Phono Stage Upgrade Help

[richteer]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Although you have one hell of an AVR, moderately priced separates or integrateds (doesn't have to be expensive) will go above and beyond even the best of AVR's. I don't intend this to be an insult against AVR's, it's just that AVR's are really busy, compromises are made, & AVR's end up being a " jack of all trades, master of none" component that can put limitations on analog sources. Even when a great phono-pre is mated with a great AVR, the performance will still fall behind that of even modest 2ch setups. Add to the fact that you are considering a tube stage, those very tube characteristics very well may be void by what goes on in even the best of AVR's.

+1. A dedicated 2-channel integrated amp (or better, preamp and power amp separates, albeit at a bigger cost) will probably trounce an AVR in (or above) the same price bracket.

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by richteer

+1. A dedicated 2-channel integrated amp (or better, preamp and power amp separates, albeit at a bigger cost) will probably trounce an AVR in (or above) the same price bracket.

I agree with everything you are saying, however I don't have the budget. I am really stretching to get to $2,500. Can I get their with a combination of 2 channel integrated amp and possilby the sim audio moon LP5 phono preamp (retails for around $1,400)? I guess the main question is can I buy a decent integrated amp for around $1,000 (I would think the answer is no)?

Plus I want to upgrade the weekest link in my system and I feel that is my phono pre amp.

Joe

[richteer]

Originally Posted by joe1515

I agree with everything you are saying, however I don't have the budget. I am really stretching to get to $2,500. Can I get their with a combination of 2 channel integrated amp and possilby the sim audio moon LP5 phono preamp (retails for around $1,400)? I guess the main question is can I buy a decent integrated amp for around $1,000 (I would think the answer is no)?

Plus I want to upgrade the weekest link in my system and I feel that is my phono pre amp.

Joe

It would be tight squeeze, but yes, I think you could swing a Moon LP5.3 phono stage and a decent integrated amp for your $2500. I've not heard it myself, but Simaudio's Moon i.5 (or better if you can stretch to it, their Moon i-1) is very well received. If you're buying them together, I would expect your dealer would be very accommodating with respect to price.

The great thing with this combo is that it offers plenty of upgrade room should the desire and budget strike you. You can upgrade the LP5.3 with its matching PSX power supply, and even without the PSX it's good enough that you can go much further up the Simaudio amplifier chain, even into the separates eventually.

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by richteer

It would be tight squeeze, but yes, I think you could swing a Moon LP5.3 phono stage and a decent integrated amp for your $2500. I've not heard it myself, but Simaudio's Moon i.5 (or better if you can stretch to it, their Moon i-1) is very well received. If you're buying them together, I would expect your dealer would be very accommodating with respect to price.

The great thing with this combo is that it offers plenty of upgrade room should the desire and budget strike you. You can upgrade the LP5.3 with its matching PSX power supply, and even without the PSX it's good enough that you can go much further up the Simaudio amplifier chain, even into the separates eventually.

I think I would rather upgrade the integrated later on and use my funds to upgrading to a better a phono pre amp and then a better integrated pre amp down the road.

Plus the reason I bought the arcam was for 2 channel music.

Joe

[richteer]

Originally Posted by joe1515

I think I would rather upgrade the integrated later on and use my funds to upgrading to a better a phono pre amp and then a better integrated pre amp down the road.

Plus the reason I bought the arcam was for 2 channel music.

Joe

Fair enough. The Moon LP5.3 would still be a great choice! Unless you can get a great deal on an ARC PH5...

[joe1515]

Originally Posted by richteer

Fair enough. The Moon LP5.3 would still be a great choice! Unless you can get a great deal on an ARC PH5...

That is where I am now, I have to audition them. On my plate to audtion is the Ayre P-5xe, SimAudio Moon LP5.3 and the Audio Research Ph5. I would love to add tubes into my system.

Joe

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi Joe,

Do you mind if I stick my nose into this thead topic? You see, after just getting the new TT, I'm changing my upgrade focus for next year from a tube preamp (was looking at the Rogue Perseus) to a phono pre-amp and MC cartridge. However, I don't quite have the budget that you have. I'd be looking into something like $2,000 -$2,500 for both at most.

Mind if I hitch I ride?

John

[richteer]

Originally Posted by joe1515

That is where I am now, I have to audition them. On my plate to audtion is the Ayre P-5xe, SimAudio Moon LP5.3 and the Audio Research Ph5. I would love to add tubes into my system.

Joe

Cool! To be honest, you probably couldn't go wrong with any of those options (but the allure of tubes is always interesting). You're in an enviable situation!