Best upgrade proceedure?

Hi All,

I've contacted John C and apparently it's possible to borrow both the Reflex M and Accession M at the same time through the loan scheme which is great since the phono stage is a critical piece in my vinyl-only system and I really think one of those two will be what I end up with.

I'm currently upgrading my entire system, but not really in small-step increments, I'm replacing components of sub-£1000 cost to those above £3000. I'm not yet very far down this road (only an Origin Live Resolution has replaced my rather aged Rega P25 so far).

So the issue I face is of the 'weakest link' variety, I realise cost is only a vague indicator of performance but I don't want to evaluate the Reflex and Accession if an as yet upgraded component is incapable of showing me the differences i.e. I don't want to discount the Accession at this stage and miss out on hearing it's full potential further down the line once my system has caught up with it.

I'm not sure there's a perfect solution to this, but I'd love to hear ideas on best course of action.

If it helps, my system as it stands - Origin Live Resolution, Rega fono MM, Naim nait 5i, epos M12.2, Slee solo, Cusat-50 and atlas explorer interconnects

A mate of mine  just up graded his turntable to Pro-j--t costing him over 2 grand and he has the Reflex M (He got it after I let him borrow mine) and he said that he thought that it could handle a turntable costing a hell of lot more, He also had it fitted with a Ortofon 2M black cart. But as you are going to loan both (I take it) I would wait till you get the chance to hear them both for your self in your system to see  which you prefer as it's you that is spending the money, not us on this forum. IF IT SOUNDS GOOD TO YOU THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

I have both the Reflex M and the Accession. I got the Reflex first after a home loan as it was so much better than my Rega Fono. However I run 2 TT's, so I wanted a 2nd GSP as the Reflex was so good. I seriously contemplated getting another Reflex, but after discussing with the distributor here in Australia, I decided that for the proportional increase in cost I should just get the Accession.

I'm not sure my system is revealing enough to really tell the difference between the two, although the Accession is perhaps in my system just a bit more balanced but there is not much in it, and having the different RIAA eq and mono switch make it a bit more versatile.

The thing is for a relatively small increase in my initial investment I know that if I upgrade in the future the phono stages will be more than capable.

Definitely listen to both in your system but if you can't notice a difference, my suggestion is to get the best you can afford at the time as when you upgrade you would then reap the benefits.

That is something I need to try. The Accession direct into my new amp. The problem is, every time it comes back, someone wants to borrow it, so off it goes for another few weeks.