Moving Up from a Jolida JD9


Thinking about moving up from my modded Jolida JD9. It has Audyn caps, Sonic Imagery Discrete Op Amps, and sounds about as good as it ever will. I'd just like to have something that sounds smoother and more refined. I'd like to stay with tubes, preferably 12AX7's as I have a bunch of them already on hand. My budget is around $1500 and I have no problem with buying used gear. I have a VPI Scout with an ART9xa cart. I mostly listen to classic rock, blues, and smooth jazz. Any suggestions, opinions, advice will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Sam

128x128slovell

Going on seven years for me. My knees aren't great but my lower back is absolutely junk. 
I've thought about getting set up for streaming and may do it next year if I'm still around. I really need to start thinking about downsizing as I can hear my clock ticking nowadays. It'll be tough to sell lps I've had since the sixties.

OP,

Understood. I get the difficulty in parting with the LPs. You can see my wall of albums under my UserID, also started in the ‘60s. The sad thing is I seldom play them although I have a top notch TT and Phonostage. My audio dealer has instructions to sell it as a collection and my system and give the proceeds to my partner. 

But to maximize your enjoyment, I would think streaming. Way easier on the knees.
 

 

I still play my vinyl two or three times a week. I still enjoy the black art of set up and the ritual of playback. Or maybe I’m just nuts. There are no dealers in my area to help with a sell off so I’ll have to take care of that myself.
Does anyone have an opinion on or experience with the Rogue Audio Ares? There’s one for sale in the classifieds within my budget and it uses the same tubes I alread have. Could possibly be what I’m looking for?
Also found an E.A.T. E-Glo Petit for the same price on another site.

Once you star streaming, your TT will not get nearly the usage as before.  Trust me on this.  I always loved spinning vinyl, but it will definately play second chair after this.

OP I upgraded from JD9 to Sutherland 20/20 and Icon PS3 .Go to tmraudio.com they have some good used phono preamp sometimes.