Your set up is pretty well matched, any one change will make a small difference, but not a huge one until all three are switched out. My opinion here, but I'd upgrade the turntable first, keeping mind the level of new cartridge you are aiming for, then the preamp. Normally I'd suggest the cartridge first, but I own a Raga P6 and Rega's are known for not being very adjustable, so you might end up with a cart that is not that much of an upgrade. Therefore, the turntable first, so you can upgrade to a much better cartridge, then the pre amp to get the most out of the new cart. That's what I would logically do if I couldn't do the whole thing at once..
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IF you like Jazz, there are a heckofalotta great MONO LP’s out there. I was convinced here to try a real mono cartridge. It is definitely better: a bit, some, a lot. Thus, you want a tonearm with removable headshell, and an alternate MONO cartridge mounted, aligned, ready to switch. Removable headshell opens the possibility of having a MM stereo cartridge and a MC stereo cartridge, now or in the future. A friend I met here saw/heard my setup (3 arms) and decided he wanted the potential for 2 tonearms specifically for the Mono Jazz LP’s he had and would be buying. We researched, he settled on a used Luxman PD-444 with two arms. It’s an elegant looking TT IMO, and the technology can compete with new equipment. Point is, he was all set to buy a new TT, single arm, fixed cartridge until he saw the true ease of switching stereo/mono in a listening session. btw, that Luxman has a built-in Junction box to select which tonearm goes to your phono, so you do not need more than a single input on your SUT or phono stage. I need a SUT with 3 inputs and PASS for MM. here’s a nice one
used is always a bit of a risk, but I bet it works wonderfully. Chakster, our missing analog friend, had two of them in his system, that’s when I learned they existed. Check for any used item: this seller takes PayPal, accepts returns, and use your best credit card to fund PayPal. at the top of this page, click ’images’
NOTE: Dust Covers. Many TT’s that allow two or more arms do NOT come with Dust Covers. The Luxman design includes a hinged dust cover. The JVC Plinths CL-P1, CL-P2 (mine), and CL-P3 come with OEM lift off dust covers. They start on top of the Plinth, thus not too tall. Custom dust covers for other TT’s can get quite large and unwieldly.
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That is a hard one. I have to agree with @deadhead1000. Especially not knowing the rest of your system and preferences. There is a place under your User ID to put photos and your components. That would be very helpful.
Also, how big a jump are you planning? My rule of thumb is no less than 2x if you want to have a real wow moment when you hear it. Having said that. If I were you, I think I would do the turntable. I owned a number of budget turntables when younger. The system sound took a huge jump when I got a real high end table… although I simultaneously got a high end cartridge. For me it was a VPI Aries and Van den Hull Frog.
I then upgraded my phono stages multiple times until it stopped making a big difference… for me that was the $8K Audio Research PH8. This is available now used at half the price. This would still be an excellent choice.
So, I would recommend looking at tables in the $3K range… or obviously higher if that is possible. This will put you in a much higher performance bracket. Then you will get a great improvement when replacing the cartridge and phono stage. Assuming you have a good quality preamp, amp and speakers in a good sound space. |
The REGA Turntable can be elevated by upgrades through GROOVETRACER.com, highly recommended. The Dynavector 10X5 is a incredibly good sounding cartridge and new versions go for $750! The fact that you have this 10X5 mounted on a REGA tonearm shows you know what your doing as this is a very synergistic combo! THE key to awesome vinyl sound is the phono pre amp, I would try a Musical Surroundings NOVA , or phonomena ll. To spend more money just makes things more sensitive and takes some of the fun factor away IMO.
Matt M |