Most effective upgrade to Pro-Ject X2

[Markmaguire]

With up to £200 to spend, which of these would make the most effective upgrade in terms of sound quality.

Ortofon 2M Blue Stylus (just stylus, not full cart as have the 2M Silver now) £95 approx
Aluminium sub platter £139
Phono stage like Cambridge Alva Solo or Rega Fono MM £200
Some kind of isolation platform

Thanks

 

[nads]

What phono stage have you got now?

 

[Al ears]

The Audiolab has a decent phono stage so I would concentrate on the cartridge. A move away from Ortofon would be an idea as the Blue cartridge is not going to be much better than the Silver, however it would be your cheapest option.

 

[Markmaguire]

Just using the one in the Audiolab 6000A amp

 

[Markmaguire]

The Audiolab has a decent phono stage so I would concentrate on the cartridge. A move away from Ortofon would be an idea as the Blue cartridge is not going to be much better than the Silver, however it would be your cheapest option.

Something like Goldring 1042?

 

[plastic penguin]

Just using the one in the Audiolab 6000A amp

With my Pro-jects (Xpression 1 and Classic) ClearAudio Concept cartridge works a treat, as does Goldring.

 

[plastic penguin]

Something like Goldring 1042?

Yes, should work very well

 

[Al ears]

Yes, should work very well

It's a very good all-rounder but you aren't going to get one for £200

 

[plastic penguin]

It's a very good all-rounder but you aren't going to get one for £200

Of course not. At the very least it gives the OP something to chew over.

 

[Al ears]

Of course not. At the very least it gives the OP something to chew over.

Yes, he suggested it but said initially he had £200 to spend
Just wondered if his budget had jumped significantly.

 

[Markmaguire]

£325 is the cheapest I've seen the 1042. Read some good reviews of it, so I think it might be worth it. Just have to wait a bit longer to do it.
Thanks everyone.

 

[elliswils]

I run an Ortofon Bronze on my X2, probably above your budget, but it works well. That said, if the original recording isn't great it does nothing for it.

I have the aluminium sub-platter but honestly cannot hear any improvement over the factory fitting 'plastic' platter.

Sound isolation is always worth looking at though.

With my last deck, I went from the great budget priced Rega Phono Mini (the original one) and upgraded it to a ProJect Tube Box S I picked up in a closing down sale. This gave the biggest audible improvement by a country mile, and so much so that I went the next step when I bought the X2 and rolled out the valves from some 1950s gems from Brent Jessee. Again you can hear the difference. Not as great as Rega to Tube Box S change but you can hear the step up.

Not sure this helps but cartridge and phono are where I would would look.

 

[nopiano]

If you want to experiment, you can often find Rega MM Fono used for nearer £100 on eBay, then resell if you prefer your Audiolab. The 2M Blue should be an improvement if you like the basic sound - it’s more detailed than the Red. (Can’t recall what stylus tip the Silver has).

An isolation device might help if your turntable isn’t ideally located. But might be pointless.

I’d try save another £100 to get a 2M Bronze, or a Goldring 10xx series. The 1012gx is cheaper than the 1024, and very good.

 

[daytona600]

Ortofon Qunitet RED + balanced mini XLR + Project S3B
fully balanced system
Phono Box S3 B – Pro-Ject Audio Systems (project-audio.com)
Project have a vast range of upgrades
Platter , Sub platter , Isolation platforms , TT psu etc

 

[Markmaguire]

. (Can’t recall what stylus tip the Silver has).

I think it’s the same as the red but the cart has silver windings instead of copper.(from memory so could be wrong)

 

[Al ears]

Ortofon Qunitet RED + balanced mini XLR + Project S3B
fully balanced system
Phono Box S3 B – Pro-Ject Audio Systems (project-audio.com)
Project have a vast range of upgrades
Platter , Sub platter , Isolation platforms , TT psu etc


View attachment 3778

What's the cost of that little setup?
Personally I would contemplate a cheap moving coil but that's best me....

 

[nopiano]

I think it’s the same as the red but the cart has silver windings instead of copper.(from memory so could be wrong)

That was my hunch, so the better tip on the Blue will definitely be a step up.

 

[Basso]

If you are happy with your current set up then I would go with the 2M blue stylus and then buy some more records. Easiest option and I am pretty sure you will notice the difference. If you are not happy then maybe a different flavour of cart is the way to go.