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Analog Upgrade Suggestions Welcome

I am thinking of making several upgrades to my current analog rig.

Current system: click here

First, I am thinking of upgrading my VPI HW19 MKIII to the MKIV. I would like those with first hand experience to tell me if the upgrade is worth the money, and what I can expect to hear in improvement. I am currently using the SDS and SAMA modifications.

Second, I am thinking of upgrading my cartridge. My Sumiko Talisman Alchemist IIb is almost 15 years old and is ready for retirement. Some A'goNers have recommended the Shelter 501. I didn't want to spend more than $1000 for a cartidge as the majority of my listening is still redbook CD. I am open to other suggestions. I want the best cartridge for the money. Also, I am leary of buying such a fragile item used. I have heard others on A'goN say they'd never buy a used cartridge. Please share any experiences out there; good or bad.

My current cartridge has an output of 2.0mV which I assume means high output. Will I need a step-up transformer for a low output cartridge? Is the Shelter 501 at 0.4 mV considered low output? My Classe Six preamp has a phono section. The preamp comes with resistors that the user can change out to match the volume control knob position to the level of line components. I assume I'd need to change the resistor I'm using with my current cartridge. Otherwise I'd have to turn the knob way up to get enough gain with a cartridge with an output that's 1/5 that of my current cartridge. Is that correct?

Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

Cheers!

Mark
mstram

Showing 3 responses by rushton

rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Raul,

Your continuing personal attacks on Doug are tiresome, and the longer they continue, the more offensive it all becomes. I wish you would move past this one-upmanship game you're playing; all this looks like is your pique over not being crowned the Audiogon analog guru. In the process of playing this interminable game, it seems to me that you are alienating everyone who regularly posts here. You could become a valued contributor, instead you are making yourself a person many wish to avoid. Surely this can't be your intended outcome? (rhetorical question)

And I'm trying to "enjoy the music", but your trite little closing (given the offensive content of your posts) is ruining it for me every time I see it now.
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rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Raul,
Alright. I'll give it one more attempt. I tried once before in an email we exchanged, but that obviously had no meaning for you. All of us regularly offer disagreement with something someone else has posted, and sometimes we all point out what we think is an error in what someone else has said. The point is to have a conversation here, and to exhange information and opinions so we all learn from each other.

But, you approach this differently. You are not just pointing out "wrong facts" as you so disingenuously state. Your posts are always stated in absolute terms like an oracle pronouncing "THE TRUTH FROM ON HIGH." It's insulting to the intelligence of the rest of the people participating here. More to the problem, the language and the tone you choose to use are confrontational, not constructive and are frequently presented as a personal attack. Consider your last post above where you include the following TOTALLY UNNECESSARY personal attacks:
do really know what are you talking about ?, I think you are an " inexpert " in this area, too.
Please try to learn about. Where do you left " the book ".
These comments are unnecessary, they don't add to a constructive conversation, they are demeaning of the person to whom they are addressed, they are personal attacks, and (to me) they are offensive. Your posts are full of this nonsense. My ask of you is: "Quit it."

You can have a conversation and point out errors without the personal attacks. If you can't figure this out, my recommendation to you is that you should stop posting for several months, reflect on things and then come back and try again after that time has passed.
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rushton's avatar
rushton
2,445 posts
 
Raul,

Your posts of pertinent information can be helpful. Your personal attacks are not. Keep posting pertinent information or posing reasonably phrased questions that invite dialog, and I have no quibble with your participation. That has consistently been my point. You've consistently missed that point in your effort to disparage and belittle others.

I do note that the last several posts I've seen from you have not included personally derogatory or disparaging remarks. I welcome this and hope it continues.
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