Please evaluate my system...


Interested in what you guys think of the following and if there are any obvious weaknesses:

- VPI Super Scoutmaster (standard)
- Denon DL103 with Paratrace retip
- Linn Linto phono stage
- Audio Research Ref 3 preamp
- Cyrus APA7.5 Monoblocks
- Focal Scala Utopia III Version 1

Not sure where to take the system next! Thanks, Tim

tim_field
Thanks all. I have a wood body on the cart and as mentioned it's been re-tipped. I do have some room treatment over at my parents house that I can try out however I'm not really experiencing any room issues so not sure it'll help. 

I'm looking for a larger soundstage if I had to be fussy about it. It's ok at the moment but I'm not blown away. 

I get the amps, if they're not handling sub 4ohm then that won't work well with the Focal's. 

Will take a look at the ART 9 cartridge as well. 



@tim_field, Regardless of any type of power conditioner used dedicated 20 amp circuits runs with 12 or 10 gauge wire depending upon the distance and ones personal preferences is a must in my mind if its a possibility within your home. That one change will improve the sound of your music. Good AC quality outlets are also important.
I totally understand that the origional question you asked was centered upon compoient upgrades however the foundation of any construction site is extreamly important.
I have stock DL103R cart in my system. My soundstage is wall to wall with excellent imaging and detail.

Just for comparison, my system is DL103R on Linn Axis table with Linn Basik tonearm, to Electrcompaniet step up transformer to Audio Research sp16 pre-amp (tube) to BEl Canto Ref1000m amps to OHM Walsh 5 series 3 speakers which has similar lowest impedance specs.

Take a look at the ref1000m amp specs online. You will see where this mates well to the ARC tube pre-amp (100kohm input impedance) and is also well suited to control and  drive the speakers well in that the damping factor is fairly high, which is a big + for the OHMs in particular.  

It’s impossible to know exactly what something will sound like without actually hearing it, but from what you indicate, were it I,  I would very much want to hear what a different amp perhaps better mated to pre-amp and speakers might sound like in your setup. I would expect better detail, more balanced tonality, lower distortion and larger soundstage going in.


Another cartridge, not that the one you are using is bad but a different prospective is always entertaining.