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Table,cartridge,phono...where to put most of my money?

  Let me start by saying im a digital guy,to be specific a CD/SACD guy.Years ago I ventured back into vinyl only to be totally disappointed in my efforts.I wanted to hear the records I had been hauling around the country every time i relocated.I  bought a Linn LP12 and had  all the upgrades done.I never could get it sounding good,even paid to have it setup by a so called expert...Fast forward ,I tried again maybe 6 years ago.Bought a VPI super scout with a couple different phono stages(dont recall what they were)..About the same outcome,was ok but for all the fuss,time,cost I felt another unsuccessful attempt..A few weeks ago i bought at an auction a direct drive Pioneer table from the 70s for a couple hundred.It was paired with a decent cartridge.I bought a used phone amp off ebay and off and rolling i went.Its no where near my digital side across the board and i didnt expect it to be but its got me wanting more....Long story short,I have a budget of 5k/6k for everything..table,cartridge and phone amp..Yes i understand everything is important but where would you put the bulk of the budget...and what would you buy with the limited info given,,Thanks

missioncoonery

Showing 2 responses by locrian-audio

locrian-audio's avatar
locrian-audio
9 posts
 

That is a great question and a dilemma often faced by my friends that are not vested in a large vinyl collection. I have often recommended to change their preamplifier with a capable preamp with excellent phono built-in. Two come to mind: The CAT SL1 and the Octave 500SE. Both under $5000 used. Personally, I prefer the Octave. The Octave can be bought in Europe with 220V. It is a very easy conversion to 120V, which you will do on your own. I will keep the Linn and with the  the rest of the money, I will buy the best Lyra or Shelter cartridge I can. 

For separates, again, I will keep the Linn and look for a used FM Acoustics FM122 phono. Again, I will use the Lyra or Shelter cartridges. The base VDH Frog is also very good cartridge and I will consider it without hesitation.

Furthermore, I will invest in a good set of cartridge calibration / set-up tools and a good scale to ensure proper alignment and tracking force. Wally Analog is a good source and very helpful. Recommended scales are from Clearaudio and Ortofon.

In both cases, the achieved sound would be at serious high-end levels, provided the rest of your chain is capable for delivering the goods.

Good luck, Basile

locrian-audio's avatar
locrian-audio
9 posts
 

On my prior post, I would like to add that my assumption was that your Linn and its tonearm are not damaged, are lubricated properly and located in a good solid rack. In addition, I would pick 4-6 records that are good recordings with little or no compression to use as my reference. For example, reproductions from Three Blind Mice recordings from IMPEX is a good start (i.e. Isao Suzuki's Blow Up or the TBM 6-LP collection), Keth Jarrett's Koln Concert and Standards Vol 1 and 2, Willie Nelson's Stardust, Talking Heads Live 1980-1981, Patricia Barber's Cafe Blue will be my test foundation to evaluate articulation, harmonics, soundstage and dynamics.

Again, all the best in this journey, Basile

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