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Is the upgrade really worth it?

C

Casey737

New Member
Hi folks -
I am having quite the dilemma and I know these types of questions are posed here fairly often but I would welcome some insight before I decide.

I currently have the following table:
- Pro-ject Debut Carbon
- Ortofon 2M Blue cart (upgraded from 2M red)
- Pro-ject Acrylic platter (upgrade)
- -Pro-ject Speedbox II

To me, this setup sounds pretty good and seems dialed in nicely.

However, while I have had this setup for only a year, the upgrade bug has hit me hard.

I have my eye on the VPI Traveler and a local dealer is offering this table plus the Grado Sonota I cart for $1,600. That's basically full price for the TT but half off the cart. I feel that I can get a good price for my current system w/ the upgrades but really wondering if I will notice the difference and see the value for the extra $$'s.

I really have no doubt that the table and cart are an upgrade but wondering if my ears will know the difference.

Your knowledgeable opinions are most welcome.

Thanks,
Keith
 
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Most reputable shops will alow you to audition equipment in your environment.See if this is possible.
 
You will hear a difference, the TT goes for I believe $1295. I do not know which phono stage you have, but an upgrade there will also make a very nice difference.
 
I would be shocked if that were not a huge upgrade, even though what you have sounds pretty nice already.
 
The VIP should be a noticeable upgrade.

Something to consider - What do you have for speakers and will the money be better spent there?
 
Judging only by what I've read so far, it sounds like a significant upgrade. If you can do it, I would go for it. It could happen that interest in turntables falls of, and a year from now when you're ready to switch, you take a hit on the Project. You're not likely to lose on this upgrade, whereas with speakers or a dac it would be a far riskier proposition (point being that those components seem to be more subjective).
 
The Sonata-1 is quite an upgrade alone, but it will like the VPI a lot more than the table you now have.
 
marcmorin said:
The Sonata-1 is quite an upgrade alone, but it will like the VPI a lot more than the table you now have.
Click to expand...

Yes and you may get hum using a Grado on a Pro-ject, but I'm sure if it's a dealer package they've already verified compatibility between the Traveler and the Sonata. Plus I've seen ads for the latter with Grado wood-body cartridges installed on them.
 
Duane said:
Most reputable shops will alow you to audition equipment in your environment.See if this is possible.
Click to expand...

I am going down there with a few of my LPs next weekend to take a listen. I am eager to hear it in person to try and compare.

Thanks.
 
Wasatch said:
You will hear a difference, the TT goes for I believe $1295. I do not know which phono stage you have, but an upgrade there will also make a very nice difference.
Click to expand...

I am using a Cambridge Audio 640P which is nice but not top of the line.

Thanks.
 
bobins08 said:
The VIP should be a noticeable upgrade.

Something to consider - What do you have for speakers and will the money be better spent there?
Click to expand...

From what I have read on AK as well as other places, I do believe it will be a nice boost. As for speakers, well, they are on the list I'm but not quite ready to go there yet. I mainly use this hooked up to my computer for listening (nice headphones and decent desktop speakers) and needledrops but do have it hooked into my Home Theater as well. So, good speakers for movies and TV in the home theater but not necessarily for music. One day, I will move to make this just a listening experience and will invest in the components down the chain.

Thanks.
 
marcmorin said:
The Sonata-1 is quite an upgrade alone, but it will like the VPI a lot more than the table you now have.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I would only use the Sonata I on the Traveler. The pro-ject will be sold to finance the purchase.

It's funny, VPI in my dealings with them have pushed the Grado carts a lot. They even suggested a cart called the Companion but I can't find that anywhere. Sounds like it might be something that Grado and VPI came up w/ together. Anyone know anything about this cart?

Thanks.
 
Casey737 said:
Agreed. I would only use the Sonata I on the Traveler. The pro-ject will be sold to finance the purchase.

It's funny, VPI in my dealings with them have pushed the Grado carts a lot. They even suggested a cart called the Companion but I can't find that anywhere. Sounds like it might be something that Grado and VPI came up w/ together. Anyone know anything about this cart?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Grado has built carts for VPI in different output voltages than in normal configuration. As an example in the wood body carts, the reference series is hi-out bodies of 5mv and the statement series is low out bodies of .5mv. Grado produces a lower output cart in between those numbers for VPI. I don't know if that is the "companion" you mention. I believe the output is 2.5mv from what i've seen.
 
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