Upgrade Advice for music lover

gruebmeyer-m OP 

• @frank: thanks for all of that good info. I am a little intimidated by tube stuff but will check out those links. Thank you!

You're welcome.

No need to feel intimidated at all. If you are truly a music lover as you stated, then tubes are the way to go. You have a wonderful turntable and it truly deserves tube electronics. 

One of the most musically involving systems I've heard to date consisted of a Linn turntable, a pair of Linn Kan speakers on stands, a modified Dynaco Pas preamp, and a pair of modified Dynaco Mk III mono tube amps. It didn't throw the biggest soundstage, nor did it have the deepest depth, but John Coltrane's sax was right there in the room with us.  It was spellbinding.

Go with tubes, you won't be sorry. 

Frank

*but will :)

@frank:  thanks for all of that good info.  I am a little intimidated by tube stuff, butt will check out those links.  Thank you!

Thanks, @rego.  I guess you are saying an even demand on the amp allows the amp to work at its best?  Thank you.
I agree with the one component/change at a time thing.  I just started the PS upgrade for my tt.  I look forward to that.  I guess then, speakers!

From one music lover to another ...

If it were me, I’d go with tube electronics. Check out the beautifully restored and modified Dynaco Stereo-70s being offered here on A’gon from time to time. I think they are around $1400. I think Frank Van Alstine has a tube preamp at a reasonable price too. Check these out >>>

https://avahifi.com/collections/preamplifiers/products/transcendence-10-rb-preamplifier

With that preamp, you'll need a phono stage. Van Alstine can take care of you there too. 

https://avahifi.com/collections/for-vinyl-lovers/products/vision-q-phono-preamplifier

Here’s one of Van Alstine’s solid-state amps. I can highly recommend this amp as I owned one for a number of years before getting into ARC gear.

https://avahifi.com/collections/power-amplifiers/products/set-120-control-amplifier

Here’s a nice upgraded Dynaco Stereo 70 that is available on A’gon at the moment. It could be sent to Van Alstine to have his circuits installed.

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa8203-dynaco-stereo-70-tube

Frank

The SQ will change with Amplification / Pre choices and a good Phase / 
Impedance will help to give a Coherent Presentation, with a well balanced load to drive.
For example an even 8 ohm (Tube Amp using 8 ohm tap) load will let the Amp work exceedingly well.
Someone here may have some input as to the NAD / Silver 8 combo.
Another more general suggestion would be add / subtract one component at a time and evaluate the differences for yourself, so as to not induce multiples of quality and quantity making evaluation more difficult.

 

@russ thank you!

@rego what does that mean for SQ?

Loudspeakers first. Your choices are good. Save up your money and make an amp change later, perhaps a little more upscale than NAD. 

The Silver 8 looks like a more even Phase / Impedance vs Frequency plot.
Virtually flat 6ohm ...

Better speakers are always worthwhile