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Help a vinyl newbie improve his rig

Hi everyone,

Over the last few months I've been experimenting with vinyl and tubes for the first time, and, well you know the story…I've left my CDs and solid state amps behind and am loving the beauty of analog sound on tube gear. I've got an integrated and speakers that I'm very happy with (Cayin SP10a and Wavetouch Grand Teton Gen2), so I'm looking to take a step or two up the ladder with the turntable and phono amp. Currenly I have a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon and a Vincent PHO-8 phono stage.

So, my guess is that the turntable is the weakest point and that to make a jump in sound I should be looking at 'tables like the Rega RP6, VPI Scout Jr. Clearaudio Concept, etc. From the few reviews I've read, the Vincent seems to be a solid phono stage (even though I'd like a tube phono stage in the future).

I'm not asking for specific recommendations on 'tables, but rather trying to get a feel for the most important first step in upgrading the vinyl sound quality.

I appreciate any thoughts you may have.

Best,
Scott
smrex13
rushton's avatar
rushton
2,430 posts
 
Scott, as you evolve your system, consider making each step at least a "double-step up" or greater. The tables you mention are in that range, but you might even consider holding off until you can make a tier further up the latter move. Keep in mind that major differences will show up in the quality of the tonearm, and cartridges have large tonal balance and resolution differences.

For any of your gear, consider buying used rather than new. Used prices will be 50% less than new on average. Many of us have had good success building systems over time in this way.

Good luck in your journey!
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Rushton offers great advice and I think that you are headed in the right direction.

What concerns me is that you make no mention of your current, or future, phono cartridge. A phono cartridge is a transducer, just like a speaker; it converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. A properly matched phono cartridge and turntable that is quite modest will sound much better than a poorly matched set that is more ambitious, so you should really consider the turntable and cartridge as one system.

Welcome to the monkey house.
schubert
4,867 posts
 
Do yourself a favor and just buy a simple cork Mat. or better yet a Herbies's TT mat from Herbies Audio Lab.
That alone should keep you happy for a year anyway.
There is nothing wrong with what you have, and as Vridian said, you need to get up to 1500-2000$ range to hear much difference. And unless you are listening to acoustic music i.e, jazz or classical it would just be a waste of money anyway.
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