2. analog
  3. 1374590985

Desire upgrade but uncertain where to begin

I have a Project Debut 2 table with a Grado black or red, uncertain. This is currently connected to my Mrantz pm 7200 with internal phono stage. I have a parasound pph-100 that I can hook up but wanted some clarity before I continue. These are output to Cambridge Soundworks Kloss Tower II speakers. Wanted to optimize my analog front end and wanted help deciding if I should move my phono stage to the parasound, and/or get a new cartrige or table. I have entry level budget but just wanted some comments and opinions about best place to start to improve sound. Current set up has narrow sound stage yet warm and detailed. There is an adequate tight bottom end but the top is a bit subdued--cymbals need more detail at the top end. Any comments about alternate analog front end would be great.
mortificatio
10 responses Add your response
manitunc
795 posts
 
you need to decide on a budget. I personally would start over with a different front end in the $2500 range new retail if I was buying new.Or something in the $1000 range used. For sure get a better cartridge, but you can only go so far with that table and arm. If you just want to spend a couple of hundred max, get a cartridge.
mortificatio OP
2 posts
 
Any ideas on cartridge for current set-up?
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Since you have a different phono stage sitting right there, why not hook it up and listen to what differences you hear? The best budget is "free", lol.

Identifying what you like (or dislike) about one phono stage vs. the other will help you decide what direction you want to go (sonically). That would give people a basis on which to offer advice. At the moment, everybody's shooting in the dark... including you.
mortificatio OP
2 posts
 
Per Dougdeacons suggestion I tried the parasound phono stage and absolutely noticed a difference but not for the better. The bass was smeared and diffuse and their was a not so pleasant high pass effect that seemed to take the sizzle out of the cymbals. I will revert back to the internal Marantz pm7200 phono stage for now. However, my next question is to change out the cartridge for something more detailed with a tight bottom end, wide sound stage, and a lot of high hat sizzle and definition. I would like any suggestions in the the not to exceed $100.00 dollar range. This is the only upgrade I am going to be looking at as next end of year 2014 I will upgrade my entire turntable and pre.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Dynavector 17d3 can be found in your price range.Very quick and detailed.
sballs
23 posts
 
Mortificatio,

I think the Dynavector 17d3 is a bit out of the budget of $100 ;). More like $1200... a bit less used. It is however a great cartridge that would satisfy wahat you want in terms of sound.

If you plan on purchasing a new expensive cartridge I would wait until your 2014 upgrades so that you know the cart will mate well with the tonearm and pre-amp you end up using. Take my experience with the 17d3 for example, I didn't realize the carts full potential until I upgraded to a pre-amp that allowed for the proper load settings. I wasted 6 months of the cartridges use getting substantially sub-optimal sound.
manitunc
795 posts
 
the 17d3 is found on ebay for $895 new just about all the time, although not one right now. I dont know where you read a budget of $100, but probably a mistype.
andyprice44
133 posts
 
I would like to suggest the soundsmith boheme for a cartridge within the $1000.00 price range. I owned one for a year or so and it paired with my VPI classic very well. The bass on that cartridge is well defined and tight. Definately worth a look
phduncanson
73 posts
 
If $100 was not a typo, im not sure you will be upgrading your cart - might want to wait. maybe use $100 to tweak it (tt base, feet, mat..). If you meant $1000 - find a goldring Eroica used/new $500 - tight powerful base lots of detail - no harshness. I had one that worked well on a table like yours. i haven't heard the sounsmith carts as price44 suggests but i would bet they do what they say! also for $1000, you may be able to find both a great mc phono pre and mc cart.

don't miss the music,
p
acman3
4,114 posts
 
Hello Mortificatio, I am unfamiliar with that table and arm but can you increase VTA on that arm to get higher frequencies out of the Grado? I did have a Music Hall that is basically a Project table and the Herbie's mat was good on it.

As far as a cartridge, the only one I know to be good at your price range is a NOS Acutex 412 or 312 on Italian Ebay. It takes about 10 days to get here. The seller has been reliable. I don't know how the Acutex would work with your arm.

Good luck!
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