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help with advise on TT upgrade !!!

Fattner

Fattner

Super Member
hi my AK brothers and sisters , im thinking bout a TT upgrade ( which i have for my TT now is a marantz TT 15 with a clear audio wood erteoso mm cart ) i have all mac stuff and my preamp is c2300 tube w/phono sec./mm/mc im looking to spend around 2,000 w/cart !! thx to all ,,love fattner
 
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For 2K I would not be replacing the table. I would be looking to put a good quality low output moving coil on it. Something along the lines of an Ortofon Cadenza Blue or Bronze, a Transfiguration Audio Axia, Dynavector XX2 MK II, or Audio Technica ANV 50 or the ART 7. Couple that with a quality isolation platform if the budget allows it. But I don't think a $2K table package with cartridge is going to get you significantly better than what you have.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
I love love SOTA decks Star Sapphires to be specific.

On the used market they are about $3,500 with a SME Series V arm. The deck alone new from SOTA is around $7500, arm new is around $5000.

Hey I forgot your almost local to me, maybe someday when you can get to the bay area I have extra decks. But keep a look out for SOTA Star Decks and SME Series V, SME 309 arms. I have no need to ever think of any up grades again with tables and arms...I think:D

A lot of people love the Lyra Phono Cartridges but you might start having way more cart than arm.
 
I agree 100% with Mister Pig. The Marantz table is a tremendous value and performs well above it's price range. I dont think you will find a table/cart combo for $2000 that will be a significant upgrade. Investing your budget in in a cartridge upgrade for your current table would be the way I would go.
 
OkkiNokkiUSA said:
I agree 100% with Mister Pig. The Marantz table is a tremendous value and performs well above it's price range. I dont think you will find a table/cart combo for $2000 that will be a significant upgrade. Investing your budget in in a cartridge upgrade for your current table would be the way I would go.
Click to expand...

I have a Okki Nokki...:thmbsp:
 
4-2-7 said:
I have a Okki Nokki...:thmbsp:
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Thats great!! I hope it is treating you well :)

Fattner, FYI..I use the same table and love it! My Virtuoso is barely broken in, so it will be little while before I upgrade. The cartridge I have my eye on for the future is a Kiseki Blue.
 
What aspect of record playback are you seeking to improve? There are may ways to go here. IT might be as simple as an external phono preamp or perhaps better isolation of the turntable from vibrations. There are a host of things that could benefit even a fine turntable like yours. Tell us where your current system is lacking or needs improving.

Shelly_D
 
shelly_d said:
What aspect of record playback are you seeking to improve? There are may ways to go here. IT might be as simple as an external phono preamp or perhaps better isolation of the turntable from vibrations. There are a host of things that could benefit even a fine turntable like yours. Tell us where your current system is lacking or needs improving.

Shelly_D
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I would suggest better cartridge (some low output MC in $1000 range), and spend another $1000 on isolation platform to TT.
 
for_p1 said:
I would suggest better cartridge (some low output MC in $1000 range), and spend another $1000 on isolation platform to TT.
Click to expand...

I would sugest that any sugestions are actually premature before finding out what the OP is trying to accomplish. If he has a vibration problem that is coloring the playback, a new cartridge might help but it actually doen't address the root of his issue.

Shelly_D
 
Listen to the Pig...you have a decent table. Now get a really nice LOMC and see what you've been missing...


jblnut
 
im looking for more detail , more imaging !! it sounds awesome but i want more wow , my mac stuff is amazing and i was wondering if im selling my mac stuff short w/ the tt i have now !! also i want a better looking table !! thx to all for your imput
 
SOTA Star Sapphire Koa Wood, Cosmos Platter and arm board, SME Series V arm, Sumiko Blackbird cartridge, SOTA Phono Head Amp.

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SOTA Star Sapphire Piano Black, Cosmos Platter and arm board, SME Series V arm, Sumiko Blackbird cartridge, SOTA Phono Head Amp.

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SOTA Star Sapphire Satin Black, Cosmos Platter and arm board, SME 309 arm, Sumiko Blue Point EVO III cartridge, SOTA Phono Head Amp.

