2. analog
  3. 182013-176828

Need advice for upgrading my analog setup

Hello,

I got into records 2 years ago and have been using ProJect Carbon Debut Evo with a Sumiko Rainier cartridge. It has served me great as my first table and a way to see if I would enjoy playing records. Well I do enjoy records. And my dad gave me all of his records too (he's a CD guy but never abandoned his collection when vinyl fell out of vogue).

Anyway, I'm planning to upgrade my entire analog setup and I'm very much a buy once , cry once kind of person. I'm looking at a SOTA Sapphire, Origin Live Zephyr tonearm, and a Soundsmith Zephyr Mk.III cartridge. Is this a good combination? Are there any other combinations of gear in the $6k range I should consider? I try to buy American as much as I can. I've looked at VPI but I like the look of SOTA much more.

Oh and I'm using a Darlington Labs MP-7 phono preamp that I'm happy with and don't plan on replacing.

Thanks for reading and helping me out.

thefrator

Showing 1 response by acmaier3

acmaier3's avatar
acmaier3
61 posts
 

Concur and amplify the focus on the phono preamp then preamp first. My personal philosophy is that average turntables with good isolation is all that’s needed (It’s simply a level rotating plane - that’s all) - focus on the cartridge. Think Rega RP8 not 10.  Pro-ject higher model  from the Evo would do. 
 

I’ll diverge on constant upgrading of the phono stage though. Get a quality adjustable one with two inputs and call it good. I might upgrade one day long in the future - gold note ph-10 is absolutely amazing with XLR outs and the equalization (RIAA, Decca, Columbia) options are simply now table stakes for me. Applying the proper output equalization has such a meaningful impact it would take an article to elaborate. 

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