Hello all,
I'm a frequent lurker but very infrequent poster here - mostly as I seldom have anything intelligent to say
I've been driving myself mad lately trying to figure out how to approach a turntable upgrade and I'm just going round in circles, so I thought I'd ask in the hope of some fresh input.
I currently have 2 turntables (though I don't really need to have two) - they are as follows:
1) An old (1995 or so) Rega Planar 3 fitted with an SRM silent base, white drive belt, SRM/Tech mat and bearing and a Goldring 1012 cart/stylus. Standard RB300 arm which is really getting on for needing a rewire. I play this through headphones (Sennheiser HD650s) via a Rega Phono Amp and a Little Dot Valve headphone amp.
2) An even older but MUCH loved Pink Triangle Little Pink Thing - totally standard with a Rega/Moth arm and an Audio Technica AT120E cart. I play this (infrequently as I'm scared of burning out the electrics!) via my main system which is a Rokasn Kandy K2 Amp and Power Amp - bi-amping a pair of Roksan Caspian FR5 speakers (I do like Roksan stuff).
Anyway, I have a bit of 'silly' money to do some upgrading at the moment (maybe £1000 or so) but I'm not getting anywhere figuring out what to do. I love the LPT but, in practise, I probably can't upgrade it much. The Rega is really at the end of it upgrade path. I keep thinking it might be time for a 'proper' suspended turntable (maybe a Gyro SE or a used LP12 or Xerxes) but to get one of those and a worthy arm and cart is a bit of a stretch. I've also been looking at arm upgrades (rather than rewiring my RB300) and really like the look of the Audiomods Mk4 and Mk5 arms.
In a hypothetical dream scenario, there would be some things I could do to the LPT to make it even more great but preserve its looks and character (and maybe give it some suspension). However, in the real world, I wonder if adding a fancy arm and cart to the LPT would give me the best sonic bang for my buck.
So - some fresh ideas about how to approach this issue would be really appreciated. My goal is to have the best overall sound I can manage using (or selling) what I've already got and adding some extra cash. I don't need to end up with 2 turntables at the end of it - but boy would I miss the LPT - I just think they are so cool!
HELP!
Thanks and regards,
Andy