Wish to Upgrade Phono Stage and Cart


My current setup is a Rega P10/Apheta 3 cart sending signal to an Allnic H5500. It sound is very pleasing to my ears. 

I placed the Allnic H5500 in front of my vintage Yamaha CR820 and Technics SL1800. Wow. Did not see that coming. I could listen to that all day. 

My current setup is a Allnic T2000 30the Anniversary integrated. My Turntable a Rega P10.

I entertained getting an Allnic H8000 dht but feel that's a bit overkill for my system. I'm now entertaining an Allnic H7000 along with a Cart, perhaps Rose or Amber (all in the family) or even the Rega Auro with the Aphelion cart. 

I'm not the sophisticated/knowledgable audiophile when it comes to vinyl setups. Too much focus on digital over the years I guess, so I look for advice from this knowlegable forum.

128x128desalvo55

I have a Goldring Ethos SE cart. For $2500.00 it is an amazing cart. I have a Goldring Eroica XL cart on my P3. It is a great pairing. As for phono stages, I Have a Saturn Audio on my main system with a Marantz clear audio table, and the basement is a Charisma Audio unit.both paired well with the Goldring cart.

@desalvo55 

The Aphelion 2 is a massive upgrade from the Apheta 3 and I can't understate the word massive. I have listened to this combo in a very high end system and it is very good. The P10/Aphelion 2 will exceed many much more expensive analogue front ends - outstanding value for money.

If you have a P10 I would strongly recommend the Aphelion 2 over the other options simply because you won't have to wrestle with VTA adjustments on the Rega arm which can be difficult because you have to remove the arm and use spacers when you use non Rega cartridges. 

Then look at phono stages to match the Aphelion 2.

Regarding the Yamaha and Technics turntable, I simply added the Allnic phonostage to the aux input of the Yamaha just to see what a modern day high-end phonostage would sound through my vintage equipment. I might keep it there.

So I’m in the market for another phonostage. This would replace the Allnic H5500 that was positioned in my main system. The digital side of this system really sounds great and I’m not going anywhere with that.

I would not characterize the vintage eqiupment paired with the Allnic phono ’warm’ but certainly not as detailed as my main rig. Perhaps it was nostalgic but in a good way and performed far better than I expected.

 

Thanks Dover, I did not think about having to modify the Rega using certain cartridges. There seem to be so many well reviewed ones in audio land. It's also true that there are reviews that marry the Rega to the Allnic H7000 with great synergy. That's a very expensive direction to travel.

The Goldring carts are great to as I understand.

It's hard to know with the collection of pieces mentioned, how it will sound in the end but they are all high performers. I'm sure some tweaking would get the magic I'd be looking for.

No need to remove the arm on the Rega for VTA adjustments as there are two piece spacers available that you just loosen the screws/lock down nut and slide them in from the sides. Just sayin. Enjoy the music