So what would you recommend for my next upgrade?

Well, if you listen to a lot of vinyl, definitely make sure it is always as clean as can be first before judging anything else.

I clean mine manually but I would listen to vinyl more often probably if I had a reliable and low maintenance record cleaning machine of some sort. The ones I would want do not come cheap though.

After that, I suspect you can do better than the Blue Point Special for similar cost even these days, so that might be worth consideration. NEver a bad idea to have a backup cart around, so adding a new one should not be a big decision point for most vinyl lovers I would think. I always keep 3 or 4 around just in case.

Are you using any isolation tweeks in your system? Footers, cones, TT Isolation systems do improve sonics.

phono pre

OK, just got out of the real world and OMG, lots of opportunity here! So to summarize:'

- Czarivey - yeah, I know, digial's the future. I do have plenty of storage (~6 TB), a fast connection and the itch but I'm a little hesitant to jump into another SW medium. Stand by.

- Almarg - got a cleaning machine...my wife surprised me with it one Christmas...isn't that cool? 'course it has to stay in the basement...like me.

- Donno what MAGICO is . . . should I care?

- Mesch - Oh really? OK, I don't recall much about the Zu wires from when I bought them . . . but I take it they are acceptable. Ordered a set of (don't gasp) short Blue Jeans just for fun today. And, yep, the room is going to get trashed over the next 90 days, so I'm bidding (sp?) my time. But plan to do adjustments by ear, not with some sort of room analysis device/software....more fun.

- Minorl - OK, that's really interesting. The MIT's seem really OK but are a major structural pain-in-the-arse. I'd love to pare down the system physically so something without the big "network" boxes would be nice. The Transparent audio cables are something I will look into. Since I have Thiel ("take no prisoners") speakers, it's hard to know what might work with them. On CDs, hard to borrow around here in sophisticated New Hampshire but I'll see. And I'm not keen on buy and return...seems dishonest. Not sure how to explore that...of if I want to chase CDs, yet.

- Mapman - Ah Mapman, great to hear from you again. I do have a record vac but tend to be lazy about using it. Also, the fluid I've bought in the past evaporated. When I Googled (a verb!) DIY stuff...the recommendations read more like some sort of secret chemical weapon.

Now (once again), I never thought of a backup cartridge. What a great excuse. Could use some recommendations! Has the advantage of coming in a small package that my "significant other" would spot as above my pay grade...unlike a set of Thiel 2.3s.

- Lowrider57 - uh, only use isolution stuff on the turntable but it seems so expensive for such little hardware. I just built a custom table for the system - kinda like what the reviewer 6moons has - so isolators would be a logical next step. Any recommendations on what and where to buy?

- Tbromgard - kinda a big field "phono pre"...any more specific...and why?

Thanks everyone, as always.

Dancub, nice to see you are open to new ideas.

I recommend Herbie's Audio Lab.
http://herbiesaudiolab.net/footers.htm

He makes all kinds of isolation devices for everything in the system. Even makes a very nice TT mat; I use one and noticed better dynamics and a more focused sound. (He will also offer advice).

I use Big Tall Tenderfeet under every component. Not expensive for the many benefits they provide. You should defintiely use an isolation footer under the CDP and preamp. Also for an integrated in your case.

And there's nothing wrong with Blue Jeans cable. Sounds better than many expensive ICs. They're cheap so use them until you're ready to upgrade.