Rhea Signature vs. ARC PH-7

My experiences show that in general, no, you will not re-coup the money invested on upgrading these two Aesthetix units. Who knows? Maybe you get lucky and find a buyer who would pay...doubtful, but always a possibility.

I'm curious, you say that your systems 'sounds good to you', you say that you are 'not wealthy'. So now I'm curious as to why you are looking to spend so much money.

As for the JMW 9 arm, my knock is not just on the arm, but on the table too. Search the archives, you will find that there are many who think the JMW 9 is a terrible arm. I am not one of them, I think it's a nice little arm and the Scout/Master are very good in their price ranges. However, if you also search the archives, you will find many who also believe that in analog, it is better to run a expensive table/arm with a cheaper cartridge than a cheaper table/arm with an expensive cartridge. I do agree with them in this regard.

When I moved up from a VPI HW-19 mk IV w/ JMW 10.5 arm to a Basis 2800 Signature w/ Vector 3 arm the difference was stunning. I could not believe how much blacker the background got. Bottom line, the JMW 9 is not a stable enough are to properly track a $5K cartridge, IMHO.

When putting a system together, I feel that proper balance is the key to the best sounding systems. Just as you wouldn't want to run $3000 speakers with your $16,000 amps, you also don't want to put a $5K cartridge on a $3K table/arm. I've had $5K and even $8K cartridges, but I had them on a $20K table/arm.

So to follow your original post idea, say you get the Rhea and Calypso upgraded to Signature and a Dynavector XV-1s. Now you have a great cartridge, phono stage, preamp, amps, but the table/arm will stick out like a sore thumb as the weak link in your system. You won't really know what the XV-1s is capable of until you try it on a good arm like a Triplanar or Graham.

If you are happy with the sound of the standard Calypso, Rhea and Delos, I don't understand why you have to spend more money. Just enjoy the music. Buy a couple hundred more LP's instead. :)

Cheers,
John

Your comments are very interesting. Back in the day, I was told the cartridge WAS the most important component before the (what was then) receiver. If the cartridge is not top notch, how can it reproduce better sound? I mean the cart is where it all begins. I do know what you're referring to as far as sticking out or being the weak link. I learned about tonearm mass when I attached a Koetsu Urishi Black to a low mass arm. Pure crap! Perhaps this is what you are referring to. As far as my system sounding good, it's like a comparison I made to doing drugs. I'm not a user, but back in the 60's and 70's I did my share. In that day and mindset, one was always looking for the better high. Today it would be like better wine or a better car etc. I'm not one to consistently want to monkey with always having to have different equipment, but until you've heard a variety, which I have not, I will continue to experiment-a little. I can see those two pieces lasting a long time for me. I mean after you reach a certain level, (many will laugh at this-there are many pieces that cost more than my house and I salute those who can afford them) improvements in sound become minute. However, if you add several of these minute improvements together, sometimes you get a very discernible improvement. Concerning my "arm", are there great arms that will fit my table? I think I'm stuck as long as I keep the Scoutmaster. Have you heard or have any experience with the PH-7? One last thing. I learned that some of the best equipment may not be compatible. It can best in it's class, but "doesn't play well with others." There's this synergy thing I can't explain.

Concerning my comment about there not being any competent analog dealers in Nashville, if you're out there, please make your presence known. I should have said I know of none.

Hi, interesting post so far. What speakers, cabling and what's your room like? How did you set up your speakers?

I am kinda with John above (I'm a John to) maybe the table is something to consider. I've heard those Aesthetix units and they are great. Nothing to go wrong with there...just is there a better place....?

Curious on my question above and I'll post my thoughts some more...John F

A lot of thoughts have changed regarding audio advice compared to 'back in the day'. 'Back in the day' many were running expensive speakers with cheap little receivers believeing that amplification did not matter, the speakers were all that mattered.

You are right on the money regarding the law of diminishing returns, it kicks in earlier than many believe and hits hard. Yes, spending a lot more money usually gets you better sound. Whether it is worth the money to you or not depends on how much money you have and what other priorities you have in your life. It will be different for everybody, even different for the same people at different times.

For example, I upgraded for many, many years and had a system with a list price of over $120K. Due to economic and health issues, I have cut back greatly, my current system lists for around $20K. Is it as good as the $120K system? No. However, it does come a lot closer to it sonically than I care to admit. It certainly makes me think twice about upgraditis.

I have not heard the PH7, I have heard the PH5 and I have owned the ARC Ref 3 preamp, so I am familiar with the ARC house sound. I have heard Aesthetix gear, but I have not owned it, it does sound similar to ARC gear. From that side of the tracks (neutral tube gear), I've grown to appreciate the sound of VAC gear the most. These are all personal choices, and I could live happily with any of these brands.

Hey, in the end it is your money, and you can spend it anyway that you choose. If you believe that the cartridge is the most important part of the analog front end, go ahead and buy the Dynavector XV-1s, it certainly is a great cartridge.

Cheers,
John M.