I'm in similar boat with my system ~ Shelter 501mkII / Nottingham Space 294 / Shelter Phono pre / arc DSi200 / ProAc D25's... From my experience (and your comments on the Groove) your current weak link is the phono section ~ you have proven your current TT/cart is capable of giving you what you want. And as your Ayre gear is resolving the limitations of the very good, but simply outclassed, Dynavector phono pre I recommend starting with phono pre upgrade and then next you can consider tweaking your Rega or changing tables... As for which phono pre; if not another Groove there are a couple Ayre P-5xe's listed on Agon in your range right now... Seems like a perfect match... For myself, I am planning an upgrade to an arc PH7 if the year end bonus comes through and I can find one on Agon at the same time... Happy listening
Phono Stage or TT upgrade
Ok gang, here is the current quandry. To upgrade my phono stage or my TT. System as of now
Dynavector D 17 MK II Karat ( love it and it will stay )
Rega P 25 w/ RB 600, VTA adjust and no other mods.
Dynavector P 75 MK I phono pre
Ayre K1Xe Line Stage
Ayre V3 w/ Rev 3 boards and Ayre Conditioner
Dunlavy SC-IV improved
I just sold a Tom Evans Groove + SRX and wish I had never tried it in the system. It was more explosive, coherent, deeper, faster and open than the Dynavector P-75.
I have a chance to do a change to a VPI Classic with the HXR center weight and keep using my D-17 MK II and P 75 MK I. Local sale and known seller. I love the Scout and Scoutmaster but have not spent any time with the classic.
The other option would be to upgrade the phono stage. I am not afraid of tubes but QUIET is an absolute necessity. I am just over chasing down a noisy 12AX7 or 6SN7 every few months.
Overall I am looking for more slam ,speed and dynamics than the current combo. My budget is in the $1500-2000 range and fairly strict at the upper limit.
Any ideas?
Dynavector D 17 MK II Karat ( love it and it will stay )
Rega P 25 w/ RB 600, VTA adjust and no other mods.
Dynavector P 75 MK I phono pre
Ayre K1Xe Line Stage
Ayre V3 w/ Rev 3 boards and Ayre Conditioner
Dunlavy SC-IV improved
I just sold a Tom Evans Groove + SRX and wish I had never tried it in the system. It was more explosive, coherent, deeper, faster and open than the Dynavector P-75.
I have a chance to do a change to a VPI Classic with the HXR center weight and keep using my D-17 MK II and P 75 MK I. Local sale and known seller. I love the Scout and Scoutmaster but have not spent any time with the classic.
The other option would be to upgrade the phono stage. I am not afraid of tubes but QUIET is an absolute necessity. I am just over chasing down a noisy 12AX7 or 6SN7 every few months.
Overall I am looking for more slam ,speed and dynamics than the current combo. My budget is in the $1500-2000 range and fairly strict at the upper limit.
Any ideas?
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- 10 posts total
- 10 posts total