You have a very nice set-up. Not sure performance wise what spending a few grand right now would give you % wise ... do you achieve 93% enjoyment level versus the 91% enjoyment level you currently have? It is just a question.
You do not mention any dissatisfaction with your current set-up. The Hana is a really nice cartridge already.
*** PLEASE no comments regarding audiophiles chasing the ever elusive audio nirvana. It's not what I am getting at. ***
Assuming for the moment that the COVID related lockdowns and working from home will pass in the next year or so, does it make better sense to save the cash, perhaps park it in a Vanguard account (no affiliation) and see what the next months are going to bring?
I have these thoughts myself. Fortunately, WFH has me even busier and I don't believe I have spent more than a dozen or so hours since last March doing any real listening with my systems. I chuckle as I look at phono stages and I think I have played maybe 5 albums all the way through since Easter.
Be well,
Rich |
rmdmoore, it depends on where you want to wind up. Do you plan on doing a much bigger system in the end or are you happy where you are? What about your system bothers you? Lack of volume? Not enough bass? image specificity? |
rar1, thanks for the perspective. I can't say that anything bothers me about my system. it images fairly well, good bass, definitely loud enough. Just always looking for a little better.
mijostyn, in the long run looking to make improvements. would like to ultimately go balanced which will likely make some difference. this will require a change in preamp, likely rogue rp-7 at some point. same for TT and phono stage. I feel like my speakers will support a better source at some point but to get a real noticeable difference I'd likely need to spent 10k or so on a table/tonearm I'm thinking. was looking for a small step I could make in the short term |
If you like your Hana ML you could consider the brand new Hana Umami Red. Hana has a nice trade in program to help make these moves easy. |
Then by all means do a cartridge. Your tonearm justifies a better cartridge. A Lyra Delos, Clearaudio Charisma, Ortofon Cadenza Black or perhaps a Kiseki Blue. |
rmdmoore - I think your strategy is right. When upgrading, start with the source component, in this case, the cartridge. This doesnt always work out, depends on your context, dont ignore good possibilities further down the chain, good second hand offers - and so on. But generally I think the best way to upgrade is to start with the source and then move on from there. At least that has been my path. I started with low level cartridges, Stanton, Pickering, and then moved up to the Lyra Clavis, in the 1990s - cutting edge, at the time. It made me reconsider other components of my system. Later, I have upgraded to better Lyra carts, Titan, and now Atlas. This can be expensive, but I think there is now a considerable "trickle down" effect, good carts can be had for less money than before. So I would advice, try some better cartridges. Or just - take a chance - like I did. Maybe they are not total successes in your current system, but will be, if you change something else. My point is, source components tend to lead the way, so it is a good point to start there.
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+1, @gestalt.
I had Hana ML before I upgraded to Hana Umami Red. Hana ML is a very good sounding cart and excellent value for the money. If you love the sound of ML, you’re are going to appreciate the uptick in subtleties with Umami. The Umami simply digs deeper and let’s you appreciate the music even more. It’s definitely has a smoother tone than the ML.
Good luck! |
How about some room treatment?
Get your room GIK'd. More cost-effective than any component upgrade. |
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I can't say that anything bothers me about my system. it images fairly
well, good bass, definitely loud enough. Just always looking for a
little better. If what you listed really is your whole system then the surest safest way to get what you want for the least amount of money is to first get the most out of what you already have. Synergistic PHT on your cartridge will be like a new cartridge. Everything you already like, only more. Get the Green Dream and Black Beauty and use both together. That's what I do. Green Dream is liquid, deep, almost sensual. Black Beauty is dynamic, extended, just more of everything. Together they are fantastic. All those who have taken my advice on this have told me they are extremely pleased with the result. (Do NOT get Purple Haze. Unless you really do want everything to sound like Jimi Hendrix. Oh well that is what they make the money back guarantee for I guess.) You will also notice in my system quite a lot of Synergistic ECT and HFT. There's also Orange Fuses in everything. Its hard to see, I use it discretely, but there's fO.q tape on the tone arm and motor. This tape is extremely effective vibration control. Unlike all other vibration damping materials I have tried this tape works on extremely fine micro-vibrations. As such it removes a layer of grunge you never knew was there. Midrange in particular opens up with more presence. Not by being exaggerated but by removing the grunge that was in there obscuring detail. Fantastic stuff. Looks expensive by the square inch- until you use it and hear how much just one square inch can do. All these things I'm suggesting, what makes them better than just buying another component is these are all forever things. You buy a component wonderful, you got a component. Until you sell it to get another one. Then you lose everything you put into the first one. All the stuff I'm recommending you will be using on every component and room you're in for the rest of your audio career. I am in other words telling you how to build a system. To get somewhere. As opposed to run on a treadmill...... In case you're wondering, is this stuff really worth it? I just had four guys over and when I removed just one tweak- cable elevators- they all heard the sound stage collapse. Yes. This stuff is totally worth it. |
Buy more vinyl and upgrade your cartridge when the Hanna wears out.
