My system - What to upgrade first ?

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Hi all, and happy new year !

Please forgive the newbie questions, but I am still discovering the wonderful world of vinyl music...

First of all, the gear I use, from the needle to the ear :
- Audio Technica AT95E (advised on this thread)
- Technics SL 3200 with native tonearm
- Vivanco PA111 preamp
- Harman Kardon AVR 500 amp
- Philips speakers (basic ones, no reference on them)

Changing the cartridge improved the quality of the sound substantially, but I still want it to get better, and I don't have the budget to get an optimal system all at once. So I wonder which part of my gear I should replace first.

A few comments to help you help me
- My TV sound travels through the same amp and speakers, and is nice in my opinion, without being great.
- On most of my records (for example Pink Floyd The Dark Side Of The Moon, The Clash London Calling, etc.), the voices sound a little less loud than the rest of the music.
- On my latest purchase (Motörhead No Sleep 'til Hammersmith), the sound is all "blurry" (low voices and guitars, over-present drums...), although the comments on the internet seem to be okay with the quality of this record.

So, do you have any advice regarding all this ?
Many thanks in advance !

[Dr Pan K]

speakers asap.

if u provide a budget we can make some suggestions

[youngdand]

agreed, speakers first then phono preamp.

Need not be too expensive. A nad PP2 will set you back 30 - 40 euros maximum, and there are plenty of speakers for around the same that would be a decent upgrade if sought out properly. if you can stretch to 120 euros + shipping you can have a set of Bowers & Wilkins DM4's a very respectable full range speaker.

[jtore]

IMO the Vivanco goes first.
If the TV is 'OK', better than TT, with same amp and speakers, you'll get the first improvement by changing the preamp.
Then, when you 'know' your system better, you'll think about speakers.

Cambridge Audio 540p or 640p are good to start with.

if u provide a budget we can make some suggestions

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Wow thanks for the quick answers !

For the speakers, I was going to say that my upper limit would be 200€ / $260, but it's great if I can have something decent for less than that !

The preamp is indeed a cheap one, so thanks for the suggestion ! Is the difference between the 540p and 640p worth the price difference ?

[jtore]

The preamp is indeed a cheap one, so thanks for the suggestion ! Is the difference between the 540p and 640p worth the price difference ?

Depends on the price delta... looks like in Pounds is worth it, I went for the 540p; I don't have MC carts and the budget is tight, costed half of the 640p.

[Dr Pan K]

this little speaker will blow y ears.

http://www.stereophile.com/content/pion ... oudspeaker

i dont like the mag, just pointing the product.

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These speakers look great !
Unfortunately, it seems I can't buy them in France... Maybe the line was discontinued...

[Dr Pan K]

it is a relatively new product, contact the local pioneer importer.

another tip would be to check the used equip in france. triangle (though a bit bright sounding) or maybe epos.

[jtore]

In Italy are not in the catalogue as well.

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After further thinking (and I'm quite dumb not to have thought of that in the first place), I realized that my speakers are not the problem : I listen to MP3's stored on my computer through my TV => amplifier => speakers and the sound is really decent.
So I guess I will first change the preamp, the speakers will follow later.

Just a last question about that : could it be possible that the problem would be caused by the turntable itself ? It is rather old, and I have replaced no part of it (except for the cartridge / needle)...

[jtore]

Just a last question about that : could it be possible that the problem would be caused by the turntable itself ? It is rather old, and I have replaced no part of it (except for the cartridge / needle)...

You will know only once you changed the Vivanco...

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I ordered the Cambridge 540p, I will let you know if this improves my sound !
Thanks for your help !

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Well I couldn't wait so I got the 540p today. The sound is better now, but still a bit messy (voices less loud, "blurry" guitars, etc.). So I think I am going to change the speakers in a while.

Do you have any advice regarding this ?
The B&W DM4 and the Pioneer BS41 seem fine, but they are either out of production or not produced at all in France
I would like to spend no more than 250-300€ for both speakers, do you think I can get something decent in this price range ?

Still I can't figure out why the quality of the sound is better when it comes from my TV than from my turntable (the turntable is not the problem I think, because the sound is very very good when I put my headphones on)...

Well, thanks again for your help, anyway !!!