Spend a little more on a preamp than you think (better than Pluto) . Cheaping out on that and you’re going to give back a lot of the quality of a table/cart upgrade.
Needles & Grooves
Corycm
kvetcha
You need the phono pre-amp. Aim for a Schiit Mani at the bare minimum.
Joe Mac
With the budget you have I’d be looking more towards the fluance rt85 than a u-turn, it’s a good table for $500.
Joe Mac
If you’ve a preamp built into the speakers and you’re already using it you don’t “need” a preamp off the bat and I’d spend then money on the best table possible. You’ll get a jump in sound. I’d then start a new savings pot again towards a new phono stage and do it properly because I do agree that they make a huge difference.
kvetcha
Oh, I see now that the R-15PM has both a phono stage and amplifier. In that case, I agree with @Joe Mac. Get the best table you can for the price and upgrade the phono after.
The Fluance is a very good table, though it was pointed out to me that the cartridge is actually badly matched to the tone arm.
The Fluance is a very good table, though it was pointed out to me that the cartridge is actually badly matched to the tone arm.