Would love some thoughts on how to upgrade my gear


Hi all,

I have been a lurker here for a while to try to learn about this hobby. I only started to really get into it this summer. I had only listened mainly to computer speakers and car audio until then. I mainly listen to rock music, sometimes some acoustic stuff, but mainly rock. I exclusively listen to vinyl so that is where I want to focus all my energy and dollars.

As of right now I have a system consisting of Klipsch Forte II speakers (upgraded xovers from DeanG and Crites titanium tweeters), Rega P1(w/Denon Dl160 cart), and Fisher 400 (rebuilt by Craig Otsby).

I feel like this gives me a pretty nice sound as is but I have a real curiosity for what I am possibly missing. I have never really heard any high end gear so I don't know how mine stacks up. I also want to make sure that I don't get anything so analytical where the only thing that sounds good are audiophile recordings.

I first decided that I really need to upgrade my TT. I was thinking I would go with a P5, but am not sure if it is worth the extra money compared to a P3-24. Or if I should go in a different direction entirely. The one reason I wanted to stick with Rega is that my dealer will give me 80% back on my P1 as well as installing my cart since I don't know how to do that. I was thinking I would like to stick with my Denon cart for now.

So then I realized that I probably couldn't get all the performance of the P5 without upgrade my phono stage. So I then began to look at the Bottlehead kits. I have never soldered before but figured it might be fun to try to put their Seduction kit together. I wasnt't sure if this would be very good or if it wouldn't have enough gain for the Denon. Also, I didn't know if the seduction would really be a step up from my Fishers phono stage. I was getting really jazzed about trying out Bottlehead gear until I talked to my dealer. He said that SET isn't really the greatest for as it can be slow and has difficulty presenting rock music correctly.

I then was told all about Naim gear and he had me pretty convinced that it would really sound great. It was very intriguing as it sounds like some of that vintage gear can sound great and not be super expensive. Although I'm not sure how good it would sound with my Forte IIs.

So all in all, I guess I am kind of confused about what I should do. One minute I think I have my mind made up until I learn about something else. Or about some flaw of some gear I am considering.

I was just hoping to hear some opinions from those that are much more knowledgeable than I am. I'm sorry if this was a little long, I was just trying to give as much detail to work with as possible.

Thanks so much!
-Clipper
theclipper
Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm going to pick up the new 'table tomorrow. I am going to try and install the cart myself first. I'm thinking with a little time and patience I can do it.
Well I got my new P5 today. I was all excited to come home and try to install the car onto it. But then when I was going to take the cart off my P1 I learn that my roommate has destroyed the stylus! I am beyond mad right now, the worst part is that he won't even and fess up and admit it. What a class act he is.
I guess as an aside to that, I was wondering if you guys had any suggestions about a cart that might work well in system?

I have a P5, Fisher 400, and Klipsch Forte IIs

I am going to try not to go ballistic on my roommate tonight, but it will be tough.

Thanks all.
Ask your Rega dealer about a cartridge. You're a good customer and he is well placed to help with sound advice and pricing.

I'm sorry to hear about the busted Denon. Cartridges are delicate, of course, and this kind of thing has happened to many of us. That doesn't make it much easier to take when it does happen, but welcome to the club anyway.

It would be great if your roommate both fessed up and paid up, but of course he doesn't have to do either. Just a thought, but if your new cart had a removable stylus, you could take it out when you weren't listening and keep it where your roommate couldn't break it.