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Weakest Link? Your honest opinions.

Before I spend any more on audio equipment, I'd like some opinions on my current vinyl rig:

Nagaoka MP200 Cartridge (this I will be upgrading to a Zephyr as soon as possible)>

VPI Classic 1>

Blue Jeans BJC LC-1 RCA Cables>

Jolida JD9 Phono Stage>

Monster RCA Cables>

Marantz PM-68 Int Amp>

Canare 4S11 Star Quad Speaker Cable>

Kef Q55 Speakers (bi-wired)

Everything aside from the turntable/cartridge I've had for 5 to 6 years, and are my first foray into HiFi audio.

Just bought the Classic 1 recently, and I'm loving it so far, but I feel a better cartridge will really improve the sound. The Nagaoka was used previously on my Rega P1 (which I'm using in my office rig). I'm saving up to buy the Zephyr, but does anyone notice any other obvious faults in my system?

I feel like the Marantz and Kefs could be replaced at some point, but I wouldn't want to make a purchase unless I know it's going to make a significant improvement over what I already have.

Also, does anyone think some part of my rig might prevent the Zephyr from performing as well as it should?
narticus
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
The best thing to do is think over what you like, or dislike about various equipment you have heard. That is the way they sound.
For example: I am crazy crazy about perfect upper midrange to highs.So if the vilins and sopranos sound great.. I am very happy. I do not need much bass beyond clean.
So I worked at finding equipment which did what i wanted most.
Now my stuff while perfect in respect of what I want, might be lacking to someone else for whon slam was very important.
See?
If you KNOW what you like most.. it gets easier to find stuff which will please YOU.
Buying some stuff which pleased some guy whose needs are opposite yours is certainly the wrong way to buy equipment.
And for those who say buy the stuff which sounds real.. yeah, but if you are on a budget.. then the absolute sound is out of the price range..
So figure out what YOU like about what you have now. and what you would like MORE OF..
Good luck.

If you want a blanket what I think you could use..try a power conditioner...
tbromgard
787 posts
 
nice slikric-dick
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I think that you have a very nice rig and I hope that you are enjoying it. Since you don't mention power delivery at all, I will be an ass and assume that you have not attended to it. A Hubbell HI8300 outlet can be purchased for around $15.00 and will improve the sound over many older outlets. Likewise some modestly priced power cables would help, or better yet, build some yourself and save some money.

If you want to spend money on a component, the Marantz is what I would replace. Why? Electronic distortions are, to me much more irritating than the distortions in loudspeakers or analog gear, and having heard the Marantz, this is where I would start.

Good luck with the hunt and the quest, but most of all, enjoy your music on the way.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,286 posts
 
I'm with Elizabeth, especially with her recommendation for a power conditioner as a starter.
pops
1,847 posts
 
Hey ric doesn't look like you're setting the world on fire
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