The weakest link?

Posted by zutroye (A) on July 22, 2012 at 11:38:42

I spoke to a salesman at a local stereo shop yesterday about my system, and asked him what he thought my weakest component is. Specifically, I asked: "Given $500, what should I add/ upgrade to get better sound out of my vinyl?"

I have what most on this forum would consider a lo-fi system:
Receiver: Onkyo TX-DS474. AV receiver, 55 watts/channel @8 ohms .08% THD
Built in phono stage: input sensitivity/impedence 2.5mV, 50kohms, phono overload, 110mV RMS @1kHz, .5% THD (I'm not sure what this means)

Turntable: Rega Planar 3
Cart: Grado blue

Speakers: Infinity Primus P162 (2-way bookshelf)

My listening room is 12' x 12'

My main complaint is that my vinyl playback lacks detail. Many pressings that should sound amazing leave me dissapointed. It's difficult to describe. I guess 'muddy' or lack of soundstage?

So, what do you guys think? I thought that the salesperson's analysis and recomendation was reasonable. I know it's a tough question to answer without actually listening, but, given this information, where would you put $500.00? What's my weakest link?

Thanks in advance

"Lost my shape - trying to act casual."

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Topic - The weakest link? - zutroye 11:38:42 07/22/12 (21)

Onkyo AVR phono sections - Macromusic 18:30:55 07/24/12 (1)

RE: Onkyo AVR phono sections - zutroye 20:07:58 07/24/12 (0)

RE: The weakest link? - zutroye 19:12:50 07/23/12 (4)

BTW - mark111 16:11:45 07/24/12 (0)

Cambridge phono is good for the money... - kuma 21:19:52 07/23/12 (2)

Agree (nt) - mark111 15:41:06 07/24/12 (0)

RE: Cambridge phono is good for the money... - 6bq5 12:06:11 07/24/12 (0)

Repair vs. upgrade? - CometCKO 13:53:35 07/23/12 (0)

RE: The weakest link? - jupiterboy 08:21:13 07/23/12 (0)

RE: The weakest link? - vinyl survivor 17:16:53 07/22/12 (0)

RE: The weakest link? - welly 16:15:28 07/22/12 (0)

RE: The weakest link? - Hi-Fidelity 15:26:52 07/22/12 (4)

RE: The weakest link? - zutroye 16:58:02 07/22/12 (3)

6 year old cartridge? - kuma 19:53:22 07/22/12 (2)

RE: 6 year old cartridge? - zutroye 20:43:05 07/22/12 (1)

If you allotted 500 bucks.... - kuma 21:41:38 07/22/12 (0)

Phono pre - mark111 14:30:07 07/22/12 (0)

RE: The weakest link? - Cuernavaca 14:09:13 07/22/12 (0)

I'm not an expert but - newdreams 12:19:59 07/22/12 (0)

RE: The weakest link? - musetap 12:04:36 07/22/12 (1)

RE: The weakest link? - zutroye 13:52:36 07/22/12 (0)

The weakest link?

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