My system is what i would call my third generation system. I started back in 75 with a good value budget SS system.
Over the following 20 years I gradually upgraded to a reasonably good solid state system.
Over last 5 years my interest in analogue increased, and i am now at the reasonably satisfied stage - where i have upgraded front end to Gyro, and I have moved into tube amplification, which for me was a major improvement in quality to my ears anyway.
I intend my next upgrade to be that "final" purchase analogue front end - in region of $15-18k (i am thinking of Avid Acutus, SME V, Transfiguration Temper - and various alternatives of that nature).
After that I will look at a SET amp with Horn speakers- and that will probably be it then.
My first upgrade into what i would call true analogue hi-fi
Rega RB-300
mine includes the incognito rewire - which makes a hell of a difference
Ortofon MC-25 fl
standard UK cartridge with the RB300
Bent audio TX-103
Moving coil step up transformers - these have finally been installed and the sound is amazing - the sound of piano (Midnight Sugar) is the best i've heard. It also has the ability to amplify low level detail that was previously missing. An outright bargain.
Rotel RCD-965bx
cheap old player for the nights when i cannot be bothered to spin the vinyl, and for background music
Convergent Audio SL-1
the most natural sounding phono stage i have heard
Lumley Reference M120
Monoblocks, 120W tetrode, 70w triode. Beats former SS amps (TAG Mclaren) by a mile.
Proac Studio-150
Neat looking, great sounding
nordost blue heaven
clean
nordost blue heaven
clean
Dezorel Powerstation 3
Newly arrived, line filter (not a power conditioner, just a filter). Still evaluating this, but initial thoughts very positive
I heard the Avid Acutus with SME arm and Denon cart through top-of-the-line Rogue Audio amplification/preamplification (Zeus and 99 magnum) along with Vandersteen 5's and was incredibly impressed. I never heard vinyl SO SO good! It haunts me to this day! My Rega P3/Dynavector 10x5 is nice, but no where near the body, impact, weight, quality and gravity (as in: pulls you in) of the Acutus. It's an incredibly impressive TT.
Listener57 thanks very much. I know of others who have followed a similar upgrade path.
On the subject of Rega mods - yes I have a quandry here. Whilst I have a clear picture of my eventual front end, i do not have a clear picture of how to get there.
For example - do I just save up and replace my whole front end all at one go. Or, do I go for some interim "low cost" mods in the mean-time - such as the Rega counterweight, or the power supply upgrade to the Gyro, and then there is the Orbe platter upgrade as-well.
Given that I am almost certain that there is nothing of my current front end that will stay, I am leaning towards the "all in one go" approach.
I am committed to the Avid Acutus/SME combination - as I heard this in a dealers with the Transfiguration spirit - and it was way, way better than the Orbe/SME or the Avid Volvere/Act2 with which the comparisons were made - mind you its twice the price !
I would be interested in US opinions on Avid Acutus vs other high-end turntables.
Your system looks to be wonderfully evolved with an emphasis on tubes and vinyl paralleling the direction of many of us on Audiogon. One modest cost upgrade to consider for your Rega RB-300 tonearm: F-2 Titanium Heavyweight Counterweight sold by Audiogon member/dealer Gregory Kerry of Kerry Audio Design Inc. The improvement in bass and overall clarity, weight, and tonal richness is just as his advertisement claims. I could not believe how much difference a counterweight could make. There is an entire cottage industry working to optimize your tonearm, and this upgrade is so reasonable in cost for such surprising results. There is also a titanium equipment stand to hold your system when you hit the lottery; haven't tried this as no one has slipped me the winning number yet.
