Turntable upgrade?

[Heynumberone]

Hi everyone,
My current turntable is a project debut III with a goldring E3 cartridge. I’m looking to upgrade but unsure what the minimum spend will be for an appreciable difference. I’ve come to the conclusion that it isn’t worth pursuing a better cartridge and it’s probably time to upgrade the complete deck. Would changing to a regs P3 bring a significant change or should I look more at things in the P6 range (which might be out of budget).
System is Sugden A48 amplifier, Dali Oberon 3 speakers. Ideal budget around £1000.
Any thoughts/experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Al ears]

Hi everyone,
My current turntable is a project debut III with a goldring E3 cartridge. I’m looking to upgrade but unsure what the minimum spend will be for an appreciable difference. I’ve come to the conclusion that it isn’t worth pursuing a better cartridge and it’s probably time to upgrade the complete deck. Would changing to a regs P3 bring a significant change or should I look more at things in the P6 range (which might be out of budget).
System is Sugden A48 amplifier, Dali Oberon 3 speakers. Ideal budget around £1000.
Any thoughts/experience would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome to the forum.
Do you want to buy new or second-hand?

 

[Heynumberone]

Welcome to the forum.
Do you want to buy new or second-hand?

Hi, I’m open to both though keen to demo with my amp and speakers which probably limits second hand to buying from a dealer…

 

[Al ears]

Hi, I’m open to both though keen to demo with my amp and speakers which probably limits second hand to buying from a dealer…

I would always try to audition anyway so pretty much depends what is stocked in your area.

 

[Al ears]

I would always try to audition anyway so pretty much depends what is stocked in your area.

Perhaps something further up the Pro-ject line?
Most improvements will, however, come from a cartridge upgrade.

 

[Heynumberone]

I had considered that but wasn’t sure at the point that the original turntable/arm didn’t warrant a better cartridge.

 

[daytona600]

Trade in your debut for a X2B

Pro-Ject X2 B / Phono Box S3 B review

Pro-Ject backs balanced XLR connections for this turntable and phono amplifier pairing

www.whathifi.com

 

[nopiano]

Trade in your debut for a X2B

Pro-Ject X2 B / Phono Box S3 B review

Pro-Ject backs balanced XLR connections for this turntable and phono amplifier pairing

www.whathifi.com

And if that’s too rich, then maybe this…

Pro-Ject salutes its past with a special Perspective Final Edition turntable

The first in a new line that marries seminal designs with modern engineering

www.whathifi.com

On the wider point, a Rega 3 wouldn’t be a massive upgrade by any means, and quite a few think of the 6 as only slightly better than the P3. If you can see, hear and play with any of the possibilities, do take the opportunity, because the appearance and handling are often as important to your enjoyment as the sound. (I chose a Michell TecnoDec over a Rega Planar about a decade ago, but the Michell is now almost two grand)

For something completely different, a Technics SL1500 on offer, with a stylus upgrade to a 2M Blue might appeal.

 

[Al ears]

Trade in your debut for a X2B

Pro-Ject X2 B / Phono Box S3 B review

Pro-Ject backs balanced XLR connections for this turntable and phono amplifier pairing

www.whathifi.com

Why if he hasn't the peripherals to take advantage ot it, which he doesn't.....
Can you explain reasoning?

 

[Rui]

i would sugest a Rega as the pro-jects i tried amongst them the top-end model but the around 1000€ turntables are very weak,

but, maybe you prefer a less expensive and maybe better built, if you could find a 70´s technics if working properly ,

Rega is a good option and most important, the cartridge, i refer to before 79 technics as currently i´m using two and were heavy used ,

recentelly bought a P10 from Rega and i´m happy with it, and installed a Hana Umami red, as they are cheaper to me than the ofered options with a made for it power suply,

i would sugest to look for the cartridges especifications , if a Rega would be, hope you´ll be satisfied with your purchase

 

[plastic penguin]

I had considered that but wasn’t sure at the point that the original turntable/arm didn’t warrant a better cartridge.

