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 2 responses by rar1

rar1's avatar
rar1
1,811 posts
 
Some thoughts:

1. Don’t rule out tubes. You would be amazed at how good a tube amp can bring out subtlety, texture, and nuance. No disrespect to SS.
2. Buy quality that will last the years. In my main system, I have had the tube power amp (Prima Luna PL5) for 12 years, the preamp/ cd player for 13 years (Musical Fidelity CD Pre 24), the SACD player for 16 years (SONY SCD 555ES), and the speakers (Opera Platea) for 8 years.

Now that I have turned 60, I start wondering when I will need to pull the trigger on the last, great rig.

Once you upgrade the NAD, you will upgrade the EPOS eventually. In the interim, you can hear what an amp a few notches above the NAD can do with the EPOS. (Note: I owned the NAD 320 until I upgraded to tubes).

I would suggest the following top of the line Prima Luna tube integrated as the anchor of your new system. It should last 20 years, if not longer. It is certainly powerful enough for most speakers. PL makes tube ownership easy with adaptive bias. PL probably offers a phono preamp board for this amp.

https://www.upscaleaudio.com/collections/primaluna/products/primaluna-dialogue-premium-hp-integrated-amplifier

You have to start somewhere. Good Luck with it all.


Rich


rar1's avatar
rar1
1,811 posts
 
I am not sure an upgrade in cartridge will necessarily do the trick.  The Shure M97 is a nice cartridge.  If you insist, I would suggest the following:

Shelter 201

http://www.needledoctor.com/Shelter-201-MM-Phono-Cartridge?sc=2&category=877

I have been using this cartridge for the past few months and I am absolutely loving it.   A level of performance above the Ortofon Blue (which is very good).  

Rich 
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