Thoughts on upgrading TT signal chain


I have a new to me Technics 1210gr with an ortofon bronze into  phono stage of a Peachtree Nova 300.  I'm not as wow-ed as I'd hoped, having upgraded from an entry level 80'S p-mount technics with ortofon om20.  I got the 1210 gr used and I can't vouch for the condition of the cartridge.  So I began looking for a new cartridge and down the rabbit hole I went.  My research leads me to trying out a denon dl 103r which needs boosted. So I think Rothwell MCL or Headspace 2. Looks like that track is about $1000. 

Question here is what are your thoughts on that route vs  similarly priced stand alone phono stage and a cheaper cartridge, like $80 super OM body I can put my OM20 stylus on.
Currently my set up is dead silent and introducing much noise would be troublesome.  I had a project tubebox ds that was quite noisy and I can't do that again.
truex14

Showing 2 responses by truex14

Any suggestions on particularly quiet pre amps?  I've looked at the stylus and don't see wear on the diamond.  However, where the cantilever comes through the o-ring surround doesn't seem perfectly seated.  I haven't been able to source any photos to compare to though. Thanks for the input.
Very reasonable advice, thank you very much. I like the idea of a clean slate cartridge but it is complicated by the fact that a replacement stylus for the bronze is nearly the same price.  I imagine a cartridge body is less likely to be damaged than a stylus, but what exactly can go wrong with them?  I guess it's like you're saying...a known value is the starting point. The stats on the AT VM540 seem similar to the bronze.

Also, can you recommend low noise phono pre's and retailers that have a try it out policy?