I moved from an Emotion some time ago. Well-built and engineered turntable but I found it wasn’t involving and I just wasn’t using it. The Cambridge is better in that respect.Clearaudio Emotion >>> Technics SL1200GR.
On the basis of nothing but prejudice I was sceptical of tales of how good the Technics is. I decided to take a punt when it was still possible to pick them up for pennies shy of £1k. Best hifi decision I’ve made.
Upgraded the NAD integrated (C315BEE) in the desktop/study system to a Fosi V3 integrated, along with a Tube-P2 headphone amp, both from Amazon; much more compact, and well pleased with the sound. Got my QED 3-way tape switching unit out of retirement since the Fosi only has one input Also a pair of Sennheiser HD650 phones, because my Sennheiser HD430 and Beyer Dynamic DT330 MkII, both from the 1980s or so, aren't going to last forever
Not so much an upgrade, more of a reality check.
For me it was grabbing a tattyish pair of Arcam Two Plus speakers for £20 on fleabay to complete the rebuild of my 1st system.
On firing them up in system 2 (where the rest of my original kit resides) they made me realise what an absolute twat I'd been PX-ing my original Arcam Two Plus for a pair of Kef Cresta 3 back in 2001.
So good sounding that I bought a 2nd mint black pair to use in the main rig inplace of the 104ab that had replaced the ML Summits in my affections.
It was these medium sized 80s stand-mounts that have really driven my recent de-investment in much of my hifi chain, something which will continue until I've sold off the expensive but little used/unused elements (Bardo/12" Enterprise4 & Summits).
So true, I now alternate between the black Arcams and a pair of SF Toy Towers on the end of an Icon Audio ST40 in the main rig. The tatty pair are now a permanent fixture in system 2.Well done! I have trod a similar path, ultimately returning to older classic speakers designs.
When we choose to let our ears decide... they often surprise us!