recommendations for TT + arm + cart, around $3.5k


Hi all - I'm looking to upgrade a Rega P1 to something more substantial. My setup (currently being upgraded):

Focal 1027Be Speaker
Rogue Audio M-180 Tube amp
Peachtree Audio Nova preamp/DAC
Rega P1 with NAD PP2 phono stage

Can anyone recommend some turntables that I should check out? I know comparing the P1 with something in the $3.5k price range is wildly unfair, but FWIW it's sound is too soft for me, so I'm looking for something on the brighter side. I listen to all kinds of music, with the bulk being rock/jazz/country/folk and a little classical of late).

I plan to upgrade the phono stage in the not-too-distant future, but I'd like to get the table sorted first. Budget of, say, $3500 all-in (table + arm + cartridge).

TIA!

Justin
jerico

Showing 1 response by drrsutliff

Yuo basically have thre issues that can contribute to the sound or lack ther of that you are seeking. As Newbee stated the cartidge can be possibly more critical than the "table" (though the cartridge/arm match is critical), but also the phono preamp. I moved through three stages (first SS external. second tube external and now using the internal stage in my VAC pre. Each change brought about an additional removal of the "veiled layers". The phono pre is as much responsible for the final tone of the signal from the cartridge as the cartrige is in picking it up from the groove. The table and arm just allow a better translation of those signals. Just more to think about.
Rick