[mlundy57]

I have a turntable I like with a Rega RB303 tonearm and Ortophon 2M Black cart. I’m thinking about upgrading the cart to a Soundsmith Zephyr Star. My phono preamp, a PS Audio Stellar Phono, can handle the Star including the loading requirements of 470-1,000 ohms.

Everything I’ve read leads me to think going from the 2M Black to the Zephyr Star would be a big improvement in SQ. The question is how much sense does it make to replace a $750 cart with a $2k cart on a $600 arm?

I got my answer, thanks.

[TABARD]

Hi, You would do better upgrading your Arm, the Rega arms are very grey sounding. Try out a Hadcock 242
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwin-6W78KP1AhXnT2wGHfLZBb8QFnoECCUQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.turntableworld.co.uk%2Fanalogue-c49%2Ftonearm-zone-c3%2Ftonearms-c4%2Fgh242-unipivot-tonearm-p2&usg=AOvVaw0wQ21Um1NV0KCoGSj60v2c.
Reportedly as good as an SME V. Or go the whole hog & go 12'', then you would really see what the Black can do.

Cheers