2. analog
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Relative Importance of Analog Components

We see people struggling with what to upgrade next, or where to direct their attention if everything seems to be working fairly well. I'm probably a bit more inclined to give more importance to sources and less to speakers than most people, but in general I like to look at which component is the 'rate-limiting factor' which one holds back the rest and then concentrate on improving that.

But to look specifically at vinyl reproduction, I have the strong impression that out of the four main components, they can be ordered in importance of potential effect on sound like this:

Cartridge

Phono stage

Tonearm

Turntable

I'm sure other people would list those four in a different order. How would you rank them and why?

 

dogberry

Showing 1 response by pops

pops
2,272 posts
 

I can’t rank them as the weakest link would glare IMO.  Great cartridge is huge but has to have a great arm to perform at its best.  Then the phono stage has to be up to par with the arm/cart.   
 

Until I upgraded my tonearm to a basis vector 4 I thought the same thing as Russ above.  But man what a difference it made to my presentation it was jaw dropping compared to other upgrades I have made.  After all the arm just gives the cartridge a ride, right?   Man is that ever an understatement.   
 

 

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