Analog upgrade


Looking at upgrading analog components and seeking advice. Currently have rega planar 6 and rega aria phono stage. Considering clearaudio ovation or dc performance both with tracer tone arm. Also looking at moon 310 or 610 or Boulder 508. Budget is ~12-14k. Is it better to go up to the ovation with less expensive amp or take the dc performance with one of the higher end amps. Also interested in impressions of these amps and advice on cartridges for these tables. Thanks

kerrybh

Showing 2 responses by mijostyn

The Ovation is a lot of money for what you are getting and not as much of a leap over the Rega as you might think. You can get a Sota Sapphire and put a Kuzma 4 point 9 or a Schroder CB on it for not much more. You will have an isolated turntable and a much better arm. You can also get a really nice dust cover with the Sota.

The Boulder is a fine phono stage I prefer the Channel D Lino C 3.0 which you can tailor to suit your needs but if you get heavy handed with the options the price can get up to $7000. It is a transimpedance phono stage like the BMC, Sutherland Loco and CH Precision. This allows you to get a lot of gain out of very low impedance MC cartridges and yet maintain an excellent signal to noise ratio. You also do not have to worry about loading the cartridge. You can add a voltage mode input and /or a moving magnet input if you want. Check out the reviews on the Lino C. 

@kerrybh , Whoa, slow down soldier. You send Donna (Sota) your arm and cartridge and they will put it all together for you. When you get it home it will be in three boxes. the main Chassis, the dust cover and the platter. To assemble it there are 4 screws that mount the dust cover. The platter you take out of the box and plop it down on the spindle after a few drops of oil. Then plug it in, level it and rock!  And, don't use my name or they will never sell you anything:)