Upgrade path question

Hi, welocome. Nice system, I’m running Totems too, lovely speakers. I run an old Rega 3 to my second system (Uniti2, Totem Hawks) and upgraded the styli first and had to use a new phono stage as my previous A60 amp had phono built in. I’d suggest starting with the styli, a dealer will be able to check it for wear under a microscope and recommend a suitable improvememt, which should be relatively low cost.

How do you find the headphone output for the HD’s on the Atom. I have a Nova and the headphone out is great, but on my older Uniti2 and Cute 2, they struggle to drive my HD800’s.

I think you need to have a long hard think on where you plan to go with your system in the future before spending any money now

It's easy to think ...I'll just buy a cartridge for £xxx now ..then find your TT isn't up to it ...then your phono stage....and when the dust settles...find you have wasted money chasing blind avenues that could have been avoided

I don’t know how good the Thorens is compared to a modern deck such as a Rega 6 or 8, and it may be worth comparing. It depends how important vinyl is to you of course. I’d also question whether the Atom is really up to driving the Totems, and whether a Nova is what’s needed to kick them into life. It would be worth comparing the two. 

With the Uniti range the analog rca input is digitised and then converted by the dac in the Atom back to analog for the pre/power combo. I am not sure how much money should be spent on that TT front end for a ADC/DAC conversion....it could be the limiting factor. I did experiment trying to use a Chord Dave analog output into the ADC/DAC of the Nova, it just sounded like a Nova, but cost £8k more.

Hi Dave and welcome! Sounds like you're hanging onto the Thorens for sentimental reasons and there's nowt wrong with that, it's a matter of limited upgrading, yes? The Thorens is a competent TT but throwing money at it might be counter-productive and just expose its shortcomings. If it were me and I wanted to keep the Thorens I would probably look at the phono stage, maybe spending something in the region of £250 on a Rega Fono, Graham Slee or Arcam (cheaper if you buy off eBay of course). I imagine the Thorens has the stock tonearm but that's another component that's worthy of attention, possibly ahead of the cartridge which I'd save to last. Worth speaking with a Thorens specialist if possible for their take and check out any Thorens user forums. 

Dave, welcome to the forum.

The Thorens TD-166 is a decent enough deck, being basically a cost-reduced version of the TD-160. Like the 160, with a few little tweaks, can be made to perform pretty well.  First thing is to replace is the belt.  Get a proper one (or Thakker substitute if strapped).  At the same time changing the oil and lubing would be good.  You can buy complete kits online for this (sometimes including the belt) if you wish to do it yourself. Then replace the ridged platter mat, and fit something completely flat - either the heavy flat rubber mat from the UK spec TD-160S or maybe one of the modern flat mats like the Funk and similar.  Beyond that, you're getting into spending big money for marginal gains, so looking at a better all round deck would be the best course of action. 

Mike Sullivan posted:

Hi, welocome. Nice system, I’m running Totems too, lovely speakers. I run an old Rega 3 to my second system (Uniti2, Totem Hawks) and upgraded the styli first and had to use a new phono stage as my previous A60 amp had phono built in. I’d suggest starting with the styli, a dealer will be able to check it for wear under a microscope and recommend a suitable improvememt, which should be relatively low cost.

How do you find the headphone output for the HD’s on the Atom. I have a Nova and the headphone out is great, but on my older Uniti2 and Cute 2, they struggle to drive my HD800’s.

Hi Mike. That’s an interesting idea about the stylus. I have seen a stylus that will fit the Shure which purports to be better. I’ll talk to my store folks. The current should be fine based on number of hours but I’ll bring it in just to be certain. 

So my Current Sennheisers are the lower impedance ones. The Stom drives them fine. I’m not convinced that Naim spent substantial money on the headphone amp circuit. It’s ok but I’m not interested in a headphone amp ATM. 

Richard Dane posted:

Dave, welcome to the forum.

The Thorens TD-166 is a decent enough deck, being basically a cost-reduced version of the TD-160. Like the 160, with a few little tweaks, can be made to perform pretty well.  First thing is to replace is the belt.  Get a proper one (or Thakker substitute if strapped).  At the same time changing the oil and lubing would be good.  You can buy complete kits online for this (sometimes including the belt) if you wish to do it yourself. Then replace the ridged platter mat, and fit something completely flat - either the heavy flat rubber mat from the UK spec TD-160S or maybe one of the modern flat mats like the Funk and similar.  Beyond that, you're getting into spending big money for marginal gains, so looking at a better all round deck would be the best course of action. 

