Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

Upgrades incoming!!! I was recently in the Raleigh Durham area for a few days (wife had surgery at Duke. All is good) and I spent some time at Audio Advice listening to speakers. I absolutely fell in love with the Sonus Faber Lumina IIIs they had there. Only thing I wished they had was a bit more on the lower end, but I have subs, so it wasn't a big deal.
Since I got home, I haven't stopped thinking about those speakers. Fast forward to a couple days ago, and what should pop up on TMR?! A pair of Lumina Vs! For under 2k!
They arrive on Tuesday 😎

I've been wanting to get a second turntable so that we could have one in our bedroom, and my wife is all on board with this plan. So I'm moving the old B&W Mattix 804s, Darlington Labs MM6 and Fluance rt85 there. That room doesn't really need a powerful amp, so I will keep the Marantz PM8006 with the Luminas.

For the turntable, I'm looking for open box or used, in the $1-2k range. There is currently a Clearaudio Concept Air with a Satisfy Black tone arm on TMR for $2k that I'm lusting over, but I would also need a cart going that route and I don't think I want to increase my budget that high.
I will also need a new phono stage. Leaning toward the project s3b, as I am also considering their X2B turntable.

What else should I be looking at?
 
Upgrades incoming!!! I was recently in the Raleigh Durham area for a few days (wife had surgery at Duke. All is good) and I spent some time at Audio Advice listening to speakers. I absolutely fell in love with the Sonus Faber Lumina IIIs they had there. Only thing I wished they had was a bit more on the lower end, but I have subs, so it wasn't a big deal.
Since I got home, I haven't stopped thinking about those speakers. Fast forward to a couple days ago, and what should pop up on TMR?! A pair of Lumina Vs! For under 2k!
They arrive on Tuesday 😎

I've been wanting to get a second turntable so that we could have one in our bedroom, and my wife is all on board with this plan. So I'm moving the old B&W Mattix 804s, Darlington Labs MM6 and Fluance rt85 there. That room doesn't really need a powerful amp, so I will keep the Marantz PM8006 with the Luminas.

For the turntable, I'm looking for open box or used, in the $1-2k range. There is currently a Clearaudio Concept Air with a Satisfy Black tone arm on TMR for $2k that I'm lusting over, but I would also need a cart going that route and I don't think I want to increase my budget that high.
I will also need a new phono stage. Leaning toward the project s3b, as I am also considering their X2B turntable.

What else should I be looking at?

I've heard mixed things about the project phono stages and I'm not sure if that's where I'd be going. The S also feels a little lightweight when compared with the rest of the gear you are looking at, honestly I'd take the Darlington Labs one that you are currently running over it if the choice was mine.
 
I've heard mixed things about the project phono stages and I'm not sure if that's where I'd be going. The S also feels a little lightweight when compared with the rest of the gear you are looking at, honestly I'd take the Darlington Labs one that you are currently running over it if the choice was mine.
My issue with the Darlington is that I really want to try out MC carts
 
My issue with the Darlington is that I really want to try out MC carts

Their new M7B and M8B both offer a degree of MC comparability and can be improved on again by adding an SU7 down the line. Maybe even consider their SU6 and adding it to your MM6 for MC?

Are there any other phono stages you’ve looked at beyond the pro-jest one?
 
Their new M7B and M8B both offer a degree of MC comparability and can be improved on again by adding an SU7 down the line. Maybe even consider their SU6 and adding it to your MM6 for MC?

Are there any other phono stages you’ve looked at beyond the pro-jest one?
I'm realizing that I probably have an unfair view of step ups being a less than ideal compromise?
 
Their new M7B and M8B both offer a degree of MC comparability and can be improved on again by adding an SU7 down the line. Maybe even consider their SU6 and adding it to your MM6 for MC?

Are there any other phono stages you’ve looked at beyond the pro-jest one?
I've really not looked at others much. Feel very much out of my element on that front and am very open to suggestions.
 
I'm realizing that I probably have an unfair view of step ups being a less than ideal compromise?

The opposite is generally true in my experience provided its a solid product from a proven manufacturer.

I've really not looked at others much. Feel very much out of my element on that front and am very open to suggestions.

What kinda price range are you looking at. What I'd say from my experience is that a phono stage is a really underrated piece of gear that can make a huge difference to a set up, more than most people imagine. Also if you're looking at that project table have you considered the u-turn orbit theory? it seems to be getting rave reviews.
 
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I'm realizing that I probably have an unfair view of step ups being a less than ideal compromise?
Pretty good experiences from some here giving it a try. There's a phono thread somewhere around here with more posts.

My upgrade to the SUT completely turned strings and vocals into a more natural, organic sound.

But SUTs are like carts. Each seems to have a signature sound.
 
The opposite is generally true in my experience provided its a solid product from a proven manufacturer.



What kinda price range are you looking at. What I'd say from my experience is that a phono stage is a really underrated piece of gear that can make a huge difference to a set up, more than most people imagine. Also if you're looking at that project table have you considered the u-turn orbit theory? it seems to be getting rave reviews.
I really want to keep my budget at a max of $3k for the turntable, phono, and cart. Which is why I'm focused on finding good open box or used options.
 
I really want to keep my budget at a max of $3k for the turntable, phono, and cart. Which is why I'm focused on finding good open box or used options.

That’s definitely doable, it’s a huge budget to be fair but I’d probably be looking to put just over a third in the table, just under a third in the cart and around about a third into the phono stage if it was my system.

If you can get a good deal on a close out of the OG Hana SL, now the mark 2 is out, that could give you more flexibility again. It’s the best cart I’ve had in my system by a distance if you’re planning on experimenting with MC.
 
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I really want to keep my budget at a max of $3k for the turntable, phono, and cart. Which is why I'm focused on finding good open box or used options.

Gold Note USA is having a 20% off sale currently. Puts a Valore 425 Plus at $1759 USD. Could be an option. The gentleman I purchased my Icon Audio PS1 Mk 2 from has this deal going for a Graham Slee Fanfare and Hana SL bundle. He ships to the US, and you’d do well on the currency conversion. Another possibility, maybe.
 
Gold Note USA is having a 20% off sale currently. Puts a Valore 425 Plus at $1759 USD. Could be an option. The gentleman I purchased my Icon Audio PS1 Mk 2 from has this deal going for a Graham Slee Fanfare and Hana SL bundle. He ships to the US, and you’d do well on the currency conversion. Another possibility, maybe.

This would look VERY good next to my Mastersound Dueventi
 
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