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On Top Of Mac Gear

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I'd seriously tell you that if you have the funds (the McCollection kinda gives away that you do) you'd do well to entertain thoughts of keeping your existing table as is, and adding a new one with a very good LOMC. You have inputs for both on the C2300 so that is covered. What you wil find is that there are occasions, records and times when you want all that detail, and times you don't. It's as simple as that. Don't dump a very good setup only to find that it still plays some of your records better than the new table/cart.

I've been on this path for the past few years and still find myself using both tables.

Post some pictures of what you consider good looking tables and I'm sure we can help separate the lookers from the real players....

Jblnut
 
Fattner said:
im looking for more detail , more imaging !! it sounds awesome but i want more wow , my mac stuff is amazing and i was wondering if im selling my mac stuff short w/ the tt i have now !! also i want a better looking table !! thx to all for your imput
Click to expand...

Given your objective and the level of that turntable I would say you have already gotten very good advice and would join with the others to stay with the existing turntable and change out the cartridge for one that will provide what you are looking for.

Shelly_D
 
jblnut said:
I'd seriously tell you that if you have the funds (the McCollection kinda gives away that you do) you'd do well to entertain thoughts of keeping your existing table as is, and adding a new one with a very good LOMC. You have inputs for both on the C2300 so that is covered. What you wil find is that there are occasions, records and times when you want all that detail, and times you don't. It's as simple as that. Don't dump a very good setup only to find that it still plays some of your records better than the new table/cart.

I've been on this path for the past few years and still find myself using both tables.

Post some pictures of what you consider good looking tables and I'm sure we can help separate the lookers from the real players....

Jblnut
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having the funds ,well not exactly ,Im just a dumb fireman and purchased all my stuff used .I might take your advise with the LOMC ,any suggestions on a MC that will go well with my Marantz tt15 (keep in mind that the anti skate on the Marantz is not the best design and I m not that smart ,lol ,take care and thank you for your input,.fattner ca
 
Personal I would sick with HOMC opposed to LOMC.

And yes your table while it may seem to be awesome to some, it's in no way at the level I have seen you bulid your system. A cartridge will help but then what? I would save a bit more and start planning on a component matching table you put together, table arm and cartridge.

Like I said erlyer add another $1500 to the $2000 and you will blow most tables out the water.
 
4-2-7 said:
Personal I would sick with HOMC opposed to LOMC.

And yes your table while it may seem to be awesome to some, it's in no way at the level I have seen you bulid your system. A cartridge will help but then what? I would save a bit more and start planning on a component matching table you put together, table arm and cartridge.

Like I said erlyer add another $1500 to the $2000 and you will blow most tables out the water.
Click to expand...

Then you'll miss most of the advantage of what a better table has to offer. I'm not going to type in 2 pages of why LOMC is better than HOMC. Anyone can search any online cartridge store and see which one scales up into the way high end and which one doesn't. It's not really debatable and he has a really nice LOMC preamp in that C2300. Why would anyone recommend HOMC in this case ?

What is your budget here Fattner for a cartridge? Will you be installing it yourself or do you have a decent hifi shop near you ? Would you buy it from them and if so, what brands do they carry ?


jblnut
 
Ah, the halfway-there analog quandary. What a happy problem to have! :)

I can see agreeing with just about all of the suggestions provided, including holding on to what you have. Any other options include the possibility of a downgrade by mistake or misfortune. I got the combo you have precisely as a temporary solution, and was very content with it while considering my options. One of those was to get a new phono preamp on a closeout sale. Wow! Now I am even more content with my temporary solution! So there's another possibility to consider.

Although turntables and arms and cartridges certainly get better, I think the set we have is so well balanced and fundamentally sufficient that significant improvement in any aspect will involve plenty of cash, work, or luck. So I am watching and waiting for now, with a couple of projects to do, TT-wise. The other thing is that TT attractiveness is so personal, with a contribution to satisfaction visually and aesthetically, that it becomes more than solely a sonic choice.

I've been watching ScaleAudioArt's trial of a budget high-end table with interest. But I'm in no hurry to make a move, frankly.
 
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