Rhea Signature vs. ARC PH-7

Jmcgrogan2
Thanks for taking the time to respond. I think there were 90 views, but you are the only one who took the time to answer. I'm relatively new to analog. I played albums back in the 70's and 80's, but defected to CD's around 1987. It took a long while for me to realize vinyl is indeed the best medium. Pls explain why the JMW 9 Sig is not up to snuff for the XV-1S. I know proper mass is important and that a 9" arm will give a certain amount of tracking error, but that's all I know. I always show my ignorance when posting a question, but I am alone in Murfreesboro,Tn and believe it or not, there is not a competent dealer in Nashville who can advise me. I have to learn it all on this site. To answer your question about the cost of upgrades, it is $3K to upgrade the Rhea and $2500 for the Calypso. That will put me with a front end amp investment of around $8K. I was told by an Aesthetix dealer, who will remain nameless, that the separate units would be the way to go and that particular dealer doesn't have a dog in the hunt. My ARC PH-7, going into my Calypso standard, sounds good to me. It's dead quiet with a warm, clear sound. It only has one input and 100 ohms is the lowest setting for a MC cart. Maybe that's sufficient. My Delos isn't even broken in yet, so I expect the sound will become even better in about another 50-75 hours. I'm not wealthy, so I'm not looking to throw money around. My original inquiry was would the Aesthetix Sig's sound better than the PH-7? Also, as your question is directed toward, would I get my investment back when selling the upgraded Calypso and Rhea? Per Aesthetix, they completely re-do the entire units. Basically it would be mostly new components in the original box. Another answer for you is I have a nice Calypso I've had for about a year I bought from a member on Agon-the Rhea will come from another source, but is rated 8/10 and is perfect in both sound and appearance. I have asked you much. Pls try to put me on the right track here.

Your comments are very interesting. Back in the day, I was told the cartridge WAS the most important component before the (what was then) receiver. If the cartridge is not top notch, how can it reproduce better sound? I mean the cart is where it all begins. I do know what you're referring to as far as sticking out or being the weak link. I learned about tonearm mass when I attached a Koetsu Urishi Black to a low mass arm. Pure crap! Perhaps this is what you are referring to. As far as my system sounding good, it's like a comparison I made to doing drugs. I'm not a user, but back in the 60's and 70's I did my share. In that day and mindset, one was always looking for the better high. Today it would be like better wine or a better car etc. I'm not one to consistently want to monkey with always having to have different equipment, but until you've heard a variety, which I have not, I will continue to experiment-a little. I can see those two pieces lasting a long time for me. I mean after you reach a certain level, (many will laugh at this-there are many pieces that cost more than my house and I salute those who can afford them) improvements in sound become minute. However, if you add several of these minute improvements together, sometimes you get a very discernible improvement. Concerning my "arm", are there great arms that will fit my table? I think I'm stuck as long as I keep the Scoutmaster. Have you heard or have any experience with the PH-7? One last thing. I learned that some of the best equipment may not be compatible. It can best in it's class, but "doesn't play well with others." There's this synergy thing I can't explain.

Concerning my comment about there not being any competent analog dealers in Nashville, if you're out there, please make your presence known. I should have said I know of none.