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Need Help with System

This is my first post in the Analog forum so have patience. Looking to get back into Analog sometime this year or early next so I am looking for ideas from you seasoned analog junkies out there. I have a "beginners" rig from AudioAdvisor - HW19 Jr with RB300 and a now defunct Blue Point Special cartridge. The phono pre is/was the “VAC in the Box” with the upgraded power supply. This was going into a Golden Tube SEP preamp. After extensive upgrades the front end is now all dCS gear (digital inputs only). I will be most likely be getting the Grieg (an upgrade to the Purcell with phono and analog inputs) from dCS when it comes out later this year. So for now the analog rig sits idle. I have about 350 albums in storage and would like to listen to them again. My budget for the entire analog rig (up to the Grieg) would be about 2-3 K total – new or used.

PS – No - I am not going to sell the dCS gear so don’t ask…. :-)

Cheers, Dan
dan2112
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,150 posts
 
If I understand your system, you will be digitizing the analog output from the phono stage. If this is the case, then I'm not sure it makes much sense to substantially upgrade your turntable. I would recommend not spending more than $400-500 on a new cartridge (Grado, Audio-Technica, Shure, etc.) and paying alot of attention to cartridge setup and turntable isolation. Exacting setup and superior isolation can reap big time sonic benefits at a relatively low cost. Long-term I recommend you upgrade te phono preamp (or get a preamp w/ a good phono section). They can be had used for less than $1,500.
dan2112 OP
144 posts
 
Onhwy, Well yes and no... At the risk of offending all the analog lovers here look at http://www.dcsltd.co.uk/News/ces2001.htm The Grieg will convert the phono input directly to a 24/192 digital signal and then feed it to my Delius. Or as you suggest I can use a Phono pre and then go into the analog inputs as the Grieg has both phono and analog. I have not heard this but I am sure it will be of very good quality given dCS’s professional D/A and A/D products. I will of course audition this at home when it comes out later this year. But I do not want to focus on the dCS gear. I would like opinions about obtaining the best possible sound near my budget.
doug28450
199 posts
 
Dan2112, The SAMA that I spoke of is the Stand Alone Motor Assembly that VPI has for the HW-19 series turntables. After reading some of the posts after my first and some of your additional thoughts you should probably go with the cartridge replacement. As previously noted, Lyra is a good choice as well as the Benz-Micro line. Both make a variety of cartridges in varying price ranges that offer very good sound and performance. If you make the decision to stick with the phono pre, I use the Pass Aleph Ono. It is very flexible as far as cartridge loading options and gain adjustments go. It has recently been replaced by the Xono so you will probably be able to get a used one for around $1500 if you watch the used listings. If you choose to continue to "digitize" the analog signal then spend the money on a tonearm. Upgrade the turntable as spare cash allows. Good Luck, Doug
dan2112 OP
144 posts
 
Well I see I offended at least one person with my last post. If I offended anybody please accept my apologies. However my focus of this thread was intended to be the improvement of my existing analog rig and not getting into a debate about the merits of "digitizing" the analog signal. Doug I thank you for clarifying the SAMA acronym – much appreciated. I have heard good things about the Pass Xono. I can always bypass the dCS gear and use a conventional preamp too. – Dan
sean
6,231 posts
 
Dan, don't worry about negative votes. Post your honest opinion and let them learn to deal with it. It's not your problem, it's theirs. You'll get over the "shock" of seeing negatives REAL quick if you continue to post on this forum. Sean
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