Best investment; cartridge or line stage?
Alrighty fellow hifi aficionados, I tried to find a sub on this topic but failed. Here is my bang for the buck question: assuming money spent on either option will be within spitting distance of each other, where am I likely to get more bang for my buck? By investing in a new line stage or investing in a new cartridge. I am currently running a Sutherland TX vibe line stage with a rega aria cartridge on a rega p6 turntable. Appreciate your input! Current system is McIntosh MA252 integrated, rega p6 tt and Martin Logan Vantages.
@elliottbnewcombjr "don’t even listen to inefficient speakers if you know what’s good for you" I suspect that what you mean is, "Some are so good that you will fall in love," like ESL's or Magnepans. But some could take your words as dismissive. Perhaps you could clarify? @pindac That’s going on the back burner for now, because I’m building an active crossover for some Magnepan DWM woofers and my isobaric sub. |
This is an intriguing question, but I suspect that upgrading just the phono stage or just the cartridge will leave you wondering about how much improvement you will hear from upgrading both. It is also worth noting that the interconnects from your phono stage will also play a part. Based on my own journey, I suspect that the cartridge upgrade will produce an immediate benefit, but that a new phono stage should be the next move. Another idea is to try and demo a new phono stage in your system, as this will give you a sense of the change (and is obviously more practical than trying to "demo" a cartridge!) If you like the improvement, buy it, knowing that a new cartridge at a later date will only create further gains. |
@elliottbnewcombjr Elliot, buy the time he can afford the phono stage the cartridge will have worn out. Phono stages last a long time and the great ones are not cheap. The cartridge is usually less expensive than a great phono stage so it is quicker to save up for. Many of us have to push it financially to get into the better equipment. If money was not an issue he'd buy both now. |
@terry9 The Projects are still rolling out, your a real learner and doer👨🎓. When wiring the Sub have a look at terminating directly onto the Voice Coil, this is the next method to become better known about and adopted for use with PC Triple C Wire on a Cabinet Speaker I have in use, I am informed it comes with little risk and am soon to be given advisories on the method. |
terry9@elliottbnewcombjr "don’t even listen to inefficient speakers if you know what’s good for you" I advise working very hard to find efficient speakers you love, they are out there. Don't even listen to inefficient ones. That will keep the needed power down: less: cost/size/weight/heat and it will increase placement options of amps, especially integrated with a need to receive signal from a remote. Importantly, low power needs allows a much easier way to try tubes. More competition exists at lower power needs, thus more competitive prices, and more used choices.
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