I'd say all of them are.
The Grados are my personal favorites.
The Ortofon is my least favorite.
The A/Ts are really great values.
Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice
- Thread starter Joe Mac
- Start date
I'd say all of them are.
The Grados are my personal favorites.
The Ortofon is my least favorite.
The A/Ts are really great values.
MikeyPD
Member
The Schiit Magni 3 is incredible. I’m shocked at how good it sounds.
MikeyPD
Member
I have the blue and I love it. But I am already thinking ahead to the next step. I’m running the blue on my Technics 1200 MK2. Cambridge CP1 photo stage.
I do love the way it sounds but when it’s time to spend money again I am considering upgrading my phono stage when I get a new cart.
I struggle with knowing what kind of difference I would be looking at if I kept the Cambridge but got a higher end cart.
My way of thinking is that most people way underestimate what a good phono stage brings to the table.
I'd probably keep your cartridge and get an 8MZ stylus and make a big phono stage upgrade first. I actually upgraded my cartridge as the last step in my setup.
MikeyPD
Member
I agree with you on the phone stage! That makes sense. So you’d upgrade the phone stage and then the cart later?
Care to recommend a phono stage? I know that’s like the biggest open ended question ever. Haha
apholden
Well-Known Member
Sutherland Argentum. A steal at only fourteen thousand dollars!
Now that I got that bit of snark out of my system, do you have a price range in mind?
MikeyPD
Member
Haha $14k is a bit high
I would think around $300 but can be persuaded to go a little higher if it was worth it. I do enjoy being sold on something fun!
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Haha $14k is a bit high
The Vincent Pho-8 and Mofi StudioPhono were always the two go to options at that level back in the old home.
Melt Face Molly Drop
Well-Known Member
This was originally my price point (3-500), but that slowly inched higher and higher to where I was looking at the Sutherland KC Vibe, which then landed me at an open box Sutherland Insight for 1150. In other words, good luck to you.Haha $14k is a bit high
Basically I didn't want to face a situation where I was continually chasing a better sound, so I skipped a couple entry-level steps. Should keep me satisfied for 6 ye....months
displayname
Well-Known Member
I couldn't agree more!
MikeyPD
Member
I am in total agreement. Phono stage is my next upgrade.
folsom_lives
pretty_lil_dirt_boi
Add my vote for the Vincent. Love it. Snagged mine for $250 at Audio Advisor when they had a sale. Regularly had for $300 though.
MikeyPD
Member
I am currently obsessing trying to figure out if I want the Vincent or the MoFI. Some reviews I am reading suggest the Vincent has a nice low end. I feel like my current Cambridge CP1 lacks a little bit of the low end. My turntable at work is a u-turn with Pluto and I feel like records play with a little more bass than the Cambridge.
I believe I am leaning toward the Vincent. I am getting giddy with excitement!
folsom_lives
pretty_lil_dirt_boi
The Vincent will blow the Pluto out of the water. Much more low end and separation. I could hear things louder and clearer than before. I dont feel a rush to upgrade my phono at this point I'm that happy with it.
Splunders
Well-Known Member
Once you've lived with it for awhile, you can take another leap on quality by getting an improved power cord. I have a Pangea AC14 cord (per many recommendations from this forum) attached to my Vincent PHO-8 (I have a technics sl1200 like you as well) and the bass got way better than it already was. The high end cleared up a bit as well. These cords, depending on length, will cost you between $50-$70 making it one of the better bang for the buck improvements you can make
Which cartridge are you running?
MikeyPD
Member
the 2M Blue.
I am watching some interesting comparisons between the StudioPhono and the Schiit Mani. Fascinating!