OK real talk time. Maybe try great MM cart. The SUT is not the strong point of your Allnic. Keep everything same and try a Nagaoka MP500 or whatever else floats your boat similar?
Hana is OK too, not great but very even handed.
What is the best tonearm for a SOTA Nova turntable?
I haven't played an LP for a while now. I've moved from CD's to streaming both Tidal and my own rips from a Roon Nucleus plus. My SOTA Nova with an ET2 arm has been sitting idle along with hundreds of high quality LP's. I've heard that the ET2 is not a good match with the SOTA, and may be the weak point in my analog chain. (SOTA-ET2-Lyra Kleos -Allnic 1201 phono stage- ARC Ref6- PS Audio-BHK300 amps-Reference 3a Grand Veena speakers and unnamed sub system.
My digital system with a Holo May DAC and Roon with HQP trounces the analog system pretty soundly.
I'd like to resurrect the analog system as I have read that I'm missing out not using it.
My question is, where can I make the most improvement for the least cash outlay?
I'd like to keep the SOTA table, but everything else is expendable.
Thanks in advance for some help.
-John
Showing 6 responses by solypsa
Triplanar is more costly than the Primary Control Arrow fyi, but is also a good one :) As far as phono goes its always worth trying when there is an easy return but I would keep the allnic around to compare. Not sure the PS Audio would be a hands down winner, maybe just different... With a table and cart such as you have, phono preamp will really be critical to allow everything to achieve best results. |
I do MC most of the time. The OP was leaning towards a Hana and keeping his Allinic 1201 so clearly not in the mindset to spend a lot on either cart or phono. So in that case a best in class MM might make more sense. Not saying they are better overall.
As you know I am in the trade and sell MC carts but they more costly than a Hana... ;) |
@gyneguy225 Have fun with the Kiseki! For Balanced out ( and in ) phono be aware of the Audiospecials Phonolab . Not a tube unit tho... I am their dealer so will refrain from subjective commentary. I do have a gently used demo unit available. |