My Next Upgrade (final ???)

I'd suggest
1) Arm, cartridge.
2) Rack.
3) Speakers.

Paul Rowlands

From what I have read from previous posts on the forum, Isobariks seem the logical choice.

I would also suggest a decent rack like a Hutter or similar.

Cartridge could be worth looking at too once it needs a stylus replacement.

IMO

Hicap the 3,5, Fraim the system, with SBLs
and aim for an 82.

Joe90

I would hypothesize that you listen to a lot more vinyl than polycarbonate. If that's right, I agree that the arm & cart should be upgrades 1 & 2.

If you want to avail yourself of the vast amount of music on CD, a major CDP upgrade is in order.

If you're happy with the CDP, a major preamp would be my next choice.

Speakers last, probably.

But what's your budget? That could change the order.

Regards.

Phil

1. Ditch the K9 and replace with something like the Dynavector DV10x5H or 20XH
2. HiCap the CD3.5
3. Decent equipment support to suit

David

1. Borrow a good quality turntable stand,set it up correctly and see if you find the improvement as jaw-dropping as I did. If you do, buy a rack.

2. Arm

3. Cart.

4. Reassess speakers in view of massive improvements.

If the TT stand doesn't impress you that much, go with Paul's suggestion.

Take your time, and have fun.

What speakers do you have?

What is the kit standing on at the moment?

How much have you to spend?

cheers

Nigel

Well, where do I start ??

I sometimes live in Thailand (when I'm not working) and am not able to get much of anything there in the way of Hi-Fi, so I'm taking the opportunity to upgrade whatever I can during this short spell in Europe.

The problems this brings is also to do with postage/shipping/cargo charges as much as anything as I am probably about 100Kg overweight already, and shipping stuff out to SE Asia is VERY Expensive, so the Bricks are out I'm afraid.

Now the supports/arm/cartridge may be a lot more doable, so, questions:

1. Whats wrong with an Ittok ?
2. Where can I buy decent racks in Thailand ?
3. How much better is MC than MM ??

To answer your question Nigel (sent you a PT by the way), the kit is sitting in a built-in wall rack at the moment (very solid) not exactly audiophile I know, but it's only temporary.

Budget is as little as possible, I'm definitely not your 4-5K upgrader, but realise that in this instance, I need to think about a long term speaker upgrade, (I dont even know the name of the ones I have now), and used to have SBL's which I loved.

As I said previously, weight is an issue here and can cause a good S/H price to suddenly leap up to near new price with the postage, so I'm really looking to have only one heavy item (I'm already hand carrying a 250 !!).

I'm also looking to build my own Supercap (with a lot of help from those in the know), which I intend to use to drive both the 72 and the CD3.5, so I'm already on the right path there I think.

To answer the vinyl question, I don't have many records at the moment, but it is definitely my medium of choice, so the LP12 is the prime candidate for upgrades, its an old one, about 1987 I think, with a valhalla and Cirkus upgrade, it came with the K9 as a S/H bundle.

Lots to sort out here .........

Mike

MJSM

OK, there is Naim dealer in Bangkok,Thailand. You can also find HiFI racks in Bangkok, Plean Jit Mall on Sukumvit Rd. There are many Hi Fi shops at the mall.

Cheers
J

Mike,
you might want to consider a pair of used
135's very good value right now and a very good
match for the 72.

Mike,

The Ittok was a great achievement. It was so much better than my old Akito that I couldn't imagine anything better...but if you like vinyl, you haven't lived until you've heard the enxt generation of super arms.

I prefer the ARO. By a long shot. But some people prefer the Ekos, Graham, TriPlanar - but I tend to trust Linn and Naim on this.. The ARO is MUCH closer to real music than is the Ittok, at least to my ears. The Ekos that I heard was simply a much better Ittok. YMMV.

One guy here thinks the Ittok is best, and he's entitled to his eccentricities. :-) He IS in a very small minority, but you might have a similar reaction, so don't buy without hearing.

In any case, try to listen to a super arm. It may be what you really want.

Regards.

Phil

quote:

---

Originally posted by J The Kop:
MJSM

OK, there is Naim dealer in Bangkok,Thailand. You can also find HiFI racks in Bangkok, Plean Jit Mall on Sukumvit Rd. There are many Hi Fi shops at the mall.

Cheers
J

---

Thanks 'J' but the dealer in Bangkok is selling mostly Bose gear, I've already checked him out, bloody useless and a tremendous price hike compared to UK (I don't generally buy new anayway), to clarify the matter, he did'nt know that kit had to be re-capped at the ten year point - nuff said ??

I'll check out you link though, many thanks for that.

Furnace,

Re the 135's, this is how the thread started, see my first post. I also can't justify the weight factor (add about $450 to the buying price for postage)

Cheers
Mike

quote:

---

Originally posted by Phil Barry:
Mike,

The Ittok was a great achievement. It was so much better than my old Akito that I couldn't imagine anything better...but if you like vinyl, you haven't lived until you've heard the enxt generation of super arms.

I prefer the ARO. By a long shot. But some people prefer the Ekos, Graham, TriPlanar - but I tend to trust Linn and Naim on this.. The ARO is MUCH closer to real music than is the Ittok, at least to my ears. The Ekos that I heard was simply a much better Ittok. YMMV.

One guy here thinks the Ittok is best, and he's entitled to his eccentricities. :-) He IS in a very small minority, but you might have a similar reaction, so don't buy without hearing.

In any case, try to listen to a super arm. It may be what you really want.

Regards.

Phil

---

Thanks Phil,

I once had an Aro, and could'nt live with the queing action, I was scared to lift the bloody arm off the record, and would have been petrified if i'd had a decent cartridge (i.e. Troika/Archiv etc), I had a K18 (MM) on it at the time, so I dont really know what the arm is capable of musically, have they changed the lifting action since 1989 ??.

Anyway, I think I'll stick with the Ittok for now, and consider an arm upgrade later, the Graham is a mother beautiful looking piece of kit BTW, I saw one in KL last year - awesome

Cheers
Mike

Mike,
Clearly the Ittok isn't as good as an Ekos or an Aro, but neither is it being overstretched by a K9. I moved up from a K9 to a DV10x4 on an Ittok and the difference was amazing. Even when new the K9 wasn't a particularly good performer, but when compared with current cartridge offerings it leaves a lot to be desired. At £250ish a DV10x5 (latest version) would be an excellent VFM upgrade for you and light to carry

David

David,

I agree about the K9 (although compared to some quite expensive Japanese MC's of the day, it held its own), and this one was on the deck (I have'nt even played it yet !!)

I'm assuming that the DV10x4 is a Dynavector (?), is this version MM or MC ??

Thanks
Mike

Mike,

Check your PT's

Colin Lorenson

Hi all,

I've opened another topic (see 'which cartidge next' thread) regarding cartidges.

I guess I'm looking firstly at speakers and have found a few to consider, more later

Colin, have responded to your PT

Thanks for now
Mike

Colin,

I'm interested, have sent you another PT.

Mike