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 3 responses by thefrator

thefrator OP
3 posts
 

@mijostyn - I had not heard of this cartridge but I'll look into it and consider it. Truth be told I'm not in a super huge rush so delaying the build a month or two to fund that cart doesn't seem like too bad of an idea.

@ghdprentice and @tablejockey - What are some worthy phono preamps in this price range to consider? It's possible I'll save that upgrade for further down the road to keep my upgraditis satisfied.

 

 

thefrator OP
3 posts
 

Thank you all for the input! I really appreciate it.

@grislybutter - the looks of the Sapphire is what drew me to it. With the solid wood finish and its physical size and weight. I'm a fan on turntables that don't look like they belong in a laboratory or in a space shuttle.

 

@boothroyd - thank you for being that guy! I like to see what options are out there and I had not considered Technics deck or Grado carts.

thefrator OP
3 posts
 

I am conscious of the price disparity I am planning between the table, tone arm , and cart AND the phonostage. I'm a younger dude with a lot of life (and audio) ahead of me. So that gives me plenty of time to one day upgrade the phonostage when I see fit and not divert funds away from the deck and cartridge.

I've experienced the benefits of a phonostage upgrade when I went from the Schiit Man 2 to my current Darlington MP-7. Some of my records sounded harsh with the Mani while I haven't encountered such a sound with the MP-7.

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