Help me pick a phono, pre and cart


Hi all,
My WF spending restraints are going away so I’m going to upgrade my system.
I primarily play CD, but also have an MMF-5 with Glass platter, Golding GX1022 cart going through a Clear Audio Nano to Ayre Ax-7e to Sig 2 Ce’s.

This year I’m going to Quatro CT’s and upgrading my vinyl pre and source side. Next year I’m upgrading my main pre and power amp.

I’m looking for help in picking a phono player pre and cart. My musical taste is pretty wide: female vocals, rock, blues, jazz; not much classical on vinyl. Think Amy Winehouse/Cold Specks/Pixies/Weezer/Jeff Beck/Johnny Winter/Winton Marsalis and Maynard Ferguson for you other old timers. LOL
My budget is about $8-10k

Right now my main thoughts are VPI Prime Scout or Prime with Grado Statement series cart, and an Ayre Px-5e pre.
In addition to specific item recommendations, I’m very interested in how to split the budget item wise. In other words more or less on player vs cart vs pre, I.e. Scout with Statement2 or Prime with Reference2 for example. Or go higher than 20-30% on the pre?
I lean towards spending the most on what’s least upgradeable - sorry if that’s too general or obvious.
Thanks much
Jim

jetson

Showing 5 responses by tomic601

@jetson talk w Johnny R also
pretty sure he has the Etna Delos ( and way North of that ) and tge NOVA as it is in Musical Surroundings group - as is a table you are considering
i was advocating a used Basis, who knows Johnny is so plugged in he may have a line on one......
anyway
good hunting
@jetson this is where I believe it is very necessary to have a trusting relationship with your dealer. Johnny R is IMO that kind of dealer - they disply the 7 and Richard who is a hyper fan of Vinyl stops by there and listens and they get great sound...
my Basis came thru him to @ctsooner ( Pete ) but you are on right track listening to it as a system there trying to discern one phono pre from another when most if not all the other gear changes is madness...

 

To be truthful I have never heard a Herron
what is out there for a Delos ???
into a NAIM
the Nova II is pretty good
and I have some supposedly fantastic Tom Evans coming.....
we shall hear.... and then see
or not....
ha

basis w Vector arm
the Triplaner is wicked good but out of range $$$
Delos
Aesthetix 
my $.02
does Ralph have a stand alone phono pre ?
i would consider his gear also