2. analog
  3. 173350-159231

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 1 response by williewonka

williewonka
3,072 posts
 

@kerrybh - I have the previous version of the Moon 310 - i.e. he LP5.3 RS, and I have stopped looking any further.

I did not go with the separate power supply, because I believed I could improve the sound quality by using a great power cable - and I was NOT disappointed.

It also pays to use the very best interconnects also.

For commercial products I recommend Zavfino, In-Akustik and Nordost.

I use my own DIY cables built from scratch......

My Audio Alchemy (image99.net)

Read what other members think of them here...

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/duelund-conversion-to-diy-helix-geometry-cabling

The Moon products are very well made, extremely quiet and very neutral sounding (with the right cables) and the 610 would provide even better micro-details - but that’s too rich for my pocket book, even for such a stunning looking component

Since you have a Rega, you might take a look at the Audiomods arms. They are basically "plug and play" on the Rega decks and will elevate the sound quality significantly

www.audiomods.co.uk

Each arm is custom built to your requirements and can take 6-8 weeks to build. I had the Micro-VTA adjustment and the one piece harness options.

I have the older Audiomods "Classic" model with the bead blast finish and love it !

Audiomods Tonearm | My Audio Alchemy (image99.net)

I started my analogue journey back in 1981 with the Rega Planar II and have since upgraded everything, to the point where the only original parts left are the Plexiglass Cover and the ON/OFF switch

Turntable Mod’s | My Audio Alchemy (image99.net)

But my current choice of turntable i.e. if I were to replace it, would be the Music Hall MMF 9.3 or MMF 11.3, because they incorporate everything I have learned about good turntable and arm design at a "reasonable" price

As far as cartridges go - i like the Sound-smith products

  • I have a Denon DL103
  • with the Soundsmith Ruby Cantilever and Optimized Contour Contact Line stylus
  • And added a brass plate to increase the mass to better match the arm
  • See this link for details Denon DL 103 Tweak | My Audio Alchemy (image99.net)
  • Adding the Brass plate improved cartridge stability a lot, much like the Zu 103  cartridge upgrade

Hope that helps - Steve

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