Improve an existing system

[A good listener]

I am looking to improve my HI-fi system.

I listen mostly to Vinyl, on a Thorens TD160 super with a Rega RB300 arm. I have an Arcam Alpha 7 CD player.

I have a John Sherne phase 2 amplifier. In the past I had an Inca Tech Claymore (original Colin Wonfor design), which was my pride and joy. It eventually , literally burnt out. At the time that I acquired that in the mid 90’s I had the opportunity to compare it to a Linn Majik Amp of the time and found the claymore more to my preference.

I currently use Spendor prelude speakers, and have had Linn indexes in the past,

I am not particularly hi fi/electronics tech savvy, but know a good sound.

Years ago. an old friend and I used to go to the Hi-Fi Shows in London and I was in touch with the old products such as Linn. Naim, Systemdeck , Pink triangle etc.

I have around £800 to £1 000 to put into improvements. Most probably used equipment, which I have always been lucky with.

My first thought is to perhaps improve the amplifier, I always liked the Naim and Musical fidelity amps, but am not sure what would be an improvement on my current amp.

There is also the option of adding a power amp. Such as a John Sherne phase 3 or Naim or linn power amp, which I understand can improve sound quality. The phase 2 has a Pre out.

Secondly, as an improvement to the main source of the turntable, could the Linn Sondek LP12 be a contender. I know that it comes in many incarnations.

Although I have always had decent speaker an interconnect cables, I am going to investigate possible improvements there too.

I mostly listen to post bop jazz, blues influenced 70’s rock, and old Indian popular music which can be orchestra based or Indian classical based ……a real mixture.

I shall appreciate any advice.

 

[Gray]

...a Thorens TD160 super with a Rega RB300 arm.

That's what I currently own - with an Audio Technica VM-95E
Here it is, playing a horrible looking - but excellent sounding - 12" single:

I currently use Spendor prelude speakers

I thought I was the only one in the world to have ever owned that model!
An economy version of their SA2 model, brand new they cost me just short of £200.
I assume you're using bare wire connection (I replaced the spring clip terminals to allow the use of 4mm plugs)
But unless your speaker cables are really thin - I really wouldn't worry about changing them (or your interconnection cables).

You need to think carefully about the sound you've got - and how you think you can improve it.
No question, the biggest overall change will come with a change of speakers.

You may well be using an even better cartridge than I am - but that might be another thing to consider.

Can you describe how you think the sound you've got could be improved?

 

[RoA]

I had a Phase 2 in the nineties. Looks lovely and my then wife adored it’s sound which is big, lush and technicolour. I eventually changed it as I found it a little bit too much of the above, lacking focus. Shearne made Pre/power combinations which aleviated the shortcomings but they were too expensive for me at the time. An AudioInnovations amplifier was the replacement and I kept that for some time.

If your room gels with your speakers then the amplification is where I would invest first.

 

[Al ears]

You dont mention what cartridge you are using as this is the normal starting point....
Personally I would avoid the LP12 unless you really know what you are doing as can be tricky to setup accurately and can quickly become a money pit.

 

[Jasonovich]

Looking beyond the paraphet and deliberately avoiding a response that is more receptive to your vinyl universe but have you ever thought of embracing the Dark Side?

I'm thinking the Denafrips Ares II or Venus 15th R2R DAC align this with either Eversolo DMP-A6 second Gen or Bluesound NODE ICON. Use the streamer as a digital transport.

I think you already have an excellent setup, you can still proceed with changing your amp or speakers or both but I think you need a new set of dynamics to your setup.

Not the answers offered by other posters but small evolutionary steps are not always the best remedy.

 

[Al ears]

Looking beyond the paraphet and deliberately avoiding a response that is more receptive to your vinyl universe but have you ever thought of embracing the Dark Side?

I'm thinking the Denafrips Ares II or Venus 15th R2R DAC align this with either Eversolo DMP-A6 second Gen or Bluesound NODE ICON. Use the streamer as a digital transport.

I think you already have an excellent setup, you can still proceed with changing your amp or speakers or both but I think you need you need a new set of dynamics to your setup.

Not the answers offered by other posters but small evolutionary steps are not always the best remedy.

View attachment 9587

That's not improving a system, it's completely changing it.
But I see your point.

 

[matthewpianist]

Unless you can stretch to an LP12 that has received appropriate attention from someone who knows what they doing (Peter at Cymbiosis, Paul at Moorgate, Karl at Vickers as examples), tread carefully. They can sound wonderful if done right, but awful if not. It certainly isn’t something to buy on eBay or similar.

 

[Al ears]

Unless you can stretch to an LP12 that has received appropriate attention from someone who knows what they doing (Peter at Cymbiosis, Paul at Moorgate, Karl at Vickers as examples), tread carefully. They can sound wonderful if done right, but awful if not. It certainly isn’t something to buy on eBay or similar.

Correct. They are finicky and overcomplicated and, overpriced in my opinion.
Linn had to produce expensive add-ons to keep it vaguely competitive.
They certainly acquired a following but only by those with large bank accounts.
As such he is unlikely to acquire a good one for his budget.....
Adding a power amp is only going to help if it's more powerful than the integrated and can control the speakers better.
If the integrated is still working fine I would concentrated on cartridge then speakers.
That said we still don't know what cartridge he is using.
Must say I always fancied the Inca Tech Claymore....
I'd also look at updating that CD player, it will not last forever....

 

[Fandango Andy]

I am looking to improve my HI-fi system.

I listen mostly to Vinyl, on a Thorens TD160 super with a Rega RB300 arm. I have an Arcam Alpha 7 CD player.

I have a John Sherne phase 2 amplifier. In the past I had an Inca Tech Claymore (original Colin Wonfor design), which was my pride and joy. It eventually , literally burnt out. At the time that I acquired that in the mid 90’s I had the opportunity to compare it to a Linn Majik Amp of the time and found the claymore more to my preference.

I currently use Spendor prelude speakers, and have had Linn indexes in the past,

I am not particularly hi fi/electronics tech savvy, but know a good sound.

Years ago. an old friend and I used to go to the Hi-Fi Shows in London and I was in touch with the old products such as Linn. Naim, Systemdeck , Pink triangle etc.

I have around £800 to £1 000 to put into improvements. Most probably used equipment, which I have always been lucky with.

My first thought is to perhaps improve the amplifier, I always liked the Naim and Musical fidelity amps, but am not sure what would be an improvement on my current amp.

There is also the option of adding a power amp. Such as a John Sherne phase 3 or Naim or linn power amp, which I understand can improve sound quality. The phase 2 has a Pre out.

Secondly, as an improvement to the main source of the turntable, could the Linn Sondek LP12 be a contender. I know that it comes in many incarnations.

Although I have always had decent speaker an interconnect cables, I am going to investigate possible improvements there too.

I mostly listen to post bop jazz, blues influenced 70’s rock, and old Indian popular music which can be orchestra based or Indian classical based ……a real mixture.

I shall appreciate any advice.

You have excellent speakers but not known for their lower end. Have you considered a small active sub?

\do you have a decent cartridge on your record player, is there room for improvement there.

Finally, but probably most important, have you played with speaker positioning. a couple of extra CM from the wall, or a few degrees more/less toe in can make a world of difference.