Advice for upgrading my system

First, your TT, don’t dismiss it too easily, people like it’s arm, I found this about it:

"I have a review of the DD40, from a series of brief tests of a range of "Super Turntables". These were tested in the late 70’s - not sure of the exact date, but it was either 1977 or 78.

ADC Accutrac 4000 Rumble -38dB unweighted, wow&flutter 0.065% WRMS, platter resonance poor
Denon DP-1700 -39.5dB, 0.05%, platter resonance fair
Hitachi HT-840 -43.5dB, 0.046%, platter resonance poor
JVC QL-7 -41.5dB 0.045%, platter resonance fair
Linn Sondek LP12 -58dB, 0.03% platter resonance excellent
Luxman PD-131 -45.5dB, 0.042%, platter resonance very good
Marantz 6300 -43dB, 0.06%, platter resonance good
Micro Seiki DD-40 -42dB, 0.055%, platter resonance excellent
Mitsubishi DPEC-1 -40dB, 0.045%, platter resonance fair
Pioneer PL-550 -42dB, 0.048%, platter resonance poor
Technics SP-10 -46.5dB, 0.04%, platter resonance very good

The Micro Seiki DD-40 was about the level of a Rega Planar 3 for rumble, and slightly better for wow and flutter.

.................

The tonearm resonance for the DD-40 with a Denon DL-103 was almost perfect - about 9Hz, and only a 4dB peak, which is excellent.
.................

By the same magazine, the 1981 test of the Technics SL-1200MkII gave the following figures:
rumble -36dB, wow and flutter 0.04% weighted peak (no mention of platter resonance, but it probably isn’t as good as the Technics SP-10). Note that the wow and flutter test for the SL-1200 was tested to the world standard that came in for the 1980’s (peak weighted), and so can’t be compared to the earlier figures, but it was excellent, and probably better than many in that test. It wasn’t as good as any of the others for rumble, although as many of the others were higher priced, that’s not surprising. It was about the same as the Rega Planar 2 for rumble, and was very slightly cheaper."
..............................

Meanwhile, re-read the Linn Sondek LP-12 results, outstanding.

Not sure how the specs compare to actual tests, and what measurement standards were used, my JVC TT81 Quartz Locked DD specs: Wow and flutter: 0.025% WRMS; Rumble: 63dB; Speed deviation: within 0.002%

What results do high end TT’s get these 40+ years later?

Speakers: Pick them for your Space.

I would only consider subs if my room was too small for large mains, you could go for large forward firing mains (no ports).

Efficient, so when you try tubes (which you will eventually) you won’t need too much power. It’s not just about less cost: smaller SS or tube amp means less weight, heat, cost, and gives options for placement the big ones do not. Placement of an Integrated Tube amp needs to be convenient, another reason to start with efficient speakers so the 30-35-40 wpc category is enough. Less cost leaves more $ for the great speakers!

Aiming a remote control successfully for volume or balance is something placement effects
.......................................

What I have owned, loved, highly recommend:

Prior: JSE Infinite Slope, Model II

http://www.audioreview.com/product/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/js-engineering/infinite-slope.htm...

Just buy these Blond Ones (2A, updated crossover), they will sound awesome I assure you. They will reveal just how nice your electronics are, spectacular imaging, incredibly accurate frequency response, and reveal existing and new cartridge’s performance.

Find something else you love later, sell em.

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649755415-infinite-slope-model-2a/

btw, the smaller model 1’s (my friend had them) are terrific for a smaller space.

http://www.hifi-classic.net/review/jse-infinity-slope-model-1-486.html

Joseph Audio has current models that use Richard Modafferi’s Infinite Slope, I never heard any of his.

The Model 2’s also have R.M.’s patented Phase Shift Bass Loading (method of progressively controlling the output of the 10" and 12" woofers), also a big part of their success IMO.

"Richard Modafferi , inventor and independent consultant to AudioClassics, has established himself as one of the world’s foremost authorities on tuner & loudspeaker design and development. He holds Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the NJ Institute of Technology. A Senior Engineer at McIntosh Laboratories from 1968-74, he designed the MR77 and MR78 tuners and the famous "Rimo" filter. The MR78 tuner has received world wide acclaim for its State of the Art performance. From 1974 to the present, Richard has been a self employed inventor at Modafferi Acoustical Systems, Inc. He has been granted a United States patent for Phase Shift Bass Loading and for the Infinite Slope Crossover. Richard also serves as a writer, reviewer and test lab for Audio, Audio Critic, The Sensible Sound".

......................................................

