If we are asking about next upgrades…
I have Kore, Ekos, L4, Karousel and Krystal feeding a Superline. I now also have the SRM base (modest but definite improvement on a wall shelf) - see above.
Next year, I’ll need to replace the Krystal, which has done heroically to be sounding good after what must be 1500 hours+.
I could get a new Krystal, but (as suggested on another thread) will be prepared to spend a bit more if I can hear an actual uplift (not just a difference in presentation). As well as the Kendo that almost no-one has heard, that brings in a couple more Lyra and Dynavector choices, but it still sounds simple - just have a listen to perhaps 4 cartridges.
Unfortunately, reading here and on the PFM site suggests another option or two.
I could swap Kore for Theo Stack’s Alto sub-chassis for little net cost , or the Soprano version for rather more (but still vastly less than a Keel).
Or I could get a new top plate - Stack make a sensible-looking Alto option, but I think few have heard it. However, both Khan and Karmen options seem very well regarded - few if any seem to have heard them and not thought them a big improvement, and (if I have understood the website comment) Peter Swain’s view that both work better than current standard and that the Karmen’s extra price looks about right for SQ per £.
So, do I (a) change just the cartridge to a sharply better one, or (b) spend a bit less on the cartridge but also swap sub-chassis, or (c) stick to the same level of cartridge I have now and go for a specialist top-plate?
If anyone does recommend that Stack top plate, is there any reason why I would particularly benefit from also having their sub-chassis, or can I treat the 2 questions as separate?
‘Source-first’ would suggest spending the money before the cartridge, but only of course if those third party upgrades are real…
If it works better, I won’t mind having a Frankendeck, as I don’t care about its eBay value.