Monastic_mike Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 All, I have a Project Debut Carbon with the Speedbox and the 2M Blue. I like the sound I get overall but can't help wondering about upgrading to a nicer table. The 2 tables I've been looking at are the Planar 3 (2016) and the Project Classic. Either table would be running the Blue at least to start so I wonder if there's a distinct advantage to either table against my current table given all would have the same cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxmartinxx Posted March 25, 2017 Share Posted March 25, 2017 I think you're right. Those turntables won't be a huge upgrade from what you currently have. Depending on your system, you're probably better off putting the money into an phono preamp upgrade. Monastic_mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monastic_mike Posted March 25, 2017 Author Share Posted March 25, 2017 Thanks. Sorry for not listing my system: PDC with 2M Blue into onboard preamp -> Sansui 2000a into Focal 807v's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Strictly sound-wise, my first upgrade would be amplification. Vintage receivers are great starting points, but I'd say it's definitely the weak link in there. But in reality, I rarely go with the "smart choice" myself. Aesthetics and passion play way bigger roles for me than they should. If you want a new table because you really want a new table, why not. Monastic_mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monastic_mike Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 That's makes sense and to be honest, if I didn't have a line of credit I'd not be pondering stuff like this. originally I was thinking phono pre, which somehow turned into a new amp (Specifically either a Yamaha 801 or Rega Brio-R). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxmartinxx Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 Any decent separate phono preamp is going to be better than what's built in to any integrated in your price range. Start with getting good phono preamp. The fact you have those Focals, I assume you're not in the US? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monastic_mike Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 (edited) I'm in the US. The Focals were bought from musicdirect.com (hence the line of credit). At one point I was looking at the Project Tube Box which then drifted to the Vincent PH-08 and the Phenomina II. I am way open to suggestions.....probably won't won't go higher than a 2M Bronze or similar. I listen to alternative, punk, reggae and a little jazz. Edited March 26, 2017 by Monastic_mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxmartinxx Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 You can find the non + version of the Phonomena II used for like $400, which is pretty good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monastic_mike Posted March 26, 2017 Author Share Posted March 26, 2017 And you think this preamp would be good given the application? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxmartinxx Posted March 26, 2017 Share Posted March 26, 2017 The Phonomenia II has a lot of loading options, so you should be able to fine tune the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monastic_mike Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share Posted March 27, 2017 Good to know. I think I may go that route then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jlegg Posted March 28, 2017 Share Posted March 28, 2017 Ever thought of building a pre amp? There's an EAR 834 clone on the bay to be had for cheap and it sounds amazing. If you're handy with a soldering iron at all it's not particularly difficult to do. Here's a thread discussing it. Worth at least considering. http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=20984.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monastic_mike Posted March 28, 2017 Author Share Posted March 28, 2017 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Jlegg said: Ever thought of building a pre amp? There's an EAR 834 clone on the bay to be had for cheap and it sounds amazing. If you're handy with a soldering iron at all it's not particularly difficult to do. Here's a thread discussing it. Worth at least considering. http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=20984.0 I've never soldered. Ever. I have seen those build your own jobs and am curious but not a direction I want to go. Me soldering anything would be the proverbial monkey humping a basketball as it were. Edited March 28, 2017 by Monastic_mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 7 hours ago, Jlegg said: Ever thought of building a pre amp? There's an EAR 834 clone on the bay to be had for cheap and it sounds amazing. If you're handy with a soldering iron at all it's not particularly difficult to do. Here's a thread discussing it. Worth at least considering. http://www.lencoheaven.net/forum/index.php?topic=20984.0 I've been looking at those, have you tried one yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jlegg Posted March 29, 2017 Share Posted March 29, 2017 4 hours ago, allenh said: I've been looking at those, have you tried one yourself? I have. I really enjoyed building it and I think it sounds really great. I'm using some NOS Mullards in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSand Posted April 1, 2017 Share Posted April 1, 2017 As others have said it will be a sideways step, so long as they spin at the right speed, you really need to spend a lot for turntable improvements. I have 2, one cost over £5k (Nottingham Analogue Ace Space with heavy kit and ace Annalog arm) and one I picked up used for £100 (Audio Research AB101 with stock arm) and although they sound quite different they both sound great. The differences of one being about mass and the other is on suspension. The things that make the most difference as others have said are the arm, cart and phono stage. Ultimately, MC cartridges pull more from the music. If you get a better phono stage you'll soon be picking up/wanting to try a MC cart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monastic_mike Posted April 1, 2017 Author Share Posted April 1, 2017 Thanks. I've decided to start with a phono stage. Currently pondering the Lounge MK3 and Vincent PHO-8. There's a DS for $225 on demo that I've read good things about. who knows... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinyl addict Posted April 1, 2017 Share Posted April 1, 2017 (edited) A Rega Planar 3 is most certainly an upgrade over a Debut Carbon. As far as a phono preamp goes, I highly recommend the Lounge. It is musical bliss. I've had one for a little over a year and it was $300 well spent. When I was researching before I went with the Lounge, I read the Vincent sounds flat. Also read some other poor reviews. If you are deciding between those 2 preamps, it's a no brainier for me. Edited April 1, 2017 by vinyl addict Monastic_mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monastic_mike Posted April 1, 2017 Author Share Posted April 1, 2017 Seems like EVERYONE loves the Lounge and people are split on the Vincent. More than likely I'll go Lounge. Pretty excited about that. vinyl addict 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinyl addict Posted April 1, 2017 Share Posted April 1, 2017 (edited) Do eeeeeeet The owner of Lounge is a member over on SHtv if you have any questions or whatever too. Edited April 2, 2017 by vinyl addict Monastic_mike 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenh Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 18 hours ago, RSand said: The things that make the most difference as others have said are the arm, cart and phono stage. Ultimately, MC cartridges pull more from the music. If you get a better phono stage you'll soon be picking up/wanting to try a MC cart. 16 hours ago, vinyl addict said: A Rega Planar 3 is most certainly an upgrade over a Debut Carbon. A case in point the Project and the Rega are fundamentally the same design with the Project being a copy of the Rega, the difference though is the Rega arm. Yes @Monastic_mike your Project can be bettered but upgrading the cart and/or phono stage will yield the biggest changes for now and if you move up the turntable tree later you can always hang onto your new cart and phonostage. And @RSand if you like your EB101 sounds like you're someone who should invest in a better 3 point sprung sub chassis table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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