Richard1969
Novice Member
Hi folks
My first post, but I hope to be as involved in the forum as much as my limited experience will allow.
To get started, a little advice please...
I have had a ProJect 2 TT for about four years now. I guess it's about ten years old. I haven't used in much so far but now it's the main source in my home office set up and it's getting 3-4 hours use each day. I listen to all kinds of music but mostly old jazz records. My preference for sound from these is smooth and warm, to put it simply.
The TT runs via a Cambridge Audio CP1 phono preamp (literally just got it an hour ago) into either a Denon UD-M30 micro system or a Pioneer A-300X amp into an old pair of Mission 77 speakers - I have other speakers, including some Musical Fidelity Kestrel SE floorstanders and try different pairs from time to time.
The stylus no doubt needs changing due to age. So my three options, with my thinking, are:
1. Just get a replacement 510 stylus for 50 quid and the fact that it's a brand new stylus will itself be a small 'upgrade' at good value. With my limited component quality, a more expensive upgrade won't make much difference.
2. Upgrade to a 520 stylus for £150 (as advised by a respected hi fi retailer) as I should notice a considerable improvement in sound.
3. Upgrade the cartridge - lots of choices and prices, and again should see a big improvement. (The retailer however suggested a stylus upgrade rather than a cartridge upgrade.)
So I guess the two schools of thought are 'your system is very limited, so just get a replacement 510 stylus until you upgrade amp and/or speakers' OR 'spend as much as you can on a new stylus/cartridge and get onto the amp/speakers when funds allow.
I'd greatly appreciate advice. Bottom line is, I'd hate to spend £150 on a stlyus/cartridge only to hear no real improvement due to limitations of the other components.
My first post, but I hope to be as involved in the forum as much as my limited experience will allow.
To get started, a little advice please...
I have had a ProJect 2 TT for about four years now. I guess it's about ten years old. I haven't used in much so far but now it's the main source in my home office set up and it's getting 3-4 hours use each day. I listen to all kinds of music but mostly old jazz records. My preference for sound from these is smooth and warm, to put it simply.
The TT runs via a Cambridge Audio CP1 phono preamp (literally just got it an hour ago) into either a Denon UD-M30 micro system or a Pioneer A-300X amp into an old pair of Mission 77 speakers - I have other speakers, including some Musical Fidelity Kestrel SE floorstanders and try different pairs from time to time.
The stylus no doubt needs changing due to age. So my three options, with my thinking, are:
1. Just get a replacement 510 stylus for 50 quid and the fact that it's a brand new stylus will itself be a small 'upgrade' at good value. With my limited component quality, a more expensive upgrade won't make much difference.
2. Upgrade to a 520 stylus for £150 (as advised by a respected hi fi retailer) as I should notice a considerable improvement in sound.
3. Upgrade the cartridge - lots of choices and prices, and again should see a big improvement. (The retailer however suggested a stylus upgrade rather than a cartridge upgrade.)
So I guess the two schools of thought are 'your system is very limited, so just get a replacement 510 stylus until you upgrade amp and/or speakers' OR 'spend as much as you can on a new stylus/cartridge and get onto the amp/speakers when funds allow.
I'd greatly appreciate advice. Bottom line is, I'd hate to spend £150 on a stlyus/cartridge only to hear no real improvement due to limitations of the other components.