Hi Richard. Thanks. I had done those things on the Thorens as soon as I took it out of storage. I got a leather mat because I couldn’t find a modern rubber one. I’ll do a search based on your suggestion. 

Jonners posted:

Hi Dave and welcome! Sounds like you're hanging onto the Thorens for sentimental reasons and there's nowt wrong with that, it's a matter of limited upgrading, yes? The Thorens is a competent TT but throwing money at it might be counter-productive and just expose its shortcomings. If it were me and I wanted to keep the Thorens I would probably look at the phono stage, maybe spending something in the region of £250 on a Rega Fono, Graham Slee or Arcam (cheaper if you buy off eBay of course). I imagine the Thorens has the stock tonearm but that's another component that's worthy of attention, possibly ahead of the cartridge which I'd save to last. Worth speaking with a Thorens specialist if possible for their take and check out any Thorens user forums. 

Jonners—

Yes, there’s some sentiment there. I feel like my 14 year old self bought me a nice present—he worked as a golf caddy to buy me the table. I’ve listened to a number of modern tables, and I prefer the old lady over any new that’s under $3k before cartridge. My listening room has a concrete slab floor (well with lvp on top) and so I have zero resonance reaching the deck. 

Thanks for the pre-amp suggestions. 

Does anyone have some personal experience with the guy over at vinyl nirvana?

d

Gazza posted:

With the Uniti range the analog rca input is digitised and then converted by the dac in the Atom back to analog for the pre/power combo. I am not sure how much money should be spent on that TT front end for a ADC/DAC conversion....it could be the limiting factor. I did experiment trying to use a Chord Dave analog output into the ADC/DAC of the Nova, it just sounded like a Nova, but cost £8k more.

Well your experience just saved me a bucket of moola. Thanks!!

d

Japtimscarlet posted:

I think you need to have a long hard think on where you plan to go with your system in the future before spending any money now

It's easy to think ...I'll just buy a cartridge for £xxx now ..then find your TT isn't up to it ...then your phono stage....and when the dust settles...find you have wasted money chasing blind avenues that could have been avoided

Well I have school tuition for two kids and then college for them after that, so I suspect I’m not going to being sinking real money into the system for quite some time. Given that, I am at the small tweak phase. But maybe that is not the right way for me to think about that and you raise a good point to ponder regardless.

Thanks,. 

D

hungryhalibut posted:

I don’t know how good the Thorens is compared to a modern deck such as a Rega 6 or 8, and it may be worth comparing. It depends how important vinyl is to you of course. I’d also question whether the Atom is really up to driving the Totems, and whether a Nova is what’s needed to kick them into life. It would be worth comparing the two. 

HH,

i had wondered that earlier about Atom versus Nova. But a Hi-Fi shop I respect had paired the exact setup and in speaking with them they thought it a felicitous match. 

I  was just listening to some Charlie Haden diets and the system was putting out some very convincing bass. Each note and strum was depicted  and the Totems cut off at a nominal 45 but I feel I was hearing some lower well defined sound off Charlie’s double bass  

d

I'm not sure the Rega phono will be that much more competent than the Schitt, though it may have an advantage with regards to synergy.  I would say enjoy what you have for now - what you have is decent already.  Wait and save up for products that are truly a step above.  Not easy, I know, given the way prices are rising these days.

Thanks Hastings. I am enjoying it. As I’ve gotten back into the hobby, I promised myself I’d focus on all that’s right with my system at least as much as where an upgrade path existed. I feel fortunate to have reached my current  quality of sound and get a tremendous amount of pleasure from what I have, even as I’ve been exposed to a level of sound that would cost many multiples of my current kit. Desire should always exceed our grasp. 

Prices truly are unbelievable, especially with kids and socking away for retirement—which is only 15 years away. And other projects...

best wishes,

d

Dramatic Tenor posted:

retirement—which is only 15 years away

Congratulations, you are almost certainly the youngest member of this forum!

Hah! Well, I don’t get that as much as I used to. But I’ll take it when I do!