Tier L · Anchored (listening philosophy, open architecture)
Costs appear only as signed percentages against each tier’s (unpublished) baseline; absolute prices are not shown.
Forward (source-first)
| Slot | Component |
|---|---|
| Cartridge | Ortofon MC Windfeld Ti |
| Step-up transformer | Audio Note AN-S3 |
| Tonearm | Rega RB Titanium |
| Turntable | Pro-Ject Debut Pro (with cart) |
| Phono stage | Rega Fono MM Mk5 |
| Preamplifier | NVA P50 MKII |
| Power amplifier | NVA S80 Stereo |
| Loudspeakers | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 |
| Chain cost vs tier baseline | 0.0% |
65.3
node quality
3.94
edge synergy (raw 3.94, 6 edges)
0.00
drive delta (sut-stepup)
power
architecture
Feasible; no blockers.
Architecture competition
| Architecture | Quality | Synergy | Cost vs baseline | Feasible | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| integrated | 65.6 | 3.10 | −0.3% | yes | |
| power | 65.3 | 3.94 | 0.0% | yes | ✓ |
| mono | 66.2 | 3.90 | −1.4% | yes |
Costs appear only as signed percentages against each tier’s (unpublished) baseline; absolute prices are not shown.
Aft (speaker-first)
| Slot | Component |
|---|---|
| Loudspeakers | Rogers LS3/5a Classic SE |
| Power amplifier | Rega Solis |
| Preamplifier | Quad Artera Pre |
| Phono stage | Leema Essentials MM/MC |
| Cartridge | Goldring Eroica HX MC |
| Tonearm | ProJect Tonearm 8.6 Carbon (Debut PRO) |
| Turntable | Pro-Ject Debut Pro (with cart) |
| Chain cost vs tier baseline | +0.5% |
66.9
node quality
5.54
edge synergy (raw 5.54, 6 edges)
0.00
drive delta (drive 2.85x)
power
architecture
Feasible; no blockers.
Architecture competition
| Architecture | Quality | Synergy | Cost vs baseline | Feasible | Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| integrated | 67.8 | 4.00 | −0.9% | yes | |
| power | 66.9 | 5.54 | +0.5% | yes | ✓ |
| mono | 67.3 | 5.19 | −1.5% | yes |