Gonna see if I can ask this question correctly:
A phono cartridge can change how a vinyl record sounds quite significantly. But if I have to choose between upgrading to a high end cartridge or to a high end stereo, which will make a more noticeable difference and how?
Now with CD’s, what would greatly alter the sound the most? The player or the stereo?
The speakers are also at play in this and even wires and all the pieces like pre-amps, etc. when I’m asking this question.
But what singular piece of equipment can effect how something sounds, and will it change from source to source (cd’s, vinyl, digital, etc.)?
Thats something that bothers me about vinyl. All the hype surrounding needle type, cartridges, arms ,turntables, preamps etc… if all of those make such a big difference in what you hear doesn’t that make vinyl a bad source? I mean Im never going to buy that $70k table with the $10k cartridge so might as well quit buying vinyl right? And if I can just play my music app lossless what would the person who invested thousands into a turntable and records say if it sounds as good?
It’s a type of sound and experience, it’s not a bad source, but it’s very coloured. It’s mastered in a different way as well, 70s records will sound dramatically different than the remastered versions on streaming services. You can get a decent table and cart for not that much money.
But do you understand what Im saying? Either our basic turntables all suck and vinyl is problematic OR the people spending thousands on crazy turntables are stupid. On some level I like the consistency of a high res music app.
Of course, lossless audio makes way more sense. And yes people spending thousands on turntables are kind of stupid, the return on investment goes down really quickly, but they’re still really nice machines.
I have a 60 euro vintage turntable and 200 euro cart, I much enjoy it.