I'm seeking advice, here is what I have at the moment:
High End Powered Speakers - ADR Eona 103 (Meyer equivalent) . I paid about $3k each when I was a DJ. They are now in my home (on low) , i'm more than happy with these for my digital setup but its analog I'm adding, hence the post
I have an IPAD into bluetooth 5 Topping 50 DAC , into Mackie 802 VLZ 3 small band Mixer (also from my DJ days) . As mentioned, I'm happy, the digital sound is great.
I have a Turntable that I know needs replacing, its a Numark TT 1625, I recently added an Ortofon Concorde MK2 Club cartridge, $180. I also recently bought a Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 SE Phono pre-amp., this replaced a dj denon phono preamp before. I must say, the new cart & phone pre-amp has made a big difference so were moving in the right direction.
The question what to do next, while i've already improved my vinyl sound, I do feel I can do better. (I am cleaning, dusting, etc the vinyl, most was bought used, 60s, 70s, 80s)
I could look at the mackie pre-amp mixer and replace it. I've been looking at passive pre-amps like Tisbury audio Mini Passive Preamplifier II £149, also the Axiom II Passive Preamp RCA $195, also the Axiom II Passive Preamp Walker Mod RCA $499 . The Axium guys are recommending the Walker Mod if switching between 2 inputs. they prefer a single input setup , but offer both.
* One question is if I like the DAC into the Mackie sound does this mean I should be satisfied with the Mackie with Gram Amp / vinyl into it ? or, is it possible the Mackie works well for Digital input but less so for Vinyl. I suspect the latter.
I could replace the Turntable & Cart. I see the Marantz TT 15 S1 $1500 has the Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cart "Virtuoso cartridge V1", and I believe the cart & tone arm (Clearaudio Satisfy) individually cost $2k if bought separately. I could invest $1500 if I felt I was going to get a decent appreciable bump in sound quality. I'm open to other ideas.
I am recognizing that some albums, on my current set up , sound a lot better than others. Roxy Music - The Atlantic Years 1972 to 1980, its a "promotion Only" copy. It sounds great. I do realize the quality of the original process is a factor. As mentioned, all my current vinyl is used and while I try to clean them I do realize this might be part of the problem.
Open to all ideas. I could probably return the Gram Amp.
High End Powered Speakers - ADR Eona 103 (Meyer equivalent) . I paid about $3k each when I was a DJ. They are now in my home (on low) , i'm more than happy with these for my digital setup but its analog I'm adding, hence the post
I have an IPAD into bluetooth 5 Topping 50 DAC , into Mackie 802 VLZ 3 small band Mixer (also from my DJ days) . As mentioned, I'm happy, the digital sound is great.
I have a Turntable that I know needs replacing, its a Numark TT 1625, I recently added an Ortofon Concorde MK2 Club cartridge, $180. I also recently bought a Graham Slee Gram Amp 2 SE Phono pre-amp., this replaced a dj denon phono preamp before. I must say, the new cart & phone pre-amp has made a big difference so were moving in the right direction.
The question what to do next, while i've already improved my vinyl sound, I do feel I can do better. (I am cleaning, dusting, etc the vinyl, most was bought used, 60s, 70s, 80s)
I could look at the mackie pre-amp mixer and replace it. I've been looking at passive pre-amps like Tisbury audio Mini Passive Preamplifier II £149, also the Axiom II Passive Preamp RCA $195, also the Axiom II Passive Preamp Walker Mod RCA $499 . The Axium guys are recommending the Walker Mod if switching between 2 inputs. they prefer a single input setup , but offer both.
* One question is if I like the DAC into the Mackie sound does this mean I should be satisfied with the Mackie with Gram Amp / vinyl into it ? or, is it possible the Mackie works well for Digital input but less so for Vinyl. I suspect the latter.
I could replace the Turntable & Cart. I see the Marantz TT 15 S1 $1500 has the Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cart "Virtuoso cartridge V1", and I believe the cart & tone arm (Clearaudio Satisfy) individually cost $2k if bought separately. I could invest $1500 if I felt I was going to get a decent appreciable bump in sound quality. I'm open to other ideas.
I am recognizing that some albums, on my current set up , sound a lot better than others. Roxy Music - The Atlantic Years 1972 to 1980, its a "promotion Only" copy. It sounds great. I do realize the quality of the original process is a factor. As mentioned, all my current vinyl is used and while I try to clean them I do realize this might be part of the problem.
Open to all ideas. I could probably return the Gram Amp.