njpunkmusic Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 Over the last month I've really caught the upgrade bug and my wallet is paying for it. I just recently purchased a Cambridge CXA80 amp and CXN (V2) streamer (connected with AudioQuest McKenzie XLR cables. )They power my Monitor Audio RX8s. Sounds amazing. Now I'm thinking about making a change to my turntable, phono preamp, or stylus. Currently I have the Project Debut Carbon 2M red Orphon. The needle has way too many hours on it at this point. Atleast 700 hours. My phono preamp is a cambridge azur 551p. My questions are, with my set up is it worth going to 2M bronze? I've read the project debut carbon doesnt really benefit past the 2M blue. Also, would consider upgrading my phono stage to something better. Just cant afford to spend more than $500. Am I better of going bronze and keeping my phono, or going 2M blue and using rest for a better phono? Last question, what exactly is the point of the acrylic plaster benefits and is it worth the $100? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smellman Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 I was in the same situation with a similar setup. I had the Cambridge CXA60, ProJect DC Esprit, 2M Red, and Cambridge CP1 preamp. I swapped out the preamp with a Lounge MKIII($300) and the 2M Red with a Nagaoka MP110($120). The cartridge swap was more of a parallel move but I like the Nagaoka's qualities more than the Ortofon. You may want to upgrade to the Blue. Pretty sure you can just swap out the stylus on the Red and Blue. The preamp was a definite step up. The Esprit came with an acrylic platter and Im not convinced it's any better. Still really liking my CXA60. njpunkmusic 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 2 hours ago, Smellman said: I was in the same situation with a similar setup. I had the Cambridge CXA60, ProJect DC Esprit, 2M Red, and Cambridge CP1 preamp. I swapped out the preamp with a Lounge MKIII($300) and the 2M Red with a Nagaoka MP110($120). The cartridge swap was more of a parallel move but I like the Nagaoka's qualities more than the Ortofon. You may want to upgrade to the Blue. Pretty sure you can just swap out the stylus on the Red and Blue. The preamp was a definite step up. The Esprit came with an acrylic platter and Im not convinced it's any better. Still really liking my CXA60. Yea I know if you just go to the 2M blue from red, you can swap out just the stylus. Once you go Bronze or Black you need to swap the entire cartridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 guy at my local shop is trying to sway me to a grado silver 2 cartridge instead of a 2M Blue. thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smellman Posted November 1, 2018 Share Posted November 1, 2018 I don't have personal experience with Grado cartridges but I have read about humming issues possibly due to lack of shielding. Try this thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thomas³ Posted November 2, 2018 Share Posted November 2, 2018 (edited) Grados > Ortofons. I love me some Grados. Not sure if it'd hum on your table though. Get a cheap Grado body and toss an 8MZ stylus in it, amazing combination. Edited November 2, 2018 by Thomas³ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 3, 2018 Author Share Posted November 3, 2018 Now I'm considering a sumiko moonstone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njpunkmusic Posted November 4, 2018 Author Share Posted November 4, 2018 Ended up going Grado Prestige 2. Shop is putting it on today and setting me up. Picking up tomorrow. Excited for the jump from Ortofon 2M red, but nervous. Thinking I should have went 2M blue. Oh well, we shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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