I keed your help??, re my whole system


Hello friends
My system is bellow!!, I live in Australia, the nearest hi fi shop, is three hours away!!
1. "once analog" tt, with a Zu denon 103 cartridge
2. JLTI, solid state phono stage, with RCA loading, I normally run from 100ohms, and 150 ohms
3. Proceed pre amp "solid state", feeding fully balance XLR, cables to my mono tube mono blocks, that run KT88, out put tubes!!
4. Pair of YSA, mono blocks, that are fully balanced, the cables are no name!!, going to:
5. Pair of Zu Audio Souls MK !!
Friends, Audio where I live is non existent,I was hoping some one in the know, can give me a guide!!
The problem, is the bass is fine, to make it even better, I will swap to KT150 tubes!!, but the main problem, is that maybe 40% of my LP's, new  and old, are perfect, condition!!, but I don't want to keep playing, my LP's, that sounds the best!!
I just want to ask, I will keep the mono blocks, but am i'm, best to replace the proeed solid state pre amp, with a tube unit, and still run, the solid stage??, I feel, if I rplace, both with tube's it might be to light,as I like kick arse bass, with nice Cynbels, but not harsh!!, or would I be better with a tube phono stage, with volume stage, to run the YSA, mono blocks, ratered at 85PW
Friends
Hoping some one can help!!
Many Thanks
David
128x128daveyonthecoast
I found that the 103 works better with less loading, around 200 to 400 ohms. It really opens up and turns the cartridge into a very, very good performer.
Upgrade phono to a tube unit. You can then tailor sound rolling tubes. However if you are not satisfied with your other LPs, your turntable may be a weak link.

@Daveyonthecost - have you considered upgrading your cables?

A company called KLE Innovations is in your neck of the woods (i.e. Brisbane, Australia)

Their products will provide excellent control, deep, well controlled bass, exceptional clarity and image. The should work well with your setup.

I have had the pleasure of auditioning most of their lineup and these two products I feel provide the best bang for the buck in their lineup are
- gZero20 Interconnects
- gZero6 Speaker cables

Do not be put off by the slimline look of their speaker cables - they provide an exceptionally deep and well controlled bass performance

I have not tried their power products but think they too should provide significant improvements, based on the improvements their other products provide

I see you are using XLR. I have compared the gZero3 IC’s to a Kimber Kable silver XLR interconnect and the gZero3 outperformed the XLR, so don’t be afraid to try them.

If you are into DIY solutions you could try the cables in this link
http://image99.net/blog/index.html

I have developed these cables over the last four years and believe the materials identified in the link provides the best bang for the buck.

Another Audiogon member @toddverrone has built all of these cables and seems extremely happy with them

They provide excellent sound quality with superb imaging, dynamics, clarity and control.

You will also find my reviews of the KLEI products there.

I have compared some of the KLEI products from some well known companies such as Kimber Kable, Cardas, Van den Hul, Chord, crystal cables, DH labs, Purist Audio, Tara Labs and Signal Cable and the KLEI products outperformed all of them.

Unfortunately - all of these cables identified above take around 400 hours to sound their very best, and at about 25 hours some cables start to sound a little odd until the 60 hour mark is reached. Then they start to perform extremely well at around 150 hours and continue to improve - so burn in can take some time

Regarding the effectiveness of cables I know there are two camps - personally I value my cables as much  as my components (if not more) . I have found they make a huge difference in the performance of each connected component. Some components actually run cooler by around 6 degrees Celsius, all due to the cables

My system is towards the budget end of this hobby, but it performs to a much higher level thanks to the cables

Hope that helps

Regards, Steve

I have the JLTI phono stage and it is excellent if a bit laid back.  It certainly does not sound solid state in the least.  I swap between the JLTI and the built in tube stage in my VAC Renaissance preamp.  Both have their own personalities and attributes.  The JLTI has the deeper bass.

I have heard the Proceed electronics many years ago and my memory is of a distinct dry solid state sound.  I think your best bet is a good tube preamp.  VAC is highly recommended but may not be available in your part of the world.