What would you chose?


I have 2 systems:
A.
Conrad Johnson 2500A Amp
Conrad Johnson PV-15 Pre-Amp
VPI Scoutmater
B.
Fisher 101c Int
VPI Scout

I had my anniversay this week. My wife officered to buy me one component to upgrade my system.

WHAT WOULD YOU CHOSE TO UPGRADE, and TO WHAT?

TYVM
swimmerone
I would consider two upgrades and splitting the bucks to do so. First, I would definitley add the VPI Motor Controller to your Scout. You will be amazed at the difference it makes to your analog playback. Second, I would sell the CJ PV 15. This is an ok piece of gear for it's time, but a better preamp with a built in phono stage will go a long way to building a better system. Remember that the sound passes through the phono section first and the line stage second so adding a seperate phono preamp to your CJ will not get you better sound. You might consider a used Hovland HP 100 with a the moving coil phono section or any number of units made by Aesthetix or Herron and you might find a sweet deal right here on A-Gon. If you go this route, make sure you have plenty of gain for low output mc cartridges you may want to buy in the future. I would say a gain of 60 to 70db will do great. BTW throw in a pair of very good interconnects and a good power cord as well. Now if you have the $$$ and can afford a seperate preamp and phono pre, go for it! Look for a phono preamp that will give you maximum flexibility for gain, cartridge loading options, and an active transformer without a step-up device to get you all the gain you want.