Wish to Upgrade Phono Stage and Cart

Preamp or cart first? Maybe if cart first, then decide which way sonically you wish to go.  There are so many great cartridge choices - Ortofon, Lyra, Soundsmith, Audio Technica.....  If you plan to try different cartridges, then maybe phono-preamp first.

"But does it even compete with my Allnic H5500?"

I'm curious if the retail difference($2k) is justified.

Performance- I would guess the PL would at minimum be competent with any setup the Allnic served, except for the additional gain it has? 

Allnic wins with more cartridge choice and multi arm setup. Likely it also would win the idle/volume cranked noise contest, since the PL is tube MC gain.

Arguably the PL with tube/cable tweaking/system synergy, might approach something 2X MSRP?

Used 5500's are going for low $4K/high 3's. If I found one at the time I picked up the PL, I would have one. I found the lightly used PL at 40% off MSRP. 

I thought about the Evo 100. Like the brand. But does it even compete with my Allnic H5500? Like the Aura, which is a solid state device, would it be an upgrade? Certainly, the Aphelion cart would be an upgrade.

With my busy lifestyle, often, I warm my system and never get to hear a song. I feel bad for my tubes. So there's that. 

Minus K platform is out of our budget, but thanks for the knowledge as, my Rega is sitting on maple which is sitting on glass.

I would give my left nut to have a P10...Anything else would be gravy.

need time machine to go back before I read this :)

I would give my left nut to have a P10...Anything else would be gravy.

Aphelion seems like a logical choice but as others said, raising the VTA is an easy task if I wanted to explore Allnic cartridge gems.

I can get a nearly new Allnic H7000 a very deep discount, but it's still painfully expensive, especially given the cost of an Aphelion.

My wife has a system. No turntable in it thank God. We have a pretend-O-war regarding who's system sounds the best. It's neck and neck...

Late edit- Rega P10+ Aphelion-not Apheta. Why not use the top Rega cart?

@desalvo55 Dover gives good advice. Listen to him. 

Rega P10+ Rega Apheta

It's a  no fuss install and the only limitation is the signal  path downstream. 

Get a Minus K platform for absolute isolation.

Want more? Open wallet WIDE.

Phonostage- why not a lower  level Allnic?

Something different and lots of tubes - NVO Spa

Years ago the flavor of the month on Agon.

Presently enjoying the all tube Prima Luna Evo 100 under $4K.

Competes with other tube units subjectively up to $10+

Responds to tube rolling, but good out of the box. Very quiet for all tube(rectifier and MC gain)

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

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.

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.

@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.

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.

I am probably losing half my braincells every hour but I couldn't figure out what your story and dilemma is. Seems like you have the top of the line of everything and two of each. Good for you. Always buy the more expensive option, it will most likely sound better.

So, you liked the sound of the Yamaha cR820 with your front end better than the Allinic? If so, I would stop at this point and analyze what is going on. If I read the situation correctly you like lower resolution warm sound of the old Yamaha. In this case you are in the wrong camp with the Allnic. You would not want to upgrade that unit, but replace with a warm alternative… more info would be required to go further. Speakers, what did you like about the Yamaha, etc.