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Mjwilliams73
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Vinyl system upgrade

Hi
Newbie here.

Background: Audiolab 6000A Play streaming amp, NAD C588 turntable with standard Ortofon red cartridge, and Ophidian Mambo MK1 speakers.

So, my question to the floor is: If I wanted to up my vinyl playback experience, what would give me the most significant improvement on a budget i.e. most bang for least bucks: upgrade the cartridge, get a separate phono stage, or upgrade the pre/power amp?

A fairly hypothetical question at this time but any realistic suggestions will be strongly considered.

manunkind
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I'd like to say that I'm by

I'd like to say that I'm by no means an expert- but i believe you would get the most from improving your speakers and maybe either a etyer phono, or an integrated amp with a better phono card. Your record player is very capable, and can handle a better cartridge than the Red Ortofon- even though I had that same cartridge for three years and thought it was decent. Honestly, I cannot see a "weak link" in your system- but the speakers can always be upgraded and will most definitely visibly improve the sound. I fond that, to my ears, Harbeth and Tannoy soud very good with vinyl. They require little power and (at least in my caee) produce enough bass without having to integrate a subwoofer.

Good luck!

hoytis
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Your amp and speakers are

Your amp and speakers are solid. The cart is the weak link, IMHO. I would upgrade...make sure it's high compliance as your tonearm is low mass. Not sure what your budget is, but you might want to try a moving coil cart and a new external phono stage. That combo would bring about a big change in your playback experience..

Dorsia777
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Gonna agree w Hoytis

The cart and preamp would be the next steps.

Even swapping the red ortofon out for a Blue will dive deeper into the grooves and reveal more details. Over time I’d shoot for an external phono preamp.

Mjwilliams73
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Thank you all for your

Thank you all for your comments. My opinion is that my speakers are by far the highest value, best quality and most capable link in my system. The general consensus seems to be start with the cartridge then the preamp.

Old Audiophile
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YUP!

The hinge pin to this question is "most bang for the bucks". With that stipulation, I agree with the general consensus (i.e. upgrade the MM cart, first, and contemplate upgrading the phono section later. The Ortofon Blue would be a logical step up or the Bronze or Black, depending upon how much money you'd like to spend. There are other good choices, of course (e.g.
Goldring; MoFi). If you aren't accustomed to setting up a cartridge, have it done by a professional.

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