF Cremona Auditors
Black Cube SE
Denon DP47F
Ayre CX7

I am going to be upgrading my turntable and phono preamp over the next couple of years, but as I am hoping to “do it right once”, I can not afford to do it all at one time. So my question is: should I upgrade the TT and cartridge first and then the phono preamp or vice versa?

Since it will be a couple of years between purchases, I am hoping to gain the biggest upgrade in sound first.

I am planning to buy the ARC PH7, Rega P9 and a cartridge to be determined later respectively if that helps.

Thanks in advance for the advice!
annika
sidssp
1,077 posts
 
The DP47F is a very good table. Assuming it is in perfect working condition, you might not even need to change it. I will definitely upgrade the phono amp first.
annika OP
30 posts
 
Thanks for the reply. I had the table checked out when I had the current cartridge installed (Dynavecotr 10x5). They gave it a clean bill of health.
slvrtravel
43 posts
 
hi- consider buying an arc ph5 used on audiogon for around $1500--it'll give you plenty of thrill and most of what you get from the ph7 and lots of leftover money for mo' better vinyl
annika OP
30 posts
 
slvtravel, funny that you mention that.... one of the thoughts that has been running through my head has been to buy a PH5 and use the remainder to upgrade my cartridge on my TT. The concerns that I have are that there may be a considerable difference between the PH5 and PH7 as well as am I putting "too much" cartridge on my existing TT. Did you compare the PH5 and PH7 before you purchased yours?
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