[Danberg]

Want to upgrade the analog portion of my audio system and have a million questions.  Would like to budget $1500 - $2000.

Present system
Audio Research LS16 MkII line stage
Classe' CA-200 amp
Rotel RCD-975 CD player
Interconnects: Nordost SPM
VMPS RM30M (mega woofer) w/TRT dynacaps
Speaker wire: Nordost Blue Heaven

vintage 1975:
Kenwood KD-550 turntable (direct drive, concrete resin base - heavy!)
Kenwood factory stock "S" shaped arm w/ Kenwood cable
cartridges: Audio Technica AT122-LP & AT XL3-40 (vintage 1980)
phono stage: Parasound PPH-100 (aprox. 3 yrs old)

About 300 LP's in my collection, all from the 1970's & 80's

Your thoughts on the importance and synergy between a new; turntable, arm, arm cables, phono stage & cartridge.  How should I apportion the funds for each?  Specific product recommendations would be helpful.

By the way, in doing research, I saw on Vinyl Asylum an opinion that "cartridges sound the same."  The turntable, arm , arm cable & phono stage are what determines the quality of the sonics.  I find that very hard to believe as I can hear a differnce between my two cartridges.  What do you think?

[mcrespo71]

What are your sonic priorites?  No table does everything, so you should tailor a table to your priorities and types of music you listen to.  As for the cartridge not making a difference, that's BS.  I still think the table is more important, but the cartridge does matter.

Michael

[Tonto Yoder]

Are you close at all to Shaker Heights?  Don Better carries the Nottingham line. It's always nice to  actually audition gear rather than just buy mail-order or second-hand (though those avenues have their good point$).  
Notty Ohio

Not sure if he carries competing lines, so that you'd have some tables to compare.

[ohenry]

You would be well served to check out the Bugle and with power supply at Hagerman for a great, low-cost phono stage.  It would be a good fit for a TT in your price range whether you build it or purchase it assembled.  My Bugle does wonders for my VPI HW-19.  

[Carlman]

I like that Kenwood... good base.  If it were me, I'd upgrade the arm... I'm not sure to what.... you'll need to check into what would work.  I'm not familiar with the sonics of the cartridges you have but the arm choice will likely help to determine the right cartridge.

If you decide to start over, let me know if you sell the Kenwood.

I just finished putting together a vinyl rig... If I had to do it over again, I'd get a Pro-Ject RM9 and Dynavector 10x5 w/ a Bugle phono pre made by Jim Hagerman. (www.hagtech.com)  I have the Pro-Ject RM4 and it's OK but it's the weakest link in my vinyl rig... I have the 10x5 and Bugle and am very pleased with them.

That whole package should be in your budget... and it'd all be new and with warranty... and would likely be better than what you have overall.

[WEEZ]

Depending on your tastes, I have used and would recommend Dynavector cartridges with Rega arms & tables. Great synergy- and would fall in your budget. The P25(now replaced with the P5) comes with a high-end phono cable.

I currently use a VPI HW-19JR w/ MKIII platter & clamp; Audioquest PT-9 arm w/ Cardas Cross DIN cable; Grado Sonata cart. It seems to have more bass and full bodied sound than my former Rega set-up- with wonderfull highs; but the midrange is to die for. The Rega has better pace and timing than the VPI, but doesn't have the same "weight" in it's presentation. The VPI is darker- which works better in my system & room.

Both set-ups would be in your price range.

As far as phono-amps are concerned, I will admit my bias- I have tried tube phono amps and didn't have much satisfaction. (Haven't heard the bugle). My experience has been that I am not satisfied with the noise level in the tube phono's I've tried- and the output impedence is usually too high for me to achieve synergy when using my tape deck.

I use the phono section in my pre-amp currently- but have auditioned the Grado PH-1 phono-amp and it's wonderfull with a Grado cartridge (no surprise). It's my next upgrade.

Since you are using a tube line pre-amp, maybe a good solid state phono amp like the Rega Fono; the Grado; or the Lehman would suffice. Low output impedence, and accurate RIAA performance.

I've rambled long enough, but one last thought: How does your vintage Kenwood sound? Maybe a new stylus and a good re-balancing and set-up will satisfy you?

Keep us posted and good luck..

WEEZ

[Rocket]

Hi,

I have a Bluenote piccolo turntable.  Needledeoctor have it on special with a b5 signature tonearm (i have the stock b5 tonearm) for $995us.

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/c.ACCT106601/sc.2/category.345/.f

I checked out a number of turntables i.e. the project perspective, rega 3 and 25 prior to purchasing the bluenote.  It has a good quality motor, tonearm and spindle/bearing (not plastic looking like the rega's).

You could check out the nottingham range of turntables which continually get good reviews.

For a relatively inexpensive phonostage you just Can't go past the bugle.  I have a battery version and it is better than my perreaux sxv-1 phonostage ($350us).

A shure v15 can be bought from www.jacksmusicfactory.com for about $200us.

Hope this helps in your search.

regards

rocket

[Beezer]

I have used a Rega P-3 and Nottingham Interspace and would recommend either, especially used.  In either case I'd use the the Rega RB300 arm or one of its variants.  I started with the Rega and Dynavector 10X4 cartridge and it was a real revelation compared to my CD player.  I went through various tweaks/upgrades on the arm including the heavywight and structural mods, both of which were great bang for the buck.  

I then upgraded to the Nottingham table and feel no need to move from it.  Compared to the Rega, it just seemed like the sound was more solid with better bass and a "blacker" background.  I now use an Origin Live Silver tonearm and am loving it.  I just saw a new Nottingham Interspace table (no arm) on Audiogon for $825.  Somebody should grab that!  Used RB300's go for ~$250-300, and then get the Dynavector cartridge or maybe that AVA longhorn or whatever it's called.  I think it's less than $200 and supposedly kicks butt.

As for seperate phono preamps, I liked my AES PH-1, but there are plenty out there in the $300-500 range, especially used.  I now have a JJ Electronics 243 preamp with a built-in phono stage and it sounds better than any other combo I have had, including a BAT preamp and Pass Labs phono stage.

Check out that Nottingham dealer nearby.  Maybe you can bring that Kenwood along for giggles.

Good luck and have fun.

Beez

[Tonto Yoder]

I then upgraded to the Nottingham table and feel no need to move from it.  Compared to the  ...

Has Nottingham discontinued the Interspace (it's no longer on the asl site)??
If so, that Ohio dealer may just have access to the Horizon or Spacedeck.
The Audiogon Interspace DOES seem like a bargain, esp. if it includes the big platter that was included in a special package deal.  One local dealer thought the "modded" Interspace was the equal of a stock Spacedeck.

[Beezer]

Has Nottingham discontinued the Interspace (it's no longer on the asl site)??

I heard a while back that they might discontinue it, but can't say for certain.  Of course, if the distributor isn't showing it on their website...  

Beez