If you had $12k / £10k to upgrade your analogue front-end...

A suggestion. A step-up transformer for a moving coil cartridge is a ridiculously easy way to get into DIY.

The finished boxes that you see often contain little to nothing more than a raw step-up transformer or two (Sowter (UK) makes a good one, Lundahl (Sweden) makes many good ones, and there are others that I haven’t tried) which cost maybe 200 - 300 GBP. Add some inexpensive connectors (XLR from Neutrix, RCA from Switchcraft) and a box, and mount the parts in the box, and you have something which competes with the big boys. You don’t need to switch them - it’s better if you don’t - just follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for hook-up and you’re done.

Most people think, OMG, it’s magic, the pros know all this stuff that I don’t, so I can’t do anything. This is a mistake. The pros do know lots of things, and one of them is, that manufacturers give detailed instructions on the use of their equipment. They are often called ’Application Notes’.

A pro would never think of using something like a transformer without looking at an application note, or at least an explanatory drawing (called a ’schematic’). Why not call up Sowter, explain that you want to build a SUT for a MC, and ask for their advice? I found them very helpful when I did that 10 years ago.

What have you got to lose? Are they going to take away your corner office?

@terry9 DIY terrifies the life out of me. I wouldn't have a clue where to start!

The technics SL1200G is excellent for the price. I managed a comparison with a Rega 10, I preferred the direct drive.

I did have a very expensive Vinyl set up with a Kuzma XL dc and 4pt arm which I had to sell due to moving house. The Technics matches the Kuzma in many ways maybe not quite as expansive or powerful but more accurate tonally and that is with a lesser cartridge.

Having owned a range of phono stages (ypsilon, AR, BAT etc) I believe the phono is as important as the TT.

I have heard good things about the Dias.

Isolation of the TT is very important.

However I would not bother with vinyl if starting out now as my digital sounds so good.

Fair enough Cainullah. Just a thought.

Just read a Stereophile review of the 1200G (prompted by dctom's post) and saw mention of an aftermarket mat that I was not aware of.

Changing the mat would be a good place to start with the OP's current setup.

I have (Thorens TD125 MkII/SME 3009 II non-improved) an OEM rubber mat, a 100% wool mat and a DIY cork spot-mat all of which change the sound in my system.

I generally prefer the spot-mat, but the wool mat works well with brighter sounding LP's.

The one mentioned in the review is a spot-mat design.

DeKay

I think you would do quite well with a P8 or P10 and a phono stage in your stated price range (perhaps consider used for the phono stage for even more value). I listened to several tables costing much more (high mass) than my P10/Aphelion 2.  I was left unimpressed and so I didn’t “upgrade”.

Start by buying on resale, not retail. Your $12K USD or 10K GBP can get you a world-class vinyl setup. I have a Garrard 401 with a Dynavector XV-1s MC cartridge, a Fidelity Research 64 tonearm and an Einstein dual-mono balanced phono preamp and I paid $7K USD (less than 6K GBP.) I couldn't get the phono preamp at retail for that much, although I might get the tonearm and cartridge for that much at retail.

The OP is looking for more of a "jump/exciting" sound, though with a sizable budget.

My course of action would be to optimize what he is currently using (he has a nice system which could be improved towards his goal with 10%-15% investment  of the budget towards a suitable cartridge perhaps with a step up TF if he is he truly wishes to experiment with a lower output MC cartridge).

In regard to step-up TF's,  which I mentioned before, there are more than decent used Denon's in the $300 range that would work with a variety of cartridges.

DeKay

buying a speaker or amp or DAC used seems to be pretty safe. But I would not buy a used (more than 6-8 months old) turntable or CD player.

@dctom Thanks for the advice. The Technics seems to be very popular. I'm going to listen to it side-by-side with the Rega Planar 10, The Linn plus others.

@dekay the mat is an interesting take I hadn't even considered. I'm also looking into the step-up TF

@plinko Great to know. Thanks. 

@mambacfa That's a bargain. I'll need to find somewhere I can get decent used gear in UK.

​​​

Has anyone used a Moon 310LP or a Channel D Lino C 2.0?

I'm considering these along with the Rega Aura, the Nottingham Analogue Dais and the Pass Labs XP-17.

If you are considering the 390 - it's internal phono stage is based on the Moon 810LP (there's many execution differences like dual mono and separate power sources).

I'd add the Boulder 508 phone preamp for your consideration.

Channel D is good as is Konus, for current input.

For clean and dynamic tube phono I chose to represent RADA Lithuania. Check out the Precious One

I didn't first think of changing mats because I went through all that ages ago.

When I was young I would switch cartridges not knowing that the mat and/or what the TT rested upon made a difference.

DeKay

@cainullah 

@overthemoon Have you got any experience with the 310LP? My dealer tells me it is a step up from the phono stage in the 390. But if the 390 has a phono stage based on the 810LP, you’d presume that wouldn’t be true. Any thoughts?

Boulder also added to the mix. Thanks :)

@grislybutter Thank you! Very helpful.

@cainullah

so I feel like I have been living under a rock until now, not knowing that I need to spend more on the phono stage than the TT - which is what many posts are saying here and other relevant threads.

So I used the AVID price list to infer what they think (it seems logical to assume that they are putting together comparable components and they are not selling super high end e.g. TTs and mediocre phono stages). Here is a list

it looks like AVID "thinks" the low end turntable should cost the same as its matching phono stage. And the high end TT should work OK with a phono stage 1/5 of the TT"s price (of course I simplifying - the dots are not connected, it’s just roughly 5 levels in each category).
You can’t go near this comparison with their speaker prices, which are 10-25 times higher than their corresponding components.

In short, I did live under a rock, not knowing about the need for a decent phono stage.

Sorry for my slow response @grislybutter . We had a burglary on Monday night whilst we were all asleep upstairs. They stole £10k worth of stuff so I guess there goes my analogue front end for a while. I'll need to save that back up.

Really interesting re: the AVID price list. I was thinking a 1/3 Turntable 1/3 cart 1/3 phono stage split. I definitely won't be buying a $250000 pair of speakers!!

@cainullah I am so sorry!!

was anything insured? What a bummer.

Get the newest Technics SL-1200mk version.

no belts, no bs, just drop needle and enjoy for 40 years. 
 

use rest on a solid preamp. Parasound, Sanders, Bryston, 

use the rest on music & Scotch!

@grislybutter we're currently renovating our house so staying in a rental. We thought the landlord had insurance but informed us on Tuesday he does not. So we're 10k down unfortunately. At least the kids are safe. That's the main thing.

@arcticdeth I like your style!

@cainullah 

yes, the kids first!

and I hope moving back to your renewed house will be a joy...

I would look at the SME Model 6 with an Ortofon Candza Blue or Bronze cartridge.  If you opt for a valve based phono stage, I would go with the Blue.  If you opt for SS, I would go with the Bronze.  The Chord Symphonic would put you a bit over budget but is superb.  The Sugden Masterclass, Moon 310P and Unison Research Phono One would all be good options.  

@verdantaudio Excellent. Added to the list. Thanks. The Sugden masterclass and Unison look good.

VPI Prime Sig

Gold Note PH-10

Gold Note PSU-10

Lyra Delos

….puts you at $12,200 msrp

(add Luminous Audio Technology Synchestra Reference IC’s at $500-700 and you’ll be rockin’ and jazzin’ nicely.)