What's my best upgrade options


Hello Audiogon forum,

I have an opportunity to upgrade something, but I'm unsure what the best option would be.  I just got a pair of Magico A5s, and they were a huge upgrade to my system.  I think what I'm looking for is more clarity, more crystal clear detail, maybe lower noise floor, if that makes sense.  I have an ARC Ref 150, PS audio BHK pre and stellar phono pre.  My sources are a Rega P3 with an older Ortofon MC 30 and a Cary audio CD500 cd player.  My cables are a mix of whatever I got from a dealer buying complete systems a long time ago, and some i've bought since.  I also have a surge protector I run everything thru, except the amp, I run it directly into the wall.

My options are a PS audio power conditioner, a rega P6 with newer ortofon MC cartridge, maybe a PS audio CD player or jay's audio CD player.  I could also get better speaker cable, and / or XLRs.

Thanks y'all.  1st post!

dothebluecolts

I think looking at your sources (Vinyl or CD playback) would be an area that the improvement you seek could be found.  Decide which one you predominantly use for your playback and focus in that area to see what improvement it brings.  Clarity from a pair of Magico A5s certainly would be expected but it has to start at the source. 

I don't think you will get  much out of  Rega P3 to P6 change

I would update the cartridge. I am in the same boat. (Nothing like your system, just the Rega P3 and the need to upgrade the elys 2 with several 1000s of hours on it.)

I think what I’m looking for is more clarity, more crystal clear detail, maybe lower noise floor, if that makes sense.

I have had problems with noise when using the higher gain XLR connections. I had to use an adapter and put a pad in the line. Went from too noisy to dead quiet.

 

Your table/cartridge are certainly the bottleneck in an otherwise stellar system. That's where you should start.