2. analog
  3. 1364597588

What to upgrade if at all

I have a TT system and a budget of $2000 cdn available for upgrades. I like 60s, 70s and 80s rock and pop. I listen to mainly vocal, male and female pop and rock. I also listen to digital: computer, SACD, CD using a Modwright Oppo 95 through my current system and am happy to make no changes to digital system:

I don't have any complaints about the analogue setup but just wonder if I can get more of a 'wow' factor by....upgrading TT, tonearm cable, tonearm, phono,power cords, room treatment? For a 2000 budget, where would you suggest I start?

Avid Diva II SP TT
Nordost Tyr tonearm Cable
SME IV arm with a Benz Micro ACE S cartridge
Allnic 1201 Phono
Modwright LS 100 preamp
Modwright KWI 150SE power amp
Trenner & Friedl ART speakers on
Custom Design FS 104 stands
Usher component rack
JPS Aluminata RCA IC from phono to preamp
Antipodes Reference cable between preamp and power amp
Antipodes Reference speaker cable with Bybee speaker bullets
PS Audio P5 regenerator on Nordost titanium kones
Power cables: JPS Analogue, Power AC, Kaptovator x2 and Black Sand Violet MKIIx2

Thanks in advance for the suggestions,
Happy Listening
lleall
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 


I agree that it seems the cart seems to after the most room for improvement. You would have a lot of good options in your budget. There are great Dynavectors for that money. ZYX too (and you may be able to get a trade-in cart from upgraders inspected by ZYX from Mehran at Sorasound).

That said, if you have no room treatments, I'd also look into those.
mosin
410 posts
 
I see you have an Allnic phonostage. Well, Allnic has a fantastic cartridge out now. They also have stepup transformers that are wonderful with it, from all reports that I've heard.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
5,112 posts
 
I agree as to the cartridge upgrade, but be careful of room treatment....most people overdo it.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Mosin,

IIRC, that Allnic phono stage has the Allnic SUTs internally already. Just read a great review of it at Dagogo.
peterayer
1,373 posts
 
For about $2K you can hire Jim Smith to come to your house and voice your system to your room. His service can make a profound difference. You can also consider buying a Vibraplane isolation platform for your turntable which I think is unsuspended. Barring those two suggestions, I agree with the others that a cartridge upgrade can also be very cost effective.
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