Upgrade Path for simple Naim System
Posted by: George White on 28 December 2015
OK, I am new here but I am looking for advice. I want to progress from my current configuration where I listen to vinyl almost exclusively. I feel that I have the right system for my listening (room) situation, which is combined with our living room where we entertain guests and sometimes have non-audiophiles in to listen to old and new vinyl tracks. I am not very interested in "trading up" to more power and bigger speakers because I am happy with what I have in the room size including the compromises that I have made. The music, furniture and art combine to create the environment that I want. But, I would like to optimize the Hi-fi footprint that I have. My current pathway is to isolate everything with good platforms and vibration isolation stuff, and for my Rega P3 I have added a better subplatter, platter and record clamp. My next project is to have an isolation platform constructed for the Rega. This will be made from a solid piece of ebony that I have imported from Madagascar. As I said, the esthetics are important to me so I want to improve the appearance of the TT at the same time as I do the isolation. The fact that the ebony was purchased on a recent trip to Madagascar also adds to the whole situation. SO now comes my question. I think I should stick with upgrades at the source so first would be to move to a Moving Coil cartridge for the Rega. I can also replace the tone arm with a custom one and I will need a MC phono preamp and an external power supply. SO , considering the Naim entry level system I have, what is the best preamp, tone arm, MC phono amp and power supply for my system. And what is the upgrade sequence. Am I correct in concentrating on the source and how do I make sure that I don't go overboard? Budget is not the issue.. blance is. I would be interested in comments from this community. My closest Naim dealer is 2,200 km away so I don't get in there to discuss very often and the salesmen probably do not have the insight available from this group here. They always wnt to upsel me or move me into DAC stuff. My system components are listed on my profile.