2. analog
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Where to best upgrade - TT, arm or phono stage?

I have a decent analog source (Roksan Radius 5 table >> Soundsmith re-tipped Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood >> NIMA arm w/Incognito wiring >> Bottlehead Seduction w/CS4). The cartridge is a keeper and I must stick to the "MM" paradigm.

I am considering the new Bottlehead Eros phono stage, which I can afford by selling the Seduction and a few odds and sods.

Generally speaking from your experience, at my level of analog gear which upgrade would yield the best bang for the buck:

Table (this seems the most costly to upgrade, but many of you have more knowledge here);

Arm (a Roksan Tabriz ZI is the only true "drop-in" I know of for my table and a used one is available for $750);

Phono Stage (the Eros costs $500 more than the Seduction);
jb0194
bdgregory
1,710 posts
 
I have a Tabriz Zi and would recommend it highly. Are you sure it's the only drop in replacement though? It's Rega geometry and any Rega, Clearaudio, and other arms with Rega Geometry should fit.
jb0194 OP
476 posts
 
I don't know if arms other than the Tabriz will drop in. It'd be nice to expand choices that don't require major surgery.

I appreciate the feedback on the Tabriz ZI!
curio's avatar
curio
305 posts
 
The best upgrade is the MintLP .. than you can buy or change everything else :-)
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
you're fine.
bdgregory
1,710 posts
 
I don't know if arms other than the Tabriz will drop in. It'd be nice to expand choices that don't require major surgery.
looking at the picture of the Radius 5, it appears to me that ANY Rega form tonearm will be drop in compatible. If you shop for arms, they normally identify if they are Rega, or Linn standard mount (these are the 2 primary standards that have been adopted it seems). In addition to Rega, Roksan, and Clearaudio arms, Bluenote, Michell, and Origin Live arms are all Rega standard as far as I know. This leaves you many choices. I have tried the O/L modified Rega RB300, Tabriz Zi, and Clearaudio Satisfy arms. I like both the Tabriz and Satisfy more than the RB300, though there are many Rega derivatives to consider so my comparison is hardly representative of all Regas.
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