Thanks Allfor your input, l can see where you are all going!!Most of you are right, I pulled a few records, from my collection( most of my LP's are mint) most are new, played once or twice, I have a huge collection!!, yes most of you are right, the best upgrade is the "sound engineer"!!e.g. I bought a second copy of " iron butterfly, ball", it was made I think 1967, It was made and recorded in the US, I know this, as on the back of the cover, it has the name, and address of the owner, on a printed label, so this ended up here in Sydney, Aust, approx 20 years ago, guess what, not one tick or pop!, and the recording is great, great bass with nice high's??Just thought, I give a example, of how albums, should be reordered!!! .It seems there is a trend, for young people, to buy vinyl, maybe for the wrong reasons, to be trendy, may be they like "pops and ticks" ,and a cheap turntable, that's not "tuned" but I tell you, it is the best medium, by far, although, I have not heard a "tape reel machine"??I would still, like to know, more on you thoughts, about phono stages!!That has "balls and slam" without sounding harsh??Thanks againDavidAustralia