Money best spent?

[Josquin des Prez]

I'm still considering a new phonostage for myself this year, especially after my new tonearm and cable took things to a new level. However, I won't be able to get anything until December. I was looking at the Fosgate Signature v2, but that's now out of production with no replacement announced.

I need to start thinking about options in the $2000-2500 range.

[DonBattles]

Originally Posted by Josquin des Prez

I'm still considering a new phonostage for myself this year, especially after my new tonearm and cable took things to a new level. However, I won't be able to get anything until December. I was looking at the Fosgate Signature v2, but that's now out of production with no replacement announced.

I need to start thinking about options in the $2000-2500 range.

Are you looking for new or pre-owned? When I was thinking a new phono pre would be the way I'd go I also was looking in the same price range. Is it tubes your after?

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by DonBattles

Are you looking for new or pre-owned? When I was thinking a new phono pre would be the way I'd go I also was looking in the same price range. Is it tubes your after?

I don't yet know. New, used, tubes, SS...it's all up in the air. Obviously, something that will have synergy with my Talisman v2 and Naim electronics. I do want something that provides flexible loading and gain options.

[cma29]

Originally Posted by AudioNut

Hey Don,

I am so glad that after 100 years, or so, of succumbing to "upgradeitis", and spending tons of money to attain - what usually were - marginal (at best) results, I have finally decided that "enough is enough" and that my music systems are "good enough"

Seriously, you have excellent equipment. My best advice is "Make sure that whatever you purchase will make a "real" difference in the sound of your system", and realize that once you reach the level where you consider your system to be "darn good", most upgrades will usually produce only incremental differences, and will often disappoint, because you have spent - all that money - and your system only sounds a "tiny little bit better"

I've even "upgraded" and made my own system sound "a little bit worse".

I've bought stuff in the past based on what other people and magazine reviews have told me - and finally realized that any major money spent should be the result of my own listening - in my own system if possible -

Heck, for all I know, your Shelter 501 MkII cartridge, and the phone stage in your Luxman integrated, may be extraordinary and it would cost mega bucks to make significant improvement. So, take time evaluating, and don't order stuff based just on what other folks say.

A lot of wisdom in this post, Julian. Thanks for articulating it. I've chased my tail a few times resulting in frustration and wasted money.

At this level improvements are asymptotic, which means spend lots of $$$$ for very small improvement which is ok if you are aware of it, but could lead to major disappointment otherwise.

[cmalak]

Originally Posted by DonBattles

UPDATE: picked up a Bob's Devices SUT today from a local seller. It's the unit that uses the CineMag 1131 transformers. It really put the Shelter 501 on another level. Midrange it a bit sweeter but the lower end is where things really seemed to improve. The unit was is used to I'm not sure how much different it will get. Anyway it's a welcome addition my analog section.

Don...congrat's on the Bob's Devices SUT Sounds like that made an appreciable difference. Glad that upgrade was worthwhile. Keep us posted on how things progress.