Which one to upgrade: cart. or phono stage?

[Iceman16]

which model of Jelco it is ?
Your cartridge should be good for another 300 hours before it starts exhibiting some level of distortion , why not try existing phonostage and cartridge on new turntable , spend some time setting it up and see what you don't like about

I think its the Jelco SA 250

[mac72]

Jelco SA 250 has effective mass of 18g if I'm correct , your Quintet Black weights 9g and has compliance 15 x10-6 - you are going to be slightly below 8Hz resonance - not ideal but I'd try if works if doesn't look for cartridge with compliance not higher than 10x10-6 and leave phonostage upgrade for later

[Iceman16]

Jelco SA 250 has effective mass of 18g if I'm correct , your Quintet Black weights 9g and has compliance 15 x10-6 - you are going to be slightly below 8Hz resonance - not ideal but I'd try if works if doesn't look for cartridge with compliance not higher than 10x10-6 and leave phonostage upgrade for later

The one on its way is like this.

https://www.classaaudio.com.au/produ...turntable.html

[mac72]

TR800 S is a modified Jelco tonearm but I have no idea about it's effective mass , if you have test record you could check yourself if not ask Transrotor

[mac72]

Nice turntable btw

[mac72]

If you decide to buy new cartridge I'd look at ZYX R50 Bloom , same compliance but much lighter body , should work fine with your tonearm . don't cost a fortune and sounds very good but bit different sound signature then your Ortofon

[Iceman16]

Nice turntable btw

Thanks Slav. I may put a budget for a phono stage around £1k (new or s/h). Im not a techie guy so diy is a no for me. I have a few in mind like: Tom Evans microgroove+ x/ Pathos in the groove/ Gold Note PH10/ Vertere phono1

[mac72]

Definitely S/H , I'd add Whest , Tron , Trilogy also Graham Slee - register on their forum and you could get home loan of Accession MC .
1k is sort of bit too much and at the same time not enough , there is lots of good second hand phonostages in 1.5k mark , try if your Quintet works before you spend any money .

[Firebottle]

at least you're funny

I love how you are so disbelieving.

I have been designing valve phono stages for the last 7 years so I know a bit about performance.
My design incorporates unique design factors. Retail prices include a lot of marketing and manufacturing overheads.

If you choose not to believe me it's your loss. I'm not exaggerating.

Addendum.
It will bear all this lot, Whest , Tron , Trilogy also Graham Slee

[mac72]

I just mention couple phonostages I own/owned - Paradise and Aurorasound Vida and straight away your 4k mark theory is a bit laughable - say no more .
And yes you're exaggerating every time you "upgrade" something , no offence .