A somewhat mixed bag of e-pions, all of which appreciated. To upgrade the Scout would cost at least a grand to scoutmaster status without any motor control (why don't motors just do what they are supposed to??) and then perhaps the Ginko thing adding another 300 or so. All told about 1,400. OR sell the Scout netting perhaps 1,200, take another 1,800 (400 more then upgrading)buy the Spacedec and perhaps have a much more worthy table including an arguably better tonearm then the JMW 9. The JMW9 design is terrific but is a bit 'loose'. Fundamentally isn't the Aires table about the same as a scout but perhaps heavier etc? That cost would be well over the Spacedec. A lot to consider in light of the dollars getting so close.
BTW... wouldn't that Ginko achieve the same great results used under any non-suspended table? I admittedly do not have the best base now under my table although one is on the way.
I'm of the mindset to just keep the same cartridge for now. I'm not sure any real money is there in selling a 'used' cartridge... they're so delicate I'd be afraid to buy one used. I've no doubt there are better ones but just how much better for the amount more I'd have to spend. I'd probably save that upgrade for on down the road.
The Anthem phono stage is tubed but if you look inside, there isn't much there in terms of gizmos and wiring. I'm no engineer but the inner workings of it compared to the insides of others (ARC, Sonic Frontiers etc.) is pretty simple. I know there are mods that can be done to this unit and the cost is relatively slight compared to buying a 1,500 to 3,000 phono stage which seems to be the right playground for an improvement phono stage wise. Do mods make sense for that, given there probably are a lot better parts that could have made up the unit.
I don't see myself out of solid state for a pre as I've just one system which has to double for the theatre too. Although I have added another Anthem amp with a tubed input stage for my mains which was a totally worthwile buy.
Still, it seems like everything sound wise has to start at the source. The better the sounds start, doesn't it make each and every other component in the line's job easier to extract the most? If so, the table has to be crucial I'd think.
BTW... wouldn't that Ginko achieve the same great results used under any non-suspended table? I admittedly do not have the best base now under my table although one is on the way.
I'm of the mindset to just keep the same cartridge for now. I'm not sure any real money is there in selling a 'used' cartridge... they're so delicate I'd be afraid to buy one used. I've no doubt there are better ones but just how much better for the amount more I'd have to spend. I'd probably save that upgrade for on down the road.
The Anthem phono stage is tubed but if you look inside, there isn't much there in terms of gizmos and wiring. I'm no engineer but the inner workings of it compared to the insides of others (ARC, Sonic Frontiers etc.) is pretty simple. I know there are mods that can be done to this unit and the cost is relatively slight compared to buying a 1,500 to 3,000 phono stage which seems to be the right playground for an improvement phono stage wise. Do mods make sense for that, given there probably are a lot better parts that could have made up the unit.
I don't see myself out of solid state for a pre as I've just one system which has to double for the theatre too. Although I have added another Anthem amp with a tubed input stage for my mains which was a totally worthwile buy.
Still, it seems like everything sound wise has to start at the source. The better the sounds start, doesn't it make each and every other component in the line's job easier to extract the most? If so, the table has to be crucial I'd think.