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P5-xe, codex, XLR interconnects

I have an Apollo CDP, Music Hall TT with Goldring 1012 cartridge, feeding through a Clear Audio Nano phono pre, with both going to an Ayre AX-7e. Speakers are Sig 2 Ce.
With a budget of about $3k, I’m trying to figure my next best step.
I’m trying to decide whether I’m better off:
1-getting a new codex, and having about $1k for XLR Interconnects,
2- or getting a new Ayre PX-5e + XLRs
3- or get used codex and PX-5e (both on Audiogon now) and use existing unbalanced interconnects
4- saves more $ and wait for the release of the AX-8e, or spend elsewhere 

I mostly listen to CD’s, maybe 15% vinyl, but also looking forward to going more streaming. 

I guess I’m mainly interested in the difference between balanced streaming through the codex vs the unbalanced CDP,  and the difference between the Clear Audio phono pre and the Ayre phono pre, of course that assumes i’m Not better off upgrading the cartridge. 

I realize this is a question with 100+ answers and appreciate the guidance of you all. 
Thanks 
jetson

Showing 4 responses by tomic601

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,861 posts
 
jetson

let us know where you put the new thread...

but some thoughts....your Rega is quite a musical CD spinner and generally recognized to punch far above its weight class sonically...
but..IMO..
both Ayre and ARC CD players are in a totally different class. I used both extensively in evaluating components for our systems. I found both to be superior to my Mc MCD205
there are still lots of good to great CD players out there - even as the world seems to be moving to streaming or server/dac combinations...
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,861 posts
 
as to the cartridge......IMO given a competent chatter free arm the cartridge and speakers ARE the two most important gadgets in the chain. They are the transducers and also have the highest levels of distortion becuase changing one kind of energy into another is messy....( there will be legion who disagree but a systems engineering math based approach will prove em wrong, ...fodder for another thread
so yes you should look at your cartridge anew...
many of us with more disposable income than sense like to switch cartridges between MC, MM and god forbid other variants..or even just muck with loading, etc in a never ending search for our tail ( or the holy grail )
.....me right now, I am happy with my MC

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,861 posts
 
i took the easy way out....

yes you can wring freaking amazing sound out of a pair of the latest 2’s
I spent an enjoyable few hours doing just that recently with a Rogue KT120 powered integrated, Atoll CD player and a Music Hall ( something or other TT )..... really great sound possible and no doubt Johnny 
 R is among the best in world at getting most out of them.

I am a big Ayre fan and owned for many years the VX- R regular and twenty and strongly considered the Kx-R

i would not obsess over balanced vs SE.....poorly executed balanced no match for competently executed SE although Charley Hansen sure knew his stuff and most of his designs fully balanced throughout.....

so which source do you listen to more ? work on that one first...
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,861 posts
 
replace your great 2ce with Treo.....or used Quattro......
Mogami wires are good, i use them in both my mobile recording rigs..digital and analog
and they are affordable......
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