Currently Using: custom enclosure with 15" woofers, horn mid and horn tweeters, AND, importantly to adjust to your (any) space, a pair of L-Pads, attenuators to boost or cut the volume of the mids and highs relative to the woofer. Crossover designed with mid-attenuation: boost for dead rooms; cut for bright rooms, alter for your ears or taste, adjust them again when you move!
....................................

These Electro-Voice Model E-V Six components are driving me crazy as a project

https://www.ebay.com/itm/154513478054

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363294554414

Someone, you could design new enclosures for the drivers: wide at the bottom for the 18" woofers facing forward, slanted front for time alignment; reduce width as possible to fit the mid-bass cone (in the inner wood box); mid horn and horn tweeter up at seated ear level; deep enough for enough cubic feet of air; an optional port which I would not use here; and put them on felt, a slip sheet, or 3 wheels with solid axels for ’possible’ movement (not easy movement) to allow toe-in adjustment when friends listen with me.

The 5 position resistor network to alter frequency response will be a terrific start to adjusting them to your space/ears/taste. When your ability to hear highs droops, boost them a speck each decade!

orig specs of Model E-V Six

https://products.electrovoice.com/binary/E-V%20Six%20EDS.pdf

Focusing on Getting Superior Sound from your LPs:

Cartridges (plural), Take advantage of your removable headshell arm. Each it's own Headshell with open sides for access to wires, holding nuts, etc, finger lift, and importantly azimuth adjustment at the headshell

just as example for function:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/293416434592

wood one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/223518113378

Existing fine elliptical DL103D; new advanced stylus stereo; new elliptical Mono. Use these with your existing single arm TT, for a while, recalibrate VTF and Anti-Skate each change.

then:

Think Long: even though you have a great single arm TT, I encourage you to think now about a two arm TT. I got there by accident, then help here, I sure am glad I did. I went to 3 arms (see in my System Photos posted here), but 2 arms makes a world of difference.

The greatest thing for me is having a Mono Arm and a Stereo Arm balanced, ready to go: switch within seconds from Stereo to Mono in a listening session. My 3rd arm is MM so I don't needlessly wear out my primary MC with fixed stylus testing LP's for sale.

I wanted a longer arm, that's how I ended up with my setup.

Space needed for larger plinth.
Alignment skills (yours or a friend) needed to take advantage of it.
Tools

Method of selecting which arm. Your McIntosh Phono Preamp, great as it is, only has 1 input. You could add something with several inputs use it's MM Pass to choose what to send to your existing Phono Preamp

i.e the SUT I chose for 3 inputs, Fidelity Research FRT-4

https://www.ebay.com/itm/124558472024

entre et-100 has 3 inputs and MM Pass

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=entre+et-100&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&...

or 2 inputs, this Denon

https://www.ebay.com/itm/164939828820

No matter what, any Phono Preamp you (or anyone) might try, I highly encourage having the right to return it.





  

30K to spend, don't laugh, you will have a hard time beating this 2 arm combo:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324409089345

what spinner, here's a TT71

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324554946167

Combined Total, incl tax and delivery: $800.

refinish the base, new veneer your choice, 

move your arm to the back

new long arm on the side

.........................

what spinner? Mine's a TT81, your deep pockets, perhaps a TT101 or, 30k, feed your ego with an 801 (don't do it)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/254201602453?mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=533...

TT71 specs here, pg 15, ridiculously good.

file:///C:/Users/ellio/Downloads/ve_jvc_qla7.pdf

Bose 801 Speakers & Pair of Forte 5 Amps (combined total: $2,000.)

Another ’instant’ jump up in the speaker department, use them while researching, find something you love later, sell em.

selling here, local pick-up, New Jersey (near me).

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisabd1b-b-w-bowers-wilkins-801-full-range?refsource=hifishark

I presume, same seller, they were driven by this PAIR of Forte Model 5’s

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisabd18-forte-model-5-solid-state

some Forte Model 5 info in an expired ad here

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-forte-audio-model-5-amplifier-2013-06-15-amplifiers-85...
...............................

OP,

STEREO BASS

when choosing new speakers, i.e. the Bass: I believe the fundamentals and overtones give location cues, REL yaps about Phase, and cohesiveness with the mains, others say ...

REL

https://rel.net/blog/2017-07-28/reconsider/consider-stereo-rels/

Sound Environment


https://www.soundenvironment.com/the-value-of-stereo-subwoofers/

This Guy

https://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/stereo-subwoofers.htm

This guy decided so in 2011

https://audiophilereview.com/subwoofers/why-i-like-stereo-subwoofers/

somebody snapped up the JVC 2 arm plinth and TT71 around the same time. Smart!

Anyone here?