Thoughts About Turntable Upgrades


I hope everyone is having a good Saturday. I'm sitting here listening to CDs because at the moment my digital playback is simply better than my turntable. The Audio Mirror Tubadour DAC that I purchased a few months ago is simply outstanding when paired with my old Cary 308. This leads to my questions/musings about turntable upgrades. 

I got back into vinyl a few years ago and purchased the Rega P3 with a Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 preamp as a starter kit. I upgraded the cart to a Denon 301 II, which was big improvement for me. Looking forward, I'm leaning heavily towards a Sota Sapphire. I want a US made table only because I'm interested in having a US based system. The Sota seems like a good fit because I value sound that is more laid-back and I'm looking for a table that will emphasize warmth, soundstage, presence, solidity. That's the best I can offer in verbally describing my goal. I'm frankly looking for something that will top the Tubadour experience! The Rega is good, but after a few albums my ears are a bit exhausted.

Here are my questions:

Do y'all have any thoughts on my leaning towards Sota? Any other recommendations? Is there any reason to start with a new preamp rather than a new turntable? If so, what are your recommendations? 

I'm interested in your responses to these questions, but also any other suggestions as well. Let me have it! 

 

rblondeau

There are very High Quality CD's as there is High Quality Vinyl Pressings

Each are produced with the end Sound Quality being Optimised, as a result of the recording > embedding and production process put in place.

When a CD Source is owned, especially of the Calibre owned by the OP, I strongly advise anybody with a Source purchased, that is of the qualities of the OP's Type, to experience these select Source Recordings on their own system.

I listen to both Vinyl and CD pressing from producers that specialise in the production of the better than the usual recordings.

I have also been able to hear these select recordings on some occasions as Same Album Samples on either of the mediums.

I have also been able to hear certain Albums that are select recordings compared to mainstream releases.

I will 'state categorically' that these pressing do make a difference, there is a price difference, and it is this that is seen to be a sticking point for some. There is even prejudices seen occasionally toward select recordings, as a result of the retail price.

I reiterate my advisory to the OP, before throwing monies at a rearranging the Vinyl Set Up, have a spend on purchasing a few select recordings to be used with your CD. Hopefully a favoured selection of Albums can be discovered from the producers.

I don't see there will be a need to pursue Vinyl with a intention after this experience, as the monies needed will most likely Triple to some of the previous outlays already hinted at.

The Cary, might just become the device that is under the spot light to see whare an alternative can surpass it, especially when replaying those select recordings.

Do Remember, I am a Vinyl through and through enthusiast, who has become aware of how good CD replays are able to be over the past not too many years.

If you want to experience some good quality CD Recordings on the Cheap, search out Albums recorded with Q Sound embedded in them, there are not too many, but they are able to be discovered for reasonable outlays.

 

I can’t comment on Sota…

 

however, a phono-pre upgrade would go a long way. 
I have a Planar 3 with a decent Parasound pre. 
Try the pre first and see?

 

there are the two schools of thought on tables:

- as much mass as your structure can hold. 
- low mass (Rega is a good example). 
 They both have their selling points. 
 

I listen to both Vinyl and CD pressing from producers that specialise in the production of the better than the usual recordings.

I have also been able to hear these select recordings on some occasions as Same Album Samples on either of the mediums.

I have also been able to hear certain Albums that are select recordings compared to mainstream releases.

I will 'state categorically' that these pressing do make a difference, there is a price difference, and it is this that is seen to be a sticking point for some. There is even prejudices seen occasionally toward select recordings, as a result of the retail price.

@pindac +1 ^^

Quality of the source makes ALL the difference with revealing systems. I have been cashing in with some of my "collectable" vinyl, trading them for high quality pressings of the music I listen to these days. My vinyl collection has been morphing into a smaller collection of mostly audiophile vinyl.

As @vonhelmholtz said, my vinyl listening is deliberate and focused. Everything else I stream.

Bruce

MoFi Ultradeck, master tracker cart and Parasound JC 3 jr pre. I am over the moon with the sound. Solid low end, sweet, great pace, effortless… made in the US. 

After spending untold amounts of time in the attempt to make judgments as to what order to place my three sources in terms of fidelity -- CD/SACD, Phono & Streaming, I've simply lost the jones to carve my order of preference in stone. I possess some truly excellent sounding CDs and SACDs. I've got plenty of lovely sounding vinyl. I can glean killer quality tone via Qobuz. The 21st Century is a good place to feed your HiFi yen.