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How do you know what your weakest link is?

I'm  contemplating what to upgrade and need some advice on what my weakest link is? I'm considering either upgrading my Clearaudio Concept Wood to a Performance DC Wood/Ovation with a Hana ML or upgrading my Musical Surroundings Nova III to a Modwright 9.0. Is my table the weak link or is my phono? What will my best gain come from and what should I expect that gain to manifest as? 
128x128j-wall

Showing 1 response by jperry

jperry
2,432 posts
 
j-wall

There are a few different upgrade paths you could take.
1. Upgrade your table and cartridge as you mention
2. Upgrade your phono preamp
3. Upgrade your cartridge and phono preamp, keeping the same turntable.

Generally I think the analog hierarchy is Tonearm, Cartridge, Phono Preamp, and Turntable.

I would not upgrade the turntable, unless the upgrade includes a better tonearm. I looked at a website and it appears that the turntable upgrade you are considering has the same tonearm as your current turntable.

Based on that, if correct, I would upgrade the cartridge and phono preamp, or upgrade to a turntable with a better tonearm. I am not saying your current tonearm is bad, just saying a better tonearm allows better performance from your cartridge. 

Good luck with your search.

Jim Perry

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