2. analog
  3. 187170-74203

Phono Stage, Tonearm, Cartridge Question - Which is the most important?

I’ve been on this site for some time and have always been impressed with the amount of knowledge here.  I am a music lover to the core and I really enjoy the end result of high-end audio.  Over the past 3-4 years I have significantly upgraded my system based on advice here and from professional retailers. I have no technical skills or background but would say I have graduated from “I don’t know what I don’t know” to “I know what I don’t know” with what I don’t know being quite a lot.  I am, however, intellectually curious and eager to understand how things work.

With that background, my question is this. When considering the phono stage, tonearm and cartridge chain, which component is the most significant determinant of how a record sounds? I know everyone has different views about how something should sound but which of the three components has the greatest impact on how something will sound and why?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

@puppyt

 

 

 

Ag insider logo xs@2xpuppyt

Showing 1 response by terry9

terry9
2,242 posts
 

I would say phono stage. To get the best from a cartridge you need a great tonearm. To get the most from a tonearm you need a great table. From a table, a phono.

But cartridges wear out fast. Tonearms don't. Tables don't. Phono stages don't. So if you are considering cost, get a great phono stage first. For example, I had a Rega 3 back when - sounded good for the day. With an ARC SP8, the system sang.

I had planned to buy forever speakers that day - Magnepan Tympani IVA. But the SP8 made more difference, so that's what I bought. YMMV

More to discover