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Thread: Upgrading from an Orbe?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Feb 2017

    Location: Essex-Herts border

    Posts: 141
    I'm Matt.

    Default Upgrading from an Orbe?

    This is quite speculative, but interested in other peoples views.
    Currently I have an Orbe/Ekos/Lyra Kleos, into an AR PH5 phono-stage.
    Now I really do love this combo. Although I also stream music via Tidal, there's just something about the vinyl front end that does it for me.
    However, I 'may' shortly be in a position to spend a bit on my system. So if I decided to upgrade from my Orbe etc set-up, what would people suggest? I've had an LP12 (which is where the Ekos came from), I've heard the Rega rp10 but would not switch to it.
    How much would a decent upgrade cost? Something from Avid maybe?
    Alternatively, would people suggest sticking with the Orbe but changing the arm ( to an SME V at a guess) or Phono Stage?
    All views appreciated!

  2. #2
    Join Date: Oct 2008

    Location: Glasgowshire

    Posts: 9,656
    I'm Gary.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Manicatel View Post
    This is quite speculative, but interested in other peoples views.
    Currently I have an Orbe/Ekos/Lyra Kleos, into an AR PH5 phono-stage.
    Now I really do love this combo. Although I also stream music via Tidal, there's just something about the vinyl front end that does it for me.
    However, I 'may' shortly be in a position to spend a bit on my system. So if I decided to upgrade from my Orbe etc set-up, what would people suggest? I've had an LP12 (which is where the Ekos came from), I've heard the Rega rp10 but would not switch to it.
    How much would a decent upgrade cost? Something from Avid maybe?
    Alternatively, would people suggest sticking with the Orbe but changing the arm ( to an SME V at a guess) or Phono Stage?
    All views appreciated!
    Hi mate.
    My decks a "Gorbe" (A Gyro with all the Orbe bits on it) and when I changed my Michell Technoarm to a SME V something quite special happened.
    There's a real magic using the V on the Michell platform, really brings out the best in the deck.

    At this level maybe diminishing returns kicks in?
    I think you could throw a large chunk of change for a small improvement, my thoughts are to make the best of what you have and stick a V on there.
    AC POWER
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    Wharfedale Evo 4.4
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    Pro-Ject X8 balanced output via XLR / Ortofon Quintet Blue cartridge
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    DIGITAL
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    INTERCONNECTS
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  3. #3
    Join Date: Jan 2009

    Location: Norwich

    Posts: 2,814
    I'm Hugo.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Manicatel View Post
    This is quite speculative, but interested in other peoples views.
    Currently I have an Orbe/Ekos/Lyra Kleos, into an AR PH5 phono-stage.
    Now I really do love this combo. Although I also stream music via Tidal, there's just something about the vinyl front end that does it for me.
    However, I 'may' shortly be in a position to spend a bit on my system. So if I decided to upgrade from my Orbe etc set-up, what would people suggest? I've had an LP12 (which is where the Ekos came from), I've heard the Rega rp10 but would not switch to it.
    How much would a decent upgrade cost? Something from Avid maybe?
    Alternatively, would people suggest sticking with the Orbe but changing the arm ( to an SME V at a guess) or Phono Stage?
    All views appreciated!
    What particular character/aspect of the current setup do you wish to improve on?

  4. #4
    Join Date: Oct 2015

    Location: Nr Coventry

    Posts: 142
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gazjam View Post
    Hi mate.
    My decks a "Gorbe" (A Gyro with all the Orbe bits on it) and when I changed my Michell Technoarm to a SME V something quite special happened.
    There's a real magic using the V on the Michell platform, really brings out the best in the deck.

    At this level maybe diminishing returns kicks in?
    I think you could throw a large chunk of change for a small improvement, my thoughts are to make the best of what you have and stick a V on there.
    I have an Orbe and the change from Origin Live Silver to SME IV was a massive upgrade.

  5. #5
    Join Date: Sep 2017

    Location: Chichester, West Sussex UK

    Posts: 368
    I'm John.

    Default

    For an arm only upgrade I would say either SME V or Origin Live Conqueror.
    However for TT and arm upgrade I would suggest you get a session with the new Origin Live Resolution mk4 (junk the std D200 motor for the D300) with optional balanced PSU & upgrade Sovereign platter, this will set you back around £4.7k (and give you 95% of the Sovereign performance with a saving of about £1,000 on the Sovereign price) .
    Then the sale of your current TT & arm should easily cover the cost of an OL Conqueror.

  6. #6
    Join Date: Sep 2012

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 542
    I'm mark.

    Default

    Try and listen to an SP10, Garrard or Thorens 124, very different presentation which you may like.

    Replacing an Orb with a more expensive suspended belt drive may be better and suit you, but I would explore other paths first.


    *Add Notts Analogue, mass decks offer different presentation.

  7. #7
    Join Date: Jun 2010

    Location: London, UK

    Posts: 391

    Default

    I had a AC Orbe with Audiomods arm but the step up when I changed to a SME 20/2 with a V arm was not small. There is one for sale I think on PFM for a fair price.
    Paul.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Apr 2009

    Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex

    Posts: 7,087
    I'm Dave.

    Default

    Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace or Dais. Job done.

  9. #9
    Join Date: Jan 2016

    Location: Shenfield

    Posts: 573
    I'm Slav.

    Default

    As long as your Orbe does speed right don't change it , spend as much as possible on arm and your cartridge ( if coming close to end ) then look into phonostage IMO

  10. #10
    Join Date: Feb 2017

    Location: Essex-Herts border

    Posts: 141
    I'm Matt.

    Default

    Thanks for the input guys.
    The swap to an SME V is a response I was expecting as a lot of people say it’s the classic arm for the Orbe & Michell used the V when designing the Orbe.
    I’ve not had experience of a SME V vs Ekos comparison & as most people use an ekos in a Linn based system, it’s not often a neutral comparison can be found.
    I’ve not heard the NA decks for quite a while & I’ve never heard an SME turntable.
    What areas am I looking to improve upon?........Nothing stands out as an annoying weakness with my current set up, but I am happy to accept that there are turntables which are definitively better than the Orbe. I couldn’t justify spending more on a disposable item, so the Kleos is top end of my cart list. I’ve only had it a short while, so hopefully it will give me a good few years of service.
    Any future spend would be a long term purchase & not a stepping stone.
    A different Phono Stage may be an option I guess, but again, I wouldn’t know where to go to definitively better my existing PH5.

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