adamparin
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Recommendations for new Turntable/ Phono Stage
commsysman
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The Musical Fidelity V90-LPS phono stage is around $200 and is very good; you may want to consider that. It will work with any cartridge.

If you want a major turntable upgrade, I would suggest either the Music Hall MMF-7.1 or the VPI Traveller.

Be aware that Grado cartridges are unshielded and will not be compatible with some turntables due to hum.

DarkStar_64
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I agree with commsysman above, can't go wrong with the Muscial Fidelity V90-LPS.  I recently purchased one to use with my newly acquired NAD S300 Integrated Amp and a Rega RP1 with the Performance Pack.  I like this combination quite a bit, but if I were looking to upgrade the table, I would also look at the VPI Traveller.

bierfeldt
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Clearaudio Concept and the Rega RP6 with an Exact II cartridge would be big upgrades.  The RP3 is a big step forward from the RP1 but the RP6 is a better value as it includes the external power supply which is a $400 upgrade for the RP3.  That being said, in the $1500 price range, the Clearaudio Concept is a great value.  I demo'd it and and the Rega P3-24.  I liked it better than the P3, but I got the Rega on clearance when the RP3 was introduced and just didn't like the Clearaudio $600 more.  

Alternatively, the Marantz Reference TT15S1 is a great value at $1499.  It is made by Clearaudio for Marantz and has a higher end tone arm and cartridge than the concept.  It is available at Crutchfield.  

Bill B
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Nice little speakers but they lack low bass. I'd sneak in a subwoofer for a system upgrade. 

adamparin
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commsysman wrote:

The Musical Fidelity V90-LPS phono stage is around $200 and is very good; you may want to consider that. It will work with any cartridge.

If you want a major turntable upgrade, I would suggest either the Music Hall MMF-7.1 or the VPI Traveller.

Be aware that Grado cartridges are unshielded and will not be compatible with some turntables due to hum.

 

Thanks for the feedback.  Question, and what I always have trouble with, so if i have my B&W CM1, the Peachtree Nova 125, the MF V90-LPS Phono Stage, and a VPI Traveller - what is the weak link in the system?

Thanks for all the feedback.

Bill B
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That would be a very nice high quality system, no real weak link.  Except... I dig bass and I'd go w/ bigger speakers, or a subwoofer.

adamparin
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On the Phono Stage is the Musical Fidelity V90-LPS a major upgrad over the Pro-ject Phono Box S?  Since there is seperate circuitry for the MM and MC, it seems like it should be.  But in actuality, are we talking slightly better sound or significant upgrate?

Bill B
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They are competitive products in their design, technology, sound, and price. So, no, one is not an upgrade over the other. 

commsysman
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I would disagree with that; I think the Musical Fidelity sounds better, as well as having the capability for both types of cartridges.

 

 

Bill B wrote:

They are competitive products in their design, technology, sound, and price. So, no, one is not an upgrade over the other. 

Bill B
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Glad to acknowledge your opinion on sound differences, but fact-wise, note that the Pro-Ject Phono Box S does indeed handle both MM and MC cartridges, and adjusts for a full range of differrent capacitance loadings and gains.  I have used it with both MM and MC cartridges.

adamparin
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I set up the nova last night with the pro-ject phono box S and my rega p1, and B&W CM1 and it sounded a tons better than the old marantz int. amp (with a phono stage).  I was surprised with how much bass the little CM1's actually are making happen.  The kids were sleeping so my test was quick, but I listened to Rickie Lee Jones - "Show Biz Kids", which has a decent bass line.  I thought it sounded really good, especially when you consider these little speakers.  Happy for the time being.  I'll let you guys know how I feel after listening to a few more test albums.  

Bill B
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Excellent!  A good system.  

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