Sd,
Wow, a very thought-provoking response, I appreciate you taking the time. If I had to try to verbalize what's missing in my system I'd have to say it's missing PRAT. This element is absent whether it's CDP or analog I'm listening to, which is why I was looking downstream to figure out what can be done.
Your cable theory is an interesting concept and makes some sense to me.... I do use the same interconnect for my key source components (CDP and 'table) and I'm very pleased with them. I did extensive cable comparisons before buying the Ambiance. I know Maple Audio isn't as well known as some of the other brands in the market but they are very very good interconnects at a very resonable price. Not to say there aren't better out there but the Maple's are really nice wire. The other interconnects in use were hand-me-downs as my system evolved; since the tuner and tape deck aren't critical front end sources I figure the interconnect isn't critical either. Kind of a "don't care" thing. The pre to amp interconnect, well trying to find a reasonably priced 25' balanced IC was next to impossible so I bought the Goertz wire and connectors and made'em myself. The improvement over the single ended ICS I had previously was HUGE!
I know my cartridge isn't as esoteric as others own, when I bought it I was licking my wounds from breaking yet another pickup trying to install it. Damn I hate when I do that. The Grados have the threaded body, a true God send. I think the upgraded power supply for the Lehmann is a good suggestion and won't break the bank. I'll likely begin there then consider doing something about the pickup, although as you point out the Sonata is not a bad cartridge in it's own right.
When I posted this thread I expected a few comments, I very much appreciate everyone's inputs!
Wow, a very thought-provoking response, I appreciate you taking the time. If I had to try to verbalize what's missing in my system I'd have to say it's missing PRAT. This element is absent whether it's CDP or analog I'm listening to, which is why I was looking downstream to figure out what can be done.
Your cable theory is an interesting concept and makes some sense to me.... I do use the same interconnect for my key source components (CDP and 'table) and I'm very pleased with them. I did extensive cable comparisons before buying the Ambiance. I know Maple Audio isn't as well known as some of the other brands in the market but they are very very good interconnects at a very resonable price. Not to say there aren't better out there but the Maple's are really nice wire. The other interconnects in use were hand-me-downs as my system evolved; since the tuner and tape deck aren't critical front end sources I figure the interconnect isn't critical either. Kind of a "don't care" thing. The pre to amp interconnect, well trying to find a reasonably priced 25' balanced IC was next to impossible so I bought the Goertz wire and connectors and made'em myself. The improvement over the single ended ICS I had previously was HUGE!
I know my cartridge isn't as esoteric as others own, when I bought it I was licking my wounds from breaking yet another pickup trying to install it. Damn I hate when I do that. The Grados have the threaded body, a true God send. I think the upgraded power supply for the Lehmann is a good suggestion and won't break the bank. I'll likely begin there then consider doing something about the pickup, although as you point out the Sonata is not a bad cartridge in it's own right.
When I posted this thread I expected a few comments, I very much appreciate everyone's inputs!