Recommended phono stage to go with McIntosh


Hello-

Looking into upgrading a few elements in my system and would like to hear everyone’s comments/suggestions on how to best move forward. System looks like this:

Piega C10 Ltds speakers
McIntosh Mc402 amp. Possibly adding an extra to run mono as the Piegas like their juice.
McIntosh C2200 preamp
Technics 1200 GR turntable with stock arm
Lehmannaudio Black Cube 2
Carts are MoFi Master Tracker and Vasari Gold Note
Chords are Audience and Shunyata

Upgrading the phono stage, arm and carts at some time. I only have MM carts now. McIntosh does have a recently introduced phono stage, not sure how good it is. Budget for the phono stage is $3000?

Your thoughts suggestions on how to move forward. Thanks!
128x128knollbrent

Showing 3 responses by riley804

@knollbrent 

slow down a bit.       I get that your all excited on how the system sounds, but take a break for a bit and just enjoy what you have .      unless the system doesnt sound good at all, its a good idea to wait a little bit before you start changing components again.

why do you think you need to change the phono preamp ?    whats wrong with the one you have ?     if you were to change it to a McIntosh one, what do you think it will do different than the one you currently have ?


@knollbrent 

only issue with most of the system being tubes is when a tube goes out, so would make sure that you have spares on hand for each piece.
@knollbrent

I enjoy vinyl also and that is all I listen to. I missed the boat on the whole streaming thing, so I just stick to records.

is the Lehmann the weak link because you think it is compared to everything else in the system ?   being new to vinyl, how would you know its the weak link unless you have had something to compare it to ?

are you buying new vinyl or shopping for used as well ?