Helps me with long term system development.


Current setup:
Sources:vinyl,Deezer(16/24 Flac via Sonos), 24/96 Flac Files.
Wadia 321 DAC
Rogue RP-1 Pre
Rotel 1072 (class D)
Pro-Ject RPM1 (Sumiko Pearl)
B&W 684

Music (rock, some classic and Jazz, prog)


The recently added bits are the Wadia and the Rogue. The other components are in the cross hairs of a peasant’ish budget, over a period of time. This system was hodge podged together so going forward I would like a match things up a little better based on more technical info (amp and speakers). The Rogue is supposed to have a respectable phono stage so I thought about first jumping to a Pearl Blue Point cartridge or other high output product. Then the amp and speakers are next. I plan on staying with a class D amp as the hybrid approach (tube pre/Class D amp) fits my goals now. Proly stay with some type of tower speaker in the $2k range. Shooting for $1500 range on the amp. The PS Audio Class D offering is intriguing. Has anyone experienced the new PS Audio class D offering? I figure if I slid that in I would still have a wide range of speakers to choose from. One of the questions is if I went for the PS Audion amp what are good speakers to consider based on that amps specs?

So $500 and $,1500 amp gets me a upgrade and then replenish the funds for a set of speakers.

Should I start with the cartridge first or.....?

Just kinda looking for general soundboard type suggestions and thoughts.


128x128jbuhl
Thanks Greg,

I did originally mean the Sumiko MC series of cartridges.

Looks like the Ortofon blue is still a MM cartridge but I did look at the Turbo MC-3  and my dealer can get those. 

I am confident in the preamp's phono stage but worry about the RPM 1 being a bottle neck.  Any worries there you think?


The RPM is a good place to start - lots of bang for the buck I suppose.  

I had one when they first came out (RPM 9 actually but similar)- stylish, easy to set up and sounds good.  

As far as high output MC or MM cartridges, you'll find that they can be pretty comparable to one another in many ways- I would suggest that getting into a "real" low output MC is a different animal altogether, but as we all know requires so much more gain that any noise, hum, cables, preamp, etc. become a real consideration and next thing you know you're down that rabbit hole looking for a good pairing of MC Preamp and cartridge and (no offense honestly) the RPM1 simply doesn't warrant a high end MC cartridge or MC preamp.  

In other words, by the time you get a nice MC cartridge and preamp to suit it, it would be hundreds more than what you probably have invested in the turntable.  The step up from a Sumiko Pearl or a BP#2 HOMC on that table probably isn't really justified.

Looking at your system and mix of musical tastes and a combination of analog and digital sources I would focus my budget on speakers first, then move upstream with the amp/ preamp next (if even necessary) and then think about your analog setup.

Make sense?

Hope so

Greg

Yes. I thought a nice cartridge on this TT had the potential of Lip Stick on Bulldog.
Well- Not exactly but I think it would be odd.  No reason not to invest in a great cartridge that you like, but to unlock its full potential, well...  It's a bit like lenses and camera bodies.  You probably wouldn't put a 400mm/ f/2.8 on a $400 consumer camera.

Again - Speakers should always be the first upgrade and once you find a pair that "sing" to you, then pursue other upgrades if warranted.  You're off to a good start already so I'm sure you'll do well.

Greg

I am a bit afraid of used speakers.  I also feel compelled to try something differenct than B&W.

My local dealer has:

Focal
Sonus Faber
Revel
Dynaudio

And are generous with their demo fleet so I think I will try some of these products.

Should be able to hit on something delicious with this?