What are the optimal percentages for analog system


What percentages of cash should be allocated to a cartridge, phonostage, and table. Looking to upgrade and get the best bang for my buck.
bill10907

Showing 2 responses by daverz

I would start with the best table you can afford. Usually you can get the arm in a package deal. Putting on an arm of your choice is something you might do once you have more experience with the gear.

Cartridges are small, fragile things, and unfortunately they do not get more robust as the prices go up. They also need to be retipped or replaced every few years, and even replaceable styli on moving magnets can cost half the initial cartridge outlay. So don't forget to figure in these replacement costs and your pain level for breakage.

A good phono preamp can make a huge difference, but doesn't have to be expensive. It's also the easiest analog component to change when you're looking for a different sound.
I moved the RB300 arm from my Planar 3 to a Gyro SE, which was a huge upgrade in quietness (both less mechanical noise and less surface noise retrieval) and soundstage stability. The Rega arms are good enough to keep if you can get a good deal on an armless table (figuring in the loss of resale value of the whole table + arm).