If the Debut is anything like my old Xpression 1, a cartridge upgrade is worthwhile. I purchased a Clearaudio Classic Wood and it was a very audible step up.

 

[daytona600]

.
Why if he hasn't the peripherals to take advantage ot it, which he doesn't.....
Can you explain reasoning?

Outputs RCA & XLR Fully balanced for future upgrades

X2 B TURNTABLE FROM PRO-JECT

It’s a turntable but with a twist. The X2 can be connected in balanced mode. Paul Rigby asks, is it worth it or is it a fancy gimmick?

theaudiophileman.com

 

[Al ears]

.
Why if he hasn't the peripherals to take advantage ot it, which he doesn't.....
Can you explain reasoning?

Outputs RCA & XLR Fully balanced for future upgrades

X2 B TURNTABLE FROM PRO-JECT

It’s a turntable but with a twist. The X2 can be connected in balanced mode. Paul Rigby asks, is it worth it or is it a fancy gimmick?

theaudiophileman.com

View attachment 6462

Good point assuming he wants to buy a suitable phono preamp in the future.

 

[Fred1958]

For just over £100 you could upgrade your E3 with the new E4 stylus. I contacted Goldring and they have confirmed that it is the same body. The E4 stylus is a nude eliptical which tightens up the bass, greater separation and more refined high frequencies. It's high compliance too so it will suit many arms/TT combos. A cost effective that is well worth it, to my ears at least.

David

 

[Revolutions]

I’d vote for stylus every time. Then save money for a turntable with a better arm, heavier platter & external power.

 

[bigfish786]

I’ve got the goldring e3 too, it’s a good enough cart, but I much prefer the Nagaoka MP110.
For me, a way more musical cart. Worth shopping around for. They have gone up in price but I think are still worth the outlay.

 

[Heynumberone]

Thank you all, lots of food for thought here. I’m interested in a stylus upgrade - perhaps while I save more for a total turntable change. How easy/difficult is it to fit a new stylus?

Local hifi shop does reconditioned Linn LP12’s often with an ATvm95ml cart. Any thoughts there? They average about £1300 so similar price to a moving magnet fitted Rega P6.

 

[Heynumberone]

Thank you all, lots of food for thought here. I’m interested in a stylus upgrade - perhaps while I save more for a total turntable change. How easy/difficult is it to fit a new stylus?

Local hifi shop does reconditioned Linn LP12’s often with an ATvm95ml cart. Any thoughts there? They average about £1300 so similar price to a moving magnet fitted Rega P6

 

[daytona600]

E3 Is a audio technica in a party frock

 

[DougK1]

Thank you all, lots of food for thought here. I’m interested in a stylus upgrade - perhaps while I save more for a total turntable change. How easy/difficult is it to fit a new stylus?

Local hifi shop does reconditioned Linn LP12’s often with an ATvm95ml cart. Any thoughts there? They average about £1300 so similar price to a moving magnet fitted Rega P6.

Stylus change is really easy, generally just slide off the old one and slide the new one on. Might need a slight adjustment to VTF and bias setting - maybe, maybe not. It's 10x easier than the palaver of changing a cartridge.

 

[nopiano]

Thank you all, lots of food for thought here. I’m interested in a stylus upgrade - perhaps while I save more for a total turntable change. How easy/difficult is it to fit a new stylus?

Local hifi shop does reconditioned Linn LP12’s often with an ATvm95ml cart. Any thoughts there? They average about £1300 so similar price to a moving magnet fitted Rega P6

If they know what they’re doing then a Linn will be a vast improvement. But they do need to be kept in good shape and the set up is important, especially the bounce of the suspended chassis. Keep in mind you could spend literally ten times more on upgrades, so as long as you don’t go down that particular rabbit hole you have plenty of headroom.

The 95ML is a super cartridge, (I use one on my Technics) with a similar heritage to your Goldring (which is made by AT for them). Similar tonally too.