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What $ percentage goes into the turntable, the arm, preamp, and cartridge?

So lets talk percentages.  On the Origin Live website, they stated a given budget should divide into 30% in the turntable, 30% in the preamp, 30% in the tonearm, and 10% in the cartridge.   Given today's blue sky pricing on cartridges, that 10% number seems a bit low, so increasing it will subsequent decrease the others.   On the other hand, they sell tonearms, so I am sure there is a bias there.   Given today's pricing of analog stuff, maybe TT = 25%, preamp = 25%, Tonearm = 25%, and cartridge = 25%?

Obviously, these percentages aren't cast in concrete but they do give someone an idea how to spend their money, regardless of how much they are going to spend.    I am looking for a balanced system here, so going cheap on a cartridge with hopes of upgrading later is not a part of my question.   

Anyone have any opinions on this?   
128x128spatialking

Showing 1 response by bkeske

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bkeske
5,593 posts
 
For me, I bought my SOTA table used, and as it turns out, it cost about the same as my new Hagerman Trumpet MC phono pre. My arm and cartridge were more expensive than each.

SOTA Sapphire III (used) 20%
Jelco 850 MKII arm (new) 25%
Soundsmith MIMC cart (new) 35%
Hagerman Trumpet MC phono pre (new) 20%

That is just how mine ’shook out’. IMO, I do think in most cases, the cart is most important to spend a significant amount on. I use other carts very occasionally, but the Soundsmith MIMC makes it all better. That said, had my SOTA Sapphire been new, it would have been closer to 44% of the cost (or more), all others remaining the same. And the table is significant as well. It all is.

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