2. analog
  3. 131223-99020

My jazz collection told me to get a *real* system

So I’m determined to put together my first serious analog system, having subsisted on entry-level NAD TT, integrated and phono amp for over 10 years. My tastes are very eclectic, but I’ve put together a nice jazz collection and that’s what’s really crying out. I’m looking at a budget of about $8K over the next 12-18 months. Yeah, that’s the trick: This ain’t gonna happen over night. But I’m willing to be patient with imbalances in my system as long as I’m headed in the right direction. And I’d rather go the route of buying the gear I really want for the long term rather than stop gaps and labor intensive upgrade paths etc. My life just doesn’t have room for that.

N.B.: Looking to stay SS, likely integrated+phono preamp configuration. Really just talking about the table, cart, and amplification ... speakers and ICs are OK for now.

Questions:
1) How would you divvy up the dough?
2) In what order would you buy the components?
3) Top 3 recommendations within each component category?
4) Other crucial considerations?

Appreciate the wisdom!
jazztherapist

Showing 1 response by jszei

jszei
30 posts
 

offer $2500 for this table-http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649352700-vpi-prime-turntable-w-3d-arm/ 

Jump on this.  Great price for an amazing TT.  I recently updated my two channel equipment with jazz as my primary focus.  I bought the Prime retail with a Quintet Black cart.  I had a Project Carbon with Sumiko Blue Point No 2 and while that TT and cart helped me love vinyl again the Prime brought things to a new level.

I agree with the other comments about tubes.  I went SS for my amp and tubes with my pre.  I'd recommend the Atma-Sphere MP-3.  If you change two things to completely improve your sound the Prime and MP-3 would do that for you.  USA Tube Audio is having a sale on the MP-3 now.
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