2. analog
  3. 119864-8622

if you had my system and $2,000 budgeted for an upgrade, where would you spend it?

This post may go a bit beyond analog, as it could encompass other parts of the system, but I am not interested in adding to the digital side of things, so here it is.

As far as I can tell, it seems like the places to spend that $2K would be on a better tonearm or perhaps a preamplifier upgrade.  I may be able to sell my Audio Research LS-25 and upgrade to ARC Ref 3.  As for the tonearm, I could sell the RB202 and get a Michell Tecnoarm, or step it up to an arm for about $1600 (are the Clearaudio arms nice?) and still have a little left over.

Can a tonearm upgrade make a significant sonic improvement?

I am not dying to spend money on an upgrade, and if the benefit of that $2K will be minuscule, I am happy to stay as I am for a while, my system sounds excellent.  But I am curious to know what the experienced people on this site would do the the $2K if they were in my shoes.

Where is the most improvement possible?
Thanks!
Mark

System Gear List:

Amplifier:  Audio Research VT-100 mkII
Preamplifier:  Audio Research LS-25
Phono Stage:  Whest Audio PS.30R
Cartridge:  Lyra Delos
Table:  Michell Engineering Tecnodec with standard RB202 tonearm
DAC:  PS Audio PerfectWave DAC mkII
Power Conditioner:  Shunyata Research Talos
Speakers:  Rockport Technologies Mira Monitors
Subwoofer:  Wisdom Audio SCS
Speaker Cable:  Cardas Audio Cross
Interconnect:  Cardas Audio 300B Microtwin XLR
Digital Music Storage & Player:  Apple Mac Mini + ROON + Hard Drive
Power Cables:  Shunyata Research Venom HC (amp, sub, conditioner)
Power Cables:  Shunyata Research Sidewinder VTX (sources)

My system can be seen here:  https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5421
marktomaras
56 responses Add your response
roger_paul
291 posts
 
Mark,

Nice system you have - and so organized! I have seen so many systems that look like rats nests in the back (and front).

Years ago I worked for a stereo retailer who sold Revox tape decks.
The customer was ready to buy when the wife says "what is that crack in the front"? She was referring to the handy tape splice block (with the diagonal slit) that covered the tape heads. She "could not have that in their living room" because it looks cracked...  No sale.

Roger
dentdog's avatar
dentdog
498 posts
 
Room Treatment. Floor to ceiling in the corners, first reflection points. I use GIK, they have very nice art panels. You can DIY it as well.  I, like you, made my own rack with 3.5 in butcher block and brass threaded rods. 
I will go along with Raul as to the second sub. Order Jim Smith's book "Get Better Sound" , an overall viewpoint on all sorts of tweaks as well as subs, placement, room treatment. As you add the sub and at the same time tame the bass and the reverberation time your system will come into focus and be much more enjoyable. I did mine a little at a time to give me some time to let things settle. 
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 
Wow Mark, you have a Lyra Delos on a Techno Dec? For a little more ... $2500 , you could move up to a GYRO SE pre owned/ used  WITH a better arm ?? That is where I would go.  Upgrade the turntable to the level your cartridge deserves man!


Matt M
chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001
476 posts
 
Well Mark:

For the most part, your system is fine the way it is.

If I were to make ONE upgrade to your system, if you haven't done so already, the upgrade I'd make would be that I'd change the interconnects that are behind the Phono Preamplifier.

You got a VERY NICE Turntable/Arm/Cartridge setup.

The interconnects that are connected behind your Phono Preamplifier aren't doing anything but holding back the potential and capability of your Analog System, and potentially, it's potentially lagging behind the rest of your system in terms of sonics.

That would be the ONLY thing I'd upgrade.  And then, an interconnect upgrade shouldn't cost you $2K.  

I'd say about $500.00 or so, and your system should be fine from ALL sources then (including Phono).

That other $1,500.00??  Go ahead and spend that on some music or something.

Happy Listening..

--Charles--
marktomaras OP
544 posts
 
Thank you Charles. I agree. In fact I would like a better arm and a better tone arm Cable. Since I originally wrote this post, I sold the subwoofer and Rockport monitors, and bought a pair of Wilson Sophia Series 2 speakers. It was a really nice move, the system sounds excellent.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
Second the Audiomods tonearm as a no-brainer upgrade.

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