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Vinyl System Upgrade Path Recommendations

Hey gang! New to the forum but I’ve been really enjoying reading through old threads. I would be interested in the community’s thoughts on a natural upgrade path for my system.


Current System:

  • Pioneer PL-530 w/ Audio Technica AT 13 Ea
  • Apt Holman Preamplifier
  • Eico ST-70 (using as a power amp, line in)
  • Totem Arros


I listen to a wide variety of genres but with an emphasis on jazz and more recently classical. Overall the system performs well. I’m getting a good warmth for my taste and decent detail.


Moving forward I’d like to pull a little more clarity and separation out, but not create a clinical reproduction. I do dig the warmer sound. I’m also interested in trying to reduce background noise and pops/clicks. I’m already big on cleaning my LPs which has helped a ton, but I’m curious where to invest next.


I’ve also started listing more on headphones (Schiit Jotunheim + Hifiman HE400i) where I notice even more background noise.


So what do think? Better stylus / cartridge? Different TT? Alternative phono stage? Cables… ?


I try to be conservative with my spend (everything I own was purchased used), but I’m not afraid to shell out where appropriate.


Any suggestions? Thanks!



designtaylor

Showing 12 responses by designtaylor

designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
Old thread but since limomangus decided to breathe some life into it I thought I would give an update on how my system has evolved in case anyone finds it useful. 

After lots and lots of component switching (amps, phonos, carts, speakers, cables) this is where I've ended up:
  • Pioneer PL-530 (The only piece that remains the same. I keep looking at upgraded tables but never pull the trigger. The Pioneer is so convenient and now that has an upgraded cart sound great.)
  • Denon DL-301ii 
  • Cinemag based SUT
  • Bottlehead Eros
  • Schiit Freya S
  • Decware Torii MKII
  • Klipsch Heresy III
I got very interested in tubes, SET in particular with high-efficiency speakers. I had another iteration of the system with loaded horn speakers and a Bottlehead Stereomour but ultimately decided I wanted more drivers. I've purchased nearly everything second hand or b-stock to reduce the overall spend. I can't say I'm done tinkering but this set up seems to be holding strong for now. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@islandmandan  - thanks for your note. You make a good point that to really know where there's room for improvements ruling out the media is a great first step. I use the groovewasher system on a daily basis and the Spin-Clean for more problematic LPs. 

@glennewdick - yeah, I've been interested in trying a new cart to see how it alters the sound, @Otofon blue has been recommended numerous times as a quilty, but not crazy spendy, option. s

@mr_m  - seems like an outboard phono stage would also be fun to mess around with. I've been shopping those as well from the very direct Rega Phono Mini or Schiit Mani, to more complex and configurable things like the Puffin Phono DSP. 

@lowrider57 - I don't know anything about power conditioning. I'll have to get up to speed on that. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@yogiboy - ah right, just the stylus, that's good value, thanks! 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@yogiboy - I believe it was swapped by the original owner, but not sure how much time it's done. That's a few votes for a cart upgrade. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@glennewdick - Great feedback! Really appreciate the guidance and prioritization. The dollars per result tradeoffs are tricky (and I'm sure personal taste factors in), but your points are well taken. 

I'll probably start with cart, seems like one of the more obvious weak links. The phono stage in the Apt Holman seems to be well regarded by some and certainly made a huge improvement over the integrated one in my Eico, but I'm very curious to hear what an alternative sounds like. 

Better cleaning equipment and basic power management after that. Down the line, new TT, amp, speaker, cables, etc. ;) Rinse and repete. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@noromance - by *Front End* I'm guessing you mean the TT as a whole? Or is the phono stage included in that?

I don't want to throw good money after bad buying fancy carts for a problematic TT, but I'm also not sure I'm ready to upgrade it (which I'm guessing would still have me purchasing a new cart as well?).

Other folks I've talked to have said that even an entry level pro-ject, u-turn, or rega would run circles around my old Pioneer but I'm somewhat skeptical since my previous table was a modern Audio-Technica AT-LP120 (I know, I know, not the same class) and my vintage Pioneer outperforms that thing on every level. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@noromance @stereo5 @kommanderkurt - thanks for the advice guys! I'll take a look at the Ortofon and Nagaoka stuff. 

Does anyone else have experience with the Apt Holman Preamp? The improvement I got from the built-in photo stage over the one in my Eico was great but the mid tones (vocals especially) still seem muddy. I'm thinking it might be worth trying an external phono stage to see of there is a difference. Maybe it's better to start a new thread on that topic specificly. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@jrpnde - thanks for the notes! That's awesome that you've owned your PL350 since new! I did see some notes about the weak tonearm before picking mine up so I checked and it's all good. The table was serviced by a local shop (Austin Stereo) before I snagged it but probably worth double checking the cart set up. I mean overall the system sounds good, I'm just looking for great, on a budget. 

Have you tried other phono stages? How would you describe the sound of the Grahm Slee?  
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
Thanks @stevecham the Nagaoka will be high on my list. At that price point it and with all the positive reviews I've read it seems like a nobrainer. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
Thanks @nkonor & @rockrider for more solid advice. Cleaning and maintaining my "source" was a consistent theme. I'll look into building or buying a good cleaning solution. 

I appreciate the note about avoiding too many lateral moves in favor of saving up for bigger and better upgrades. As I'm still gaining knowledge about how equipment impacts things and still developing a better understanding of my personal preferences, I will likely want to experiment a bit with similar level options before moving up to the big time. I really enjoy that you can buy and sell used gear and get to try a lot of things. For instance, before I settled on the Eico I had a Fisher KX-200 and a Dynaco SCA-35. Before the Totems, it was JBL L40s. 

Next moves are clean, clean, clean... and probably the Nagaoka MP110, and possibly a new phonostage. 

Any recommendations on good shows to keep an eye out for? I'm in Austin TX. We've got a few vintage and high-end audio shops but it's pretty limited. 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@kahlenz - I've been looking at th4 Mani. I'm very happy with the headphone amp I have from Schiit and the reviews on the Mani are outstanding. At $130, gotta be worth a try. 

@nkonor - Thanks for the info on possible events to attend. I will get those on the calendar. Used to live in Chicago myself. Winter is coming ;) 
designtaylor's avatar
designtaylor OP
48 posts
 
@stringreen - I've been really enjoying my Hifiman HE400i with Schiit Jotunheim amp. The sound is strong, acurate, and exciting. But I still enjoy listening to speakers a little more. 
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