2. analog
  3. 151879-112817

Upgrade cartridge or turntable?

I have a Rega Planar 3 turntable with an Ortofon Blue cartridge which has served me well. I’ve had them both now for two years and am around the 1000 hr mark which in itself draws debate.  I’m looking for opinions on either a cartridge upgrade, or a turntable.  Can go to 2000 for TT, also considering MC cartridge which would involve a new phonostage.  Let’s hear it.
udog

Showing 2 responses by terry9

terry9
2,354 posts
 
According to expert advice I ignored in my youth, turntable first, tonearm second, cartridge third. I ignored this advice, to my cost. For one thing, turntables and tonearms don't wear out.

Another thing to consider is bang for buck. There is a tonearm which is within your budget which punches far above its weight (and cost): the Trans-Fi Terminator (yeah,  I know, but I didn't name it). Air bearing sled, and solid, intuitive, repeatable adjustments just like tonearms costing 10 or 20 times as much. I have two of them, running MC cartridges with an air bearing TT.

Put the balance into a record cleaning machine - I like ultra-sound. Works for me, but YMMV.
terry9
2,354 posts
 
Miller is dead right about the look and feel. I use top line vintage test equipment like oscilloscopes and signal generators just because they look and feel better. It makes a big difference when you look forward to fiddling with things, rather than just enduring the necessity of doing so.

And, as Miller also says, "...take your time."
More to discover