Hi Everyone,
Based on the posts in this forum and the reviews in Stereophile, I put together a system consisting of the Pro-ject Debut III, Onkyo A-9555, and Paradigm Atom Monitors. I am also using a subwoofer from a home theater system. This was designed so I could dip my toe into vinyl playback. I've really enjoyed the experience and I've now amassed quite a few new and used LPs. The question is where to go from here. I want to stick with the basic components I have. Explaining to my wife that I need a new $1,000 turntable when I just bought one for $300 a few months ago is not a conversation I am prepared to have right now. 
However, I think there are some improvements I can make with my basic setup. I have been thinking about upgrading the stock Ortofon OM5 cartridge on the Debut III to something like the Denon DL-110 or the Ortofon 2M Red. My understanding is that with the Denon I would also have to replace the steel platter with an acrylic one because the steel platter causes problems for a MC cartridge. Another thought is adding an external phone stage such as a Cambridge 640P or the Bellari. I think the Onkyo phone stage is decent, but I really have nothing to compare it to. Or I could do the cartridge and the phono stage together if that makes sense.
In total, I'd like to keep my costs around $500-600. Do you think I can improve this system for that amount? What would you do? All thoughts and comments are welcome.
Thanks,
DL
Hi Everyone,
Based on the posts in this forum and the reviews in Stereophile, I put together a system consisting of the Pro-ject Debut III, Onkyo A-9555, and Paradigm Atom Monitors. I am also using a subwoofer from a home theater system. This was designed so I could dip my toe into vinyl playback. I've really enjoyed the experience and I've now amassed quite a few new and used LPs. The question is where to go from here. I want to stick with the basic components I have. Explaining to my wife that I need a new $1,000 turntable when I just bought one for $300 a few months ago is not a conversation I am prepared to have right now.
However, I think there are some improvements I can make with my basic setup. I have been thinking about upgrading the stock Ortofon OM5 cartridge on the Debut III to something like the Denon DL-110 or the Ortofon 2M Red. My understanding is that with the Denon I would also have to replace the steel platter with an acrylic one because the steel platter causes problems for a MC cartridge. Another thought is adding an external phone stage such as a Cambridge 640P or the Bellari. I think the Onkyo phone stage is decent, but I really have nothing to compare it to. Or I could do the cartridge and the phono stage together if that makes sense.
In total, I'd like to keep my costs around $500-600. Do you think I can improve this system for that amount? What would you do? All thoughts and comments are welcome.
Thanks,
DL