Develop a hierarchy for phono playback

@dayglow 

I was referring to XYZ alignment....  X and Y being azimuth and VTA/SRA and Z being Zenith.  These are all parameters where the actual tracing facets can substantially differ from the cantilever / coil orientation.

@lewm 

The viv is an interesting twist to the whole Z alignment since in the underhung topology the Z error seems to have nowhere near the effect that it does in the case of a traditional overhung tonearm.    The key point in the zenith discussion is the diamond set WRT cantilever.  Aligning to a cantilever with a 1° Zenith error to the diamond set is a fools errand.   I have retipped multiple identical brand new  cartridges  only to find they all sound different.  it wasn't until consideration to the actual diamond tracing faces was given that a consistent sound was realized.  JR @wallytools  has many documented cases where the tracing facets are not 90° perpendicular to the cantilever and the 'accepted industry tolerance' is ±5°.  I have the test results that come with the cantilever assemblies and the best number I have seen of the 4 test sheets (3 samples of 50 cantilevers) is 1°40' and the worst was 3°50'.  I have pretty much accepted that getting a diamond set precisely 90° to the cantilever is a rare occurrence. 

dave

@intactaudio agree strongly with set up added to the list, and IMO that requires microscopy analysis to deal with errors such as zenith, which can be as much as +/- 5%.

Wally Tools is the only source that I am aware of that provides and end-to-end solution.

For the list...

1. TT (which for me includes arm because I've only bought ClearAudio combos.
2. Cart
3. Cart set up 
4. Phono stage
5. Wires

Why? 

The TT is the foundation. You can always grow into a commensurate Cart/PS combo.

Cart before PS because the cart influences the what PS you need or want to some extent. 

@whart wrote

So, my response should not be taken as a "rule" to apply to others, but rather, where I got the biggest uptick, once everything else was primed for it.

I think that last clause is important: all other things being equal, the closer to the source, the bigger change can be expected when something is upgraded. Errors there are going to be magnified going down the chain of reproduction; a "perfect" loudspeaker can only reproduce the imperfect signal from a poor cartridge etc. This assumes all components are roughly of the same calibre, and if you do have a "weakest link" it must be addressed first.

And don’t forget the platter mat...if your TT has one. After market mats can make a significant difference.