bjorn

Agreed. The phono stage in an integrated amp at that price point will probably sound 99% as good as running an external phono preamp into an integrated amp. Differences/improvements in sound quality between phono stages certainly exist, but they are not anywhere as dramatic as they are hyped up to be. That has been my experience anyway. I was running a Cambridge 640p into a Rotel RA1070 because I had a moving coil cart at the time. When I switched back to moving magnet I compared the Cambridge to the Rotel's built-in phono stage and could not tell any difference.

If you're probably going to get the acrylic at some point anyway why wait? It actually has a measurable impact on the sound quality, plus it will make it easier to sell down the road if you end up wanting to upgrade.

Nice. I like the rug and artwork too.

I've been lurking so long on this forum might as well throw my system up here...
 
Music Hall mmf 7.1 w/ Ortofon Mojo cart
Rotel RA-1070 integrated
Denon DVD1940 CL
GR Research A/V-3 DIY tower speakers
2x Pinnacle SubCompact 8 subs
 
DIY vacuum RCM.
 
No immediate plans for upgrades since I'm really happy with the sound I'm getting from this setup. I'm using the Rotel's phono stage which is just as good as the Cambridge 640p I used to have; but I'm considering maybe getting a Parks Audio Budgie phono preamp just to see what adding tubes would do. I'm also dreaming of building one of GR Research's subs but they're pretty expensive, and the little 8" subs I have now are kind of amazing so it's not much of a priority.
 

 

I've been lurking so long on this forum might as well throw my system up here...
 
Music Hall mmf 7.1 w/ Ortofon Mojo cart
Rotel RA-1070 integrated
Denon DVD1940 CL
GR Research A/V-3 DIY tower speakers
2x Pinnacle SubCompact 8 subs
 
DIY vacuum RCM.
 
No immediate plans for upgrades since I'm really happy with the sound I'm getting from this setup. I'm using the Rotel's phono stage which is just as good as the Cambridge 640p I used to have; but I'm considering maybe getting a Parks Audio Budgie phono preamp just to see what adding tubes would do. I'm also dreaming of building one of GR Research's subs but they're pretty expensive, and the little 8" subs I have now are kind of amazing so it's not much of a priority.
 

 

I've been lurking so long on this forum might as well throw my system up here...
 
Music Hall mmf 7.1 w/ Ortofon Mojo cart
Rotel RA-1070 integrated
Denon DVD1940 CL
GR Research A/V-3 DIY tower speakers
2x Pinnacle SubCompact 8 subs
 
DIY vacuum RCM.
 
No immediate plans for upgrades since I'm really happy with the sound I'm getting from this setup. I'm using the Rotel's phono stage which is just as good as the Cambridge 640p I used to have; but I'm considering maybe getting a Parks Audio Budgie phono preamp just to see what adding tubes would do. I'm also dreaming of building one of GR Research's subs but they're pretty expensive, and the little 8" subs I have now are kind of amazing so it's not much of a priority.
 

 

I've been lurking so long on this forum might as well throw my system up here...
 
Music Hall mmf 7.1 w/ Ortofon Mojo cart
Rotel RA-1070 integrated
Denon DVD1940 CL
GR Research A/V-3 DIY tower speakers
2x Pinnacle SubCompact 8 subs
 
DIY vacuum RCM.
 
No immediate plans for upgrades since I'm really happy with the sound I'm getting from this setup. I'm using the Rotel's phono stage which is just as good as the Cambridge 640p I used to have; but I'm considering maybe getting a Parks Audio Budgie phono preamp just to see what adding tubes would do. I'm also dreaming of building one of GR Research's subs but they're pretty expensive, and the little 8" subs I have now are kind of amazing so it's not much of a priority.
 

 

For anyone interested in KWC related stuff, the band commissioned me to illustrate and screen print a poster for the Grievances release show last weekend in Oakland. I also made one for the Container Ships show a couple years ago which sold out quickly. I have a limited set of artist edition prints in a unique blue colorway. These are limited to 20 and are available here. Thanks!