I've had my system for over 7 years and have learned a lot along the way - but I still feel like a noob compared to those here that are deep into the details.
I am looking to make some upgrades to my current system - any advice is appreciated.
Current System:
Cayin A-50T with KT77 output tubes
Cayin CD-50T cd player
Sonos ZP90 for streaming (non-amplified)
Dali Ikon 6 loudspeakers
Music Hall mmf-2.1 with upgraded Grado Prestige Red cartridge
Cambridge Audio 640p pre amp for the turntable
Quality speaker cables
Interconnects are a bit all over the place. Various cables of $50-$80-ish range. Nothing above that.
Likes: When the LP is good I love it. Original Pink Floyd LP's sound great. New jazz/ vocals sound great. Sonos streaming (lossless rips) sounds surprisingly good - CD quality is good for good CD's. I really like the paring of my amp / speakers - my audiophile store guy had this setup in his store and I loved it from the start.
Dislikes: When the LP is bad - it's bad. Thin and weak. Older CD's where the compression is high don't sound great either. Not a great system for harder rock, but REALLY good for instruments and human voice. As I said, Pink Floyd sounds amazing on it.
Quick thoughts on my personal taste:
I like form and function working together, and have a preference for a vintage vibe. Thus the tube amp. My guitar amp it tube as well, and my acoustic guitar is a vintage model.
My current thinking is to upgrade the turntable and preamp - maybe the interconnects as well. I'm thinking of the Clearaudio Concept (MM) or Pro-Ject 9.2. They are both in my price range but I don't want more table than my system can benefit from. Also, I have no idea how to pair a preamp with it - I'm thinking another tube in the pre-amp my be adding too much warmth since I already have a tube amp. My audiophile store has closed down and I have limited options to demo (probably an unfortunate trend). I do travel a bit and have some options available there.
Thoughts on the table / pre-amp? Am I over buying? MM or MC? Would a sub do more to add to weaker LP's than a new table / preamp / cartridge? I've read some QC issue re: the Concept but they are a few years old - have they improved?
Many thanks!
I've had my system for over 7 years and have learned a lot along the way - but I still feel like a noob compared to those here that are deep into the details.
I am looking to make some upgrades to my current system - any advice is appreciated.
Current System:
Cayin A-50T with KT77 output tubes
Cayin CD-50T cd player
Sonos ZP90 for streaming (non-amplified)
Dali Ikon 6 loudspeakers
Music Hall mmf-2.1 with upgraded Grado Prestige Red cartridge
Cambridge Audio 640p pre amp for the turntable
Quality speaker cables
Interconnects are a bit all over the place. Various cables of $50-$80-ish range. Nothing above that.
Likes: When the LP is good I love it. Original Pink Floyd LP's sound great. New jazz/ vocals sound great. Sonos streaming (lossless rips) sounds surprisingly good - CD quality is good for good CD's. I really like the paring of my amp / speakers - my audiophile store guy had this setup in his store and I loved it from the start.
Dislikes: When the LP is bad - it's bad. Thin and weak. Older CD's where the compression is high don't sound great either. Not a great system for harder rock, but REALLY good for instruments and human voice. As I said, Pink Floyd sounds amazing on it.
Quick thoughts on my personal taste:
I like form and function working together, and have a preference for a vintage vibe. Thus the tube amp. My guitar amp it tube as well, and my acoustic guitar is a vintage model.
My current thinking is to upgrade the turntable and preamp - maybe the interconnects as well. I'm thinking of the Clearaudio Concept (MM) or Pro-Ject 9.2. They are both in my price range but I don't want more table than my system can benefit from. Also, I have no idea how to pair a preamp with it - I'm thinking another tube in the pre-amp my be adding too much warmth since I already have a tube amp. My audiophile store has closed down and I have limited options to demo (probably an unfortunate trend). I do travel a bit and have some options available there.
Thoughts on the table / pre-amp? Am I over buying? MM or MC? Would a sub do more to add to weaker LP's than a new table / preamp / cartridge? I've read some QC issue re: the Concept but they are a few years old - have they improved?
Many thanks!