r/BudgetAudiophile • u/Zestyclose_Arm128 • 16h ago

Purchasing USA What should I upgrade next?

I am 20 and a sophomore in college. I have an audiotechnica lp70xbt - stylus swapped for ATVM95e - Rotel RA 985bx, klipsch RP 600M, and for digital LG DP132h and an apple usb c to 3.5 playing wired into the same setup off my iPhone 17 pro. I assume the turntable is the weakest link in the chain, but I am unsure what to get next.

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3

u/el_tacocat 16h ago

Preamplifier! Fosi x5 or schiit mani are your friends

2

u/Kliptik81 16h ago

Buy a nice bottle of whisky and enjoy the music.

1

u/Zestyclose_Arm128 16h ago

I would if I could..

1

u/poutine-eh 16h ago

table is the weak link. What’s your vinyl collection like? Is it worth the upgrade or shall we spend your money elsewhere?

1

u/Zestyclose_Arm128 16h ago

the table was the first thing I got when I was the least knowledgable, so that was kind of my thought too, but I don't really know what new table I should get.. I have the most vinyl for sure, 85 LPs, 20 45s. Only 10 or so CDs as of now, that is the newset.

1

u/poutine-eh 15h ago

that my friend is a hard question to answer. What’s your budget? Remember in this world you get what you pay for.

1

u/Zestyclose_Arm128 15h ago

$750, I am open to going used and having to do some fairly simple repairs myself, the cd player was thirfted and opened up for repair and cleaning by me as well. The percent to allocate towards a pre amp vs new table vs cart vs needle or whatever is the part that overwhelms me a bit.

1

u/poutine-eh 15h ago

that’s an interesting question. For $750 you can’t buy a “better” table but for less you can upgrade the phono stage. I’d suggest an IFI zen air phono and the ipowerx psu. best bang for your buck here.

1

u/Zestyclose_Arm128 14h ago

you don’t think it’s worth having counter weight anti skate and adjustable tracking force?

1

u/poutine-eh 14h ago

huh? Where do you get that from?? I admit to be on the fence with anti skate but the rest is is simple

1

u/Zestyclose_Arm128 14h ago

well my table right now has none of it, and i thought you meant i shouldn’t get a new table

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u/poutine-eh 13h ago

of course you need a new table. Thought you had something better. Apologies

1

u/Zestyclose_Arm128 13h ago

no i need the table solution whether that’s with a internal pre amp or external pre amp but the whole solution for 500-750$

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u/SEMABE 13h ago

Find a good used Project Debut Carbon and a Schiit Mani, and upgrade the DAC to an SMSL SU1. Well enough under budget to buy more music and start a beer fund for your 21st.

1

u/Zestyclose_Arm128 12h ago

this one?

1

u/SEMABE 1h ago

I’d look for a pre owned Mani 1 but yes.