Project classic upgrade

[Tisinthepark]

I’ve just upgraded the plastic sub platter now looking at upgrading the cartridge from the silver to 2m black but I’m reading a few bad reviews about the black. Any help out there.
My amp is the rotel a10 and b&w 686 s2 speakers any help greatly appreciated may upgrade the amp later.

[Paul-H]

Just out of curiosity what is your current system lacking that makes you feel the need to upgrade, given that most need to upgrade often only needs to another need to upgrade when it turned out your upgrade was not the sort of upgrade you were expecting.

Note all the pointless upgrades there, they are there for a reason. ;)

The gear we have is often better than we think.

[Tisinthepark]

Great question Paul, not sure what it’s lacking to be honest as most my vinyl sound better than my CDs (I hear more)but if it can be upgraded I need to hear it......�� and I’ve read that the black separates the instruments more which interests me....

[Lurch]

I would say, with the rest of your system you won't reap the benefits of a jump to the Black (and its a pig to install spot bollock to get the best from it due to the shibata stylus).
If you really want to move up with your cart then just get a blue stylus. The Silver is basically a Red but with silver coils (though not a full bronze/black coil pack) the blue will give you a Nude elliptical over and above the bonded of the red. Getting a replacement blue stylus would also mean not having to install a new cart from scratch but still be an upgrade in SQ. Just keep the silver stylus should you have an accident at a later date.

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

[Tisinthepark]

Lurch would you upgrade the amp or speakers first before the cartridge to reap the benefits of the 2m black? What difference would I notice with just the blue stylus and the silver cart.

[Lurch]

I would say the Blue would be more expressive and detailed as the nude stylus makes for a lighter more nimble assembly. I understand your desire to jump to the black, but as I said its a pig to setup correctly vta, asymuth & zenith need to be spot on for it to sing. If you feel you really have to move up the cart food chain then look at the Bronze (a more melodic presentation) or the Goldring 1042.

Have just googled you amp and whilst it says it has a very good mm stage and is a decent budget amp, I don't believe it would do a cart like the 2M black justice. However at this point I would stick with what you have amp d speaker wise. Once lock down is finished you will be able to listen to other stuff being fed by your tt to see what your ears think.

Sent from my I3312 using Tapatalk

[hifi_dave]

I’ve just upgraded the plastic sub platter now looking at upgrading the cartridge from the silver to 2m black but I’m reading a few bad reviews about the black. Any help out there.
My amp is the rotel a10 and b&w 686 s2 speakers any help greatly appreciated may upgrade the amp later.

I'm not a fan of the 2M cartridges finding them thin and bright. If you want the benefits of a better tip, look at the Audio Technica VM range for great value and superb performance.

Also the phono stage in the Rotel isn't great, so I would suggest you investigate a separate unit before ditching your present cartridge.

[Tisinthepark]

Unfortunately up here we don’t have many stores where I can audition many amps are there any you guys would recommend to go with my system?

[Tisinthepark]

Rega elex-r?

[hifi_dave]

Perfect or the Elicit-r if the budget allows. Both have very good internal phono stages.

[Tisinthepark]

I would need a headphone amp with the elex would I be better to stick with rega for that also? I have b&w headphones.

[hifi_dave]

Why not, unless you want to go for something far more exotic and expensive.

[Jac Hawk]

Ok so i'd go along with Dave about the Audio Technica Cart a mate of mine has the VM750SH and to my ears it puts the 2m Black in the shade, that being said his is on a Planar 2 with a Rega arm so it may sound different on your deck. I have a RPM 6 SB with a Dynavector 10x5 and i must say i prefer the sound of my mates VM, also as others have said a better phone stage will improve things greatly, maybe have a look at the Project offerings i've got a Tube Box which you should be able to pick up 2nd hand off ebay for not much money and that mated with the AT cart should give you great sound and deep bass.

[WullieD20]

I have to agree with Mike re the AT VM750SH..... which is a fantastic cartridge for the price (especially if you can secure a 'deal').
I bought one recently to put into a Jelco / Garrard 401 combination and it strikes me as being head and shoulders above a 2M Black. However, as with most things Hi-Fi it could come down to personal preference.
With regards to your other components, have you tried the couple of excellent dealers just over the bridge in Fife, or even Hi-Fi Corner over the other bridge? All pretty helpful with advice and loaning equipment.

[Jac Hawk]

With regards to your other components, have you tried the couple of excellent dealers just over the bridge in Fife, or even Hi-Fi Corner over the other bridge? All pretty helpful with advice and loaning equipment.

Must admit HiFi Corner are a nice buch to deal with

[Jac Hawk]

It will sell for more than this but there are plenty around, my point is for about £100 if you don't like the sound it makes move it on

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pro-Ject-Tube-Box-DS-in-Silver-immaculate/174279573484?hash=item2893df3fec:g:ES8AAOSwgAdeuXN A

[Tisinthepark]

Thanks lads, why does there have to be so much choice lol
Think I will defo try a different cartridge than the ortofon as I’ve had the red & blue in my last turntable and now the silver in this one....... still can’t decide on a make/model of amp though. ��

[Jac Hawk]

Finally getting my new amp next weekend so i'll be saying goodby to the Marantz i'm currently using, i was thinking i'd keep it and stick it into another system, but honestly in all likelihood it would sit unused on a shelf and in my opinion that's the kiss of death for an amp and not the end i want for what in my opinion is a great sounding piece of kit in like new condition, i'd honestly rather see it go in a blue flash and a puff of smoke rockin away with the volume up to 11.

[Tisinthepark]

Ok my heads mince after reading review after review of various amps, I now have a new question
I have a marantz CD player hooked up to my rotel amp aswell as my turntable, so I was thinking of just keeping the rotel for my CDs and buying a dedicated amp for my turntable would this be a better way to go and better sound for my vinyl?
And if so what dedicated amps are the ones to go for? Thanks again for your help it’s much appreciated

[hifi_dave]

Why not buy a better amp with a good internal phono stage ? Rega Elex-r, for instance.

[Jac Hawk]

Ok my heads mince after reading review after review of various amps,

1st rule of fight club, don't take reviews as gospel USE YOUR EARS see if you can get a loan or at least listen to a few that you've earmarked

[Tisinthepark]

Thinking a dedicated amp and different cart is the way but not sure as how to split the budget 50/50 or more on the cart than the amp? Thoughts on the rega phono stage mc and a audio tech mc?

[Jac Hawk]

I'm using an ART9 at the moment on my modded Rega running through a Project Tube Box as i've loaned my Firebottle to a mate and it sounds great, so you don't necessarily need to spend the earth on a phonostage to get good sound. it really depends how much you have to spend, but i would keep your amp for the time being spend the majority of your budget on the cart and try to pick up a good 2nd hand phonostage, see what it sounds like and then decide if you need to upgrade the amp, do 1 thing at a time and see what effect it has good or bad, then if needed spend more.

[hifi_dave]

Thinking a dedicated amp and different cart is the way but not sure as how to split the budget 50/50 or more on the cart than the amp? Thoughts on the rega phono stage mc and a audio tech mc?

The Rega Fono MC is great and AT cartridges are very good value but you are still going through the Rotel.