2. analog
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Next step?

I am looking for recommendations for improvements to my vinyl front end. I listen to different varieties of music, but mainly rock and jazz. I want my analog front end to rival my digital front end.

My current analog setup is a 90's vintage Systemdek I 960. This is sort of a rega planar 3 clone having a Moth 300 arm but a acrylic platter/subplatter and larger MDF plinth. I am currently using a Dynavector 10x5 cartridge but also have a Linn Adikt. I have re-wired the tonearm with Cardas wire and use a Kimber Tak H cable. I have added Michell tonearm weights and the Riggle VTA adjuster as well as the Herbie audio TT mat.

I have a PS Audio GCPH (Underwood hifi mod) as a phono pre. I use the balanced outs to a Pass XP10 pre and XA 30.5 amp. Speakers are Legacy Focus SE. My digital front end is Linn Akurate DS. I stream flac/wav files from a NAS.

I think I've basically tweaked out my current setup more than any reasonable man should. I was wondering if a new cartridge or a new TT would be the best next step (or both?) and if so how far do I need to go. For example, would a VPI Classic 3 be more of an upgrade than going to a Dynavector 20X2? Or would a Classic 1 or Rega RP6/8 be a significant upgrade? VPI Traveller? Well Tempered? Clearaudio?

I have been ripping vinyl using a HRT Linestreamer which is fantastic. This way I can buy vinyl and listen to it through the TT or stream it from the ripped file depending on the situation.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
karl_desch
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Let me apologize to you from our analog gurus' lack of contributions in answer to your question. I asked this same question in theory and got many more answers. I asked can you get great sound from a mediocre table with a really good crtridge? The answers I got at the time, (I know next to nothing about analog myself) tended to be that, you need a really good table to get the best out of a costly high end cartridge. So I will parrot that and tell you to get the better table/arm.
jjrenman
279 posts
 
To Mechans, Karl does not have a mediocre table. IMO the tables he is considering purchasing are a small step up from his current modified rig. However the improvement in upgrading from an entry level HOMC to a LOMC (with proper step up) is a much larger difference. The OP can not buy a "costly high end cartridge" for $2500 nor improve his TT tone arm situation all that much for that same amount of money.

I do not disagree with your statement "you nead a really good table to get the best out of costly high end cartridge" but the 10x5, although very good for the price, is hardly a high end cartridge and IME will not deliver a lot better sound on a better TT set up than Karl currently has.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Classic one with dyna 17d3. Less than cost of classic 3 and will be way ahead of what you have. Or a Sota Star with sme 309.
karl_desch's avatar
karl_desch OP
446 posts
 
Thanks Jjrenman, Mechans and Manitunc for your responses.

I was leaning toward a LOMC cartridge, like a Dyna 20x2L or a AT-OC9ml/iii but wanted to make sure I wasn't wasting time in the context of my somewhat ancient turntable. The logic being if the new cartridge didn't get me to where I want to be then I can always mount it on a new TT/tonearm.

I received several LPs in the mail today. One was a new release from The Knife. Its a 3LP set that included the album on CD! I like it how labels/artists are recognizing our mixed digital and analog needs.

Other experiences are welcomed. Was your analog quantum leap a new table or a new cartridge or some other tweak?

-Karl
jperry
2,468 posts
 
I had a Rega P-25 turntable with a Dynavector 17D3 cartridge. My progression in steps was:

1. Purchase of an older Basis 2000 TT with a Basis modified Rega arm
2. Changing to a Shelter 901 cartridge
3. Changing to a Basis Vector 3 tonearm

One of the most significant changes was the last change to the tonearm. It was a stunning change that I did not expect. I think most in this hobby have made changes to their systems ands said "I think that sounds better", but this was a change where I said, "I can't believe how much better this sounds."

So in short, each of the changes made a difference, that I could hear for the better, but the quantum leap was the Basis Vector tonearm.

I hope you enjoy your quantum leap as much as I have enjoyed mine.

In the meanwhile enjoy all of the small changes along the way.
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