2. analog
  3. 169436-214

Suggestions For Analog Upgrade - Tonearm or Phono Stage?

I'm thinking about planning my next upgrade looking for suggestions as to where to get the most improvement for my investment. With champagne taste and a beer budget, I'm definitely interested in used/demo gear.

Current analog setup:
Sota Nova VI table w/vacuum, Eclipse(Condor + Roadrunner) motor controller/tachometer & mag-lev bearing
Audiomods V tonearm with micrometer and silver wiring from clips to RCAs
Nagra BPS battery powered ss phono stage
Dynavector XX2 mk II cartridge

This feeds into:
BAT VK51SE linestage
Krell FBP-300 power amp
Soundlab A3 electrostatic speakers

I've been pretty happy with the Nagra and certainly appreciate their battery-powered implementation that gives me the advantage of being off the noisy power grid, while not suffering the limited dynamics that much battery gear has. But I've always been romanced by a quality tube phono stage. RFI interference in my former locations always led me back to SS phono to eliminate the noisy headache. Now I'm located where that may not be an issue.

One the tonearm side of things, I do have an option to seek an Audiomods upgrade to Series VI, which replaces the aluminum drilled armtube with a new carbon armtube. It also adds a new anti-skate methodology reportedly more stable and user friendly than the older style "fishing line & weight". This route would be low cost, but entail cross-continental shipping and the associated wait times. 

Any plan to replace either piece would be funded from sale proceeds plus a modest incremental investment. That translates to phono stages selling for used at $3K-$4K or tonearms selling used at ~$2K-$3K. Which component would you expect to make the bigger improvement in this system and what specific models that you've heard would you recommend? Cheers,

Spencer

128x128sbank

Showing 4 responses by sbank

sbank's avatar
sbank OP
3,378 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. 

@markusthenaimnut, yeah I'd expect the Shelter 901 to be much better than a 17D3. I've owned a 501mkII in the past which was decent on a Nottingham Space Deck. But the XX2 is at a completely different level.

With the depreciation of cartridges, I'm more inclined to stick with mine until after moving up on both phono stage and tonearm. When I do, I'll be biased towards brands with trade-in options vs. the 3rd party re-tip route. I know that's a controversial subject, but IMHE, many re-tips lose some of the characteristics of the cart's original performance. Cheers,
Spencer
sbank's avatar
sbank OP
3,378 posts
 
@mijostyn,

Yeah, the 4Point and the Schroeder CB both would be great if I could find the right deal. I've recently seen offerings for Schroeder Model 2, but I'm not quite as pumped for that model.

I'm rarely enthusiastic about newer brands and those with a smaller following. Over the years I've learned that many of those lead to big losses when reselling down the road. I'd be hesitant to pull the trigger on a Helius even if I knew it to sound great, which I don't. 

The SME V is a safe choice, holds it's value and is known to be a great match, but I'm not thrilled with the lack of adjustments relative to these other great arms. 

Are you of the opinion that updating the Audiomods to Series VI would yield only a modest enhancement, not worth the time and effort? 

On subs, no thanks. I've heard subs w/Soundlabs and as not wanting to derail the conversation, let's just leave it at pros/cons to doing so. A Swarm might be worthwhile sonically, but wouldn't work in my space.

Cheers,
Spencer


sbank's avatar
sbank OP
3,378 posts
 
@cerrot thanks for the suggestion, which I like, and sorry if I was unclear, but the Allnic would be about double my budget. Cheers,
Spencer
sbank's avatar
sbank OP
3,378 posts
 
@pindac, yes that's great advice. As part of the leadership of a very active local audio group in my prior location, I was spoiled by the regular opportunity to listen to dozens of great systems and do regular comparisons/shootouts, etc. with many diversely and well-informed enthusiasts. Once the world gets a bit safer, I'll be hoping to hook up with Austin TX area folks to share some music, learning and a drink or two. 
For now, I'm making audio plans in relative physical isolation.

FWIW, how would you compare your Audiomods to your SME? Cheers,
Spencer
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