2. analog
  3. 166435-98013

recommendation for a high end analog system

I never had an analog system until last month. I bought a 1989 SOTA TT with vacuum/Sumiko MMT arm/Dennon 103R retyped with elliptical/sapphire cantilever. My phono is Kitsune MK5 WBT that is amplified by Don Sach 2 tube preamp and Pass X350.5. My speaker are Sound Lab M545 ESL. The TT has been very   well maintained despite its age. It sounded very good until I heard my friend's system which has the same TT but with Lyra Skala cartridge and first generation Triplanar arm (Spectral pre/amp). His sounded noticeably clearer and fuller. What is the best way to get a noticeable improvement in my system without breaking the bank (or before I have to squint to hear the improvement). I would love to hear some wisdom from analog-philes.
128x128chungjh
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@lohanimal I was lucky to find NOS genuine Pickering D4000 stylus in the box :) 
lohanimal
659 posts
 
@chakster nice
vpi's avatar
vpi
223 posts
 
Just read all posts and generally agree with most advice.  Must add my endorsement to “ditch the dust cover”.  It cannot improve and most likely will degrade the sound.  Next, I think you are expecting too much from your Denon 103.  I currently own a Denon 103m which is supposed to be the best of the 103 series.  My 103 has been retired with Andy Kim’s best.  I also own a Lyra Delos, a van den hul black beauty special X and an Air Tight PC-1.  The 103 is a “nice” cartridge but not in the same class as my others.  The Sota is an excellent tt and the Triplaner an outstanding arm.  I really think you would not be doing them justice with your Denon cartridge.
chungjh's avatar
chungjh OP
265 posts
 
@vpi 

I am realizing that. I was hoping to get the "ultimate" sound on the cheap with retipped Denon 103R, but I guess you get what you pay for.
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