Which to upgrade first: Turntable or Phono Preamp


Hi, I just recently got back into vinyl about 8 months ago after switching to digital 30+ years ago.  My current setup is as follows:
 - Pro-ject Classic Turntable
 - Hana ML cartridge
 - Vincent PHO 701 phono preamp

I'm very happy with the Hana, but am thinking about upgrading either the turntable or the phono stage.   Although I'm not entirely unhappy with the current setup.   Just going through some upgrade fever I guess.   The question I have is which one do you think I should upgrade first:  Turntable or the Phone stage?

I'm thinking about the Clearaudio Concept turntable and the PS Audio Stellar phono stage, but I'm open to suggestion.   I'm hoping to spend under 3k on either.

Anyway, the real question is whether anyone thinks which upgrade will give me more bang for the buck: Turntable or Phono stage?

Thanks very much in advance.
128x128xcool

Showing 1 response by mulveling

I would 2nd (or N-nd) the idea to upgrade phono stage first. I think both the Pro-Ject and the Vincent (a SS stage with a tube buffer) seem like they’re not quite up to the level of your Hana ML. But upgrading the phono stage first would allow you to enjoy significant benefits immediately without even having to re-mount and adjust the Hana all over again.

Good tube phono stages (a real one, not just a tube-buffer built in) show up on the used market often, and they’re a HELL of a lot easier to ship safely than a turntable.

As for Classic-to-Concept I’m not sure that would be just a "lateral move" (I’ll take a Concept over Classic any day), though you should avoid the Clearaudio magnetic bearing arms (go for Satisfy or Tracer at least), and ideally I think you should strive for a bigger upgrade step like the Performance DC in that line.