2. analog
  3. 1064785054

Advice wanted on mid range setup

Hi,

Having heard an SME 30 setup blow away a DCS elgar digital at Sound by Singer last year, I am finally ready to get back into analog. (BTW, it was an all out assualt: All boulder electronics, into the JM labs grand utopia using a chesky reissue lp against the same recording on CD. It only took about 10 seconds to come to the conclusion, it was by no means a sublte difference)
My idea was to see if I could find software, stating this weekend. So far, after 2 days of hunting, I have about 70 lps. Cost: Zero.

People will just give this stuff away, amazing. So, I am humbly asking the advice of the analog denziens here for ideas on a rig that will be of matching performance to the rest of my system.

Currently, I have ARC electronics (LS16 MK2, VT100 MK3, CD), running through audioquest cabling (diamond X3 silver balanced interconnects, Caldera Biwire for the speakers) Speakers are Martin Logan Ascents and room treatment is by ASC

I Would like to spend an upper limit of $7,000, including phono stage (tubes, if possible), arm, TT, cartidge, and interconnects. I would be looking for used stuff here on Audiogon, with the possible exception of the cartridge. I have some reservations about buying a pre owned cartridge: is this a valid fear?

Thanks in advance for all you help.
rlips
rlips OP
105 posts
 
Thanks for the ideas, I have been following some threads here and the Teres seems to come up a lot. Question: 65 db of gain seems like an awful lot to ask of tubes, I assume that careful selection of the actual tubes is a big consideration, microphonics and such must really come up as a big issue here. I can here the voice of Doug Frey, one of my EE professors at Lehigh, "take as much gain up front as you possibly can..."

The ARC ph3 seems to be the one in my price range, but that has only 54 db of gain. I will have to look into the Aesthetix model.

R
twl
3,251 posts
 
Your professor is correct. Get the gain up front, for the lowest noise floor.

You will need to have good, quiet tubes in the phono stage. That is a must.
rbirke
144 posts
 
I bought a used Linn LP-12 with Ekos, etc. 2200
New T Kable 400
New Lyra Argo 1200
Mana Stands (part new part used) 650
NOS Mullards for my Rogue phono 300

So I guess I have 4800 wrapped up into this new/old habit. And I am psyched. It sounds fabulous.

If I were to buy an outboard phono, I'd probably go for an Aesthetix Rhea at 4K. If I weren't a tube guy for my pre, I'd consider a Linn Linto, as it matches well with the LP-12.

With all due respect to TWL who knows a ton about all things analog, I don't see how you are going to get into a Teres rig with a 901 and an Aesthetix phono stage for under 10k. Maybe I'm missing something, but the IO alone will blow your budget, even used.

Good luck and have fun.

Rich
sc53
720 posts
 
Rlips--you can most certainly use the ARC PH-3, because you add its gain to that already provided by your preamp. You will be fine with the PH-3. Used they are about $900. I use that phono pre with a BAT VK-30SE, but previously used it with an ARC LS-15--plenty of gain for a medium output moving coil.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Rbirke, I suggested a 501, and that the IO would require a stretch of budget. They can be had for about $2700 used, if you look for awhile. You are right, it would cost considerably more than his budget. But it would be a one time buy, and he'd be set.

And if he selected the Teres 255 instead of the 265, he'd save $900 right there and still get a hell of a good table. Heck, my 245 is a hell of a good table, and a 255 is better than that! A 255, OL Encounter, Shelter 501 rig would be only $4900 retail. This would leave $2100 for the phono stage, which is only about $600 shy of getting a good used IO. I think we are getting pretty close.

If he could get a dealer to cut him a 10% discount on the arm/cart combo, then he'd only be about $400 shy of the IO. If I know audiophiles like I think I know audiophiles, the $400 hurdle is capable of being overcome. I know I was willing to eat hot dogs for awhile to get my new amp!
More to discover