Next step in Turntable


Gents;

I am currently enjoying my re-start of analog and LP’s 

Pro-Ject Classic 
Hana SL
Musical Surroundings Phenomona II+
Anyway, I’m finding That I really enjoy the LP life 
I’ve found a system that is quiet, dynamic and detailed with no real drawbacks 

so, As usual 

If I wanted to take the next step,  in Analog playback , at what level and price should I be looking at 

jeff 


frozentundra

Showing 2 responses by millercarbon

A SOTA with Origin Live Conqueror (or thereabouts) https://www.originlive.com/hi-fi/tonearm/#premiumrange will certainly deliver otherworldly level performance. Then later on when you are ready for a new cart, Soundsmith SG1 and you are set. 
Your biggest decision will be to stick with all in one packages, like VPI where your table and arm come together, or to step up to viewing the table and the arm as separate components. This second way involves a fair bit more work, but it really pays off. The other way is easier but you learn a lot less, and believe it or not spend more money to get not as good sound.  

The reason for this is most people can afford only so much at a time. Say you can budget $5k for a component. If you upgrade the whole thing you will indeed get a big improvement. But if you put that $5k into just an arm, wow will you ever get a great arm! Last you a long, long time! Maybe forever. (Mine is 16 years.) Or if you put that into a turntable, same thing.  

Also the people who make separate turntables and arms, they know these are being compared directly and so put a lot more into them. The people making packages, virtually no one ever removes the arm to see how they sound all by themselves. They know as long as the package is better than the one down their line they are good.  

Still, it is a learning curve. That is why I say this is your biggest decision.