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You system looks great! Very well chosen and balanced, so it’s hard to pick a real soft spot, which is why you’re going to get a dozen different answers.
Upgrading your cartridge to a "next level" is always a solid upgrade in your position, so the very cool looking Umami should indeed be a tempting option. If you want to try something different there are nice deals on new Benz cartridges in the classifieds here. I picked up an LPS myself recently and can highly recommend it; superb for the money! (Note: I’m not saying the LPS itself would be a great choice for a Tracer, as you will likely need a heavier counterweight for its very!! heavy 16g mass, but other models in the upper line like SLR should work great!)
Next I’d look at that RP-1 (I have a lot of experience with Rogue gear, though not with that one). I’ve heard it said, by someone I trust who’s heard all the RP’s, that you really want to get up to at least the RP-5. Especially with your level of gear, and those M180’s. There are also great all-tube used Rogue preamps to look for: Perseus Magnum, 99 Magnum, Athena -- though you will lose the digital volume, I personally prefer the Athena’s sound to even the top of the RP line.
Next look at phono stage. I moved on from the ~ $1K solid state phono stages a long time ago, in favor of tube stages, and loved the result. The new Trumpet MC is tubed (well, with a JFET front end) and potentially a legit giant killer at $1K. It’s a great choice if you like a warm, open sound. Plus it has loading options to work great with even the Benz ruby-plate cartridges, which would struggle on a SUT. I bet say a Benz SLR plus Trumpet at $3K total would blow many people away. But there are a lot of great tube stages out there if you want something different.
Further down the line, if you look at Dark’ing your already excellent M180’s -- personally I’d advise you rather to trade in towards a Zeus or Apollos. I’ve had sets of Apollos both normal and dark, and the bigger jump was from M180 (which I’ve heard in comparison to my Apollos at my dealer’s) to Apollo/Zeus rather than from Apollo to Apollo Dark. It’s psychologically nice for me to think of those high-end caps in the Dark version, but personally they didn’t rock my world quite as much as I’d thought they would for the upgrade price. |
thanks everyone for the input! @mulveling, you have a lot of good infor for me. I've been a rogue guy for 20 years and have had nothing but positive experiences. My goal is ultimately to have an RP-7 and maybe that's a better move than a new cartridge. Like @flatblackroind said, use the one I have till it wears out and then upgrade. It's a nice cartridge and it seems like the distributor always let's you upgrade which leaves that door open for later.
Upgrading my amps is not super high on my list. My speakers are a fairly easy load so I don't need the extra power the Apollo's would give me. Might go stepwise to darks but am likely to upgrade my TT before that.
This has been really helpful. Thinking maybe preamp before cartridge at this point and then upgrade cartridge in 1k hours. might also do the linear power supply in the meantime. |
Think about good headphones and a proper headphone amp...you'll be amazed at how good that can sound.
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+1 on the Musical Surroundings Linear Power Supply. An amazing duo! |
OK, Miller, here is one for you, IF you have
bookshelves or other surfaces that are subject
to vibrating when you play music...
I busted an overhead flourescent light cover on the way home
from Home Depot, one of my favorite audio stores.
Instead of throwing it away, I cut it and placed it underneath books
on a bookcase, and cds on some shelves. The smooth side is
placed down on the surface, and the "rough" side up, in contact
with books/cds.
I'm hearing an improvement! Right up there with the fo.Q tape,
shungite plates, and Nobsound (knock off) units. |
