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Upgrade from Technics SP25

I currently have a Technics SP25 with ATP-12T arm and Denon DL-103 and a solid, custom plinth. I think this combination punches above its weight class due to really good synergy between arm and cart. It has big tone and tracks really well. However, I am looking for an upgrade that digs a little deeper and extracts more detail.  I was going to purchase a Hana EL cartridge and give that a try. However, now I have a larger budget ($2500) allocated to this upgrade and am trying to determine best course of action: eg, buy an entirely new turntable, upgrade arm and cartridge, stick with just the cartridge upgrade,etc. Any advice is much appreciated. Also, I am currently using the phono stage in my Crayon integrated amp. After experimenting with different phonostages the one in the Crayon just sounded the best .
gotog
cd318
2,636 posts
 
Might be worth upgrading to one of the new SL1200s or even an SP10.

Here's a link to an interesting review of an SP10 mk2 by none other than British DJ Kenny Everett from Studio Sound dated September 1977!

https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Studio-Sound.htm

(<9mb PDF Studio Sound September 1977)
gotog OP
147 posts
 
Thanks again for the information and suggestions you all provided.
srbedard
21 posts
 
I found a Dynavector 20x2 to be a similar flavour to the DL-103 with better extension and control at the frequency extremes. It is 3x the cost though. There are great accessories for the Denon that bring its performance closer, if you want to open all your money on a new turntable... That would be my approach.
cooperdude6
80 posts
 

Trying to update this thread in August 2025:

I have the opportunity to buy a used Technics SP-25 TT in the SH-15B2 Base, but without arm. I currently own a ca. 2020 Clearaudio Solution TT with Origin Live arm & Hana MC cart. as my primary analog setup. Currently using an Aragon 24K pre-amp with phono for the phono stage. I am considering the second table to use with a dedicated mono cartridge for older Lp's such as Jonah Jones, Erroll Garner, etc. (I cannot find a second armboard for the Clearaudio). I've read that 10" or 10-1/2" tonearms work well with this SH-15B2 base. Any suggestions about what arm (ideally under $1,000)?

 

 

johnss
683 posts
 

If you are going to get into LOMC land, you may want to consider a really good step up trans such as the Technics 305MC, and look into a more resolving phono preamp. 

 

 

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