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So what would you recommend for my next upgrade?

I'd be interested in your thoughtful recommendations for my little system. With some recent help on "tuning" the speakers, it's beginning to sound very nice. But, you know, there's always room to grow . . . or spend money. Equipment list is as follows. So what's my next step . . . uh I mean investment?

Analog Front End:
Rega Planar 3 turntable
Sumiko Blue Point Special cartridge
Connection to phono amp: MIT cables (ancient, no network box)
NAD PP 2i phono preamp
Connectors out: MIT MI-330 Plus interconnects

Digital Front End:
Rega Planet
MIT MI-330 Plus output interconnects

Amp:
Bryston B-60 integrated
Bottlehead Foreplay preamp is available
Zu Julian speaker cables - 12' (can go to 6' now)

Speakers:
Thiel 1.5s

Notes:
Own 4000+ vinyl records and growing continuously
Own 100 CDs and growing slowly
Set up for near field listening
Room under construction - will tune it when that is done

Thanks!
dancub
dancub OP
82 posts
 
Mesch - I upgraded my Thiel 1.5s (which I loved) to 1.6s. frankly, I was shocked at the richer sound. Didn't anticipate it to be so distinct. I have some high freq hearing loss so the border line brightness that Thiels have is, for me, just right...at least that's my theory. And on the suggestion of several folks here, I'm trying out a Jolida phono pre. Hoping it will be a clear step up from my NAD. It arrives Friday. Oh yes, I also checked the set up on my TT and found it off quite a bit (level & stylus pressure). Sounded markedly better...duh.
dancub OP
82 posts
 
Ptss - I did replace my older MITs with inexpensive Blue Jeans cables which made for a much easier routing scheme...but there wasn't much difference in the sound. As I've mentioned before the MITs are a real pain in my set up.

My Tonearm was rewired with Cardas a few years ago. I'm wondering if I should be considering using Cardas from the TT to the phono amp for consistency?
mesch
3,524 posts
 
Congrats. I also have some high Freq loss. Make many speakers that sound overly extended to some sound fine to me. I have liked the Thiels I have heard.
I think you will enjoy the Jolida. Many gain/ load options for your Bluepoint. After some experimentation, please let us know what you think.
dancub OP
82 posts
 
Mesch, thanks for all your help. The Jolida was supposed to arrive today but the weather here in NH is . . . well, the weather. Spent the day cleaning records. Excited I am.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,483 posts
 
There is no such thing as an investment in this crazy hobby.. If you need to upgrade, fatten your wallet...the good stuff is expensive. If you make minor upgrades to this and that, you will never be satisfied, and spend way more money...exactly what I did.
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