I heartily recommend the Clearaudio table and Tracer arm. A few months ago I bought the Clearaudio Performance DC Wood tt with Tracer tone arm. I love it for its SQ, engineering and smooth operation.
Analog upgrade
Looking at upgrading analog components and seeking advice. Currently have rega planar 6 and rega aria phono stage. Considering clearaudio ovation or dc performance both with tracer tone arm. Also looking at moon 310 or 610 or Boulder 508. Budget is ~12-14k. Is it better to go up to the ovation with less expensive amp or take the dc performance with one of the higher end amps. Also interested in impressions of these amps and advice on cartridges for these tables. Thanks
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Dear @rauliruegas , please do quote me fully…..i don’t claim it is the ONLY excellent phono pre. I only auditioned 12 phono pre in selecting the Herron for my Condo winter system. I didn’t get a Simaudio in but will make some effort to hear one…now…… I am a n=30 Robot trapped in a low sample size Audiofool world Best to you ! Jim |
I would stick with your dealer. The services that a good dealer provides is as important as the equipment you buy from them. Personally I am a Clearaudio guy. Have been for the past 15 years and have never had the need to look elsewhere as far as the sound is concerned. Their equipment are superbly engineered and first rate after sales service. That should be important to you. Having said that you are lucky that your dealer also has Rega tables. If this was me I would first set aside a budget for the Cartridge. I have been using Lyra Delos with the Clearaudio with superb results. I am using Musical Fidelity Phono stage with vintage SUT into Musical Fidelity amplification. See what your dealer recommends for the phono stage. You will then know how much of your budget is left for the table. Take your own table to the audition session and listen to the highest Rega alongside the highest Clearaudio that you can afford. But also listen to the P6 that you currently have. The final decision should be a lot easier using this approach. Good luck and remember its the music that matters. If it does not sound $14K better then you should consider other options. |
@kerrybh , Whoa, slow down soldier. You send Donna (Sota) your arm and cartridge and they will put it all together for you. When you get it home it will be in three boxes. the main Chassis, the dust cover and the platter. To assemble it there are 4 screws that mount the dust cover. The platter you take out of the box and plop it down on the spindle after a few drops of oil. Then plug it in, level it and rock! And, don't use my name or they will never sell you anything:) |
Dear @kerrybh : SimAudio 610 is an excellent choice over Boulder and many other " big names ".
You can go for the Rega RP10. This is what M.Fremer said when he reviewed the SAT XD1 100K$$ turntable: "" The XD1 shares some sonic characteristics with Rega's revolutionary RP10 turntable: ultrafast, clean transients throughout the audible frequency range; tight, fast bass; revealing midrange transparency; and overall sonic stability and focus. The Rega tonearm is really good and better that any one can imagine.
Other good TT option is this one:
Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTION, R. |
No and frankly the options are limited by supply chain issues even within the lines he carries. I'm interested in the Sota-great reviews-but no nearby dealer and I'd be afraid to try to set it up on my own. I'm an old guy who thought 8 trac tapes were the pinnacle of technology-love the music-intimidated by the machines. |
@kerrybh Did the dealer compare other tables in that system for you? Not too many have enough in their stock of varying brands to allow for meaningful comparisons. I ask because IMHE, the clearaudios look great, but that's about it. I'm sure their fans will chime in with the other side of the story, but whether you lean towards Sota (like me & @mijostyn), Technics if DD is your cup of tea, or even VPI (top seller in the price class), MHO, you'll get more for your money. Cheers, Spencer |
Thanks for the replies. Very helpful. I've heard the Clearaudios at my dealer but obviously not with the same system has mine. I know there are many good options-maybe better-but I'm loyal to my dealer and will stay with him if its close. He was great i helping me put together my system (as he should be) and provides great service if any glitches arise. That's very important to me as I would be baffled. |
The Ovation is a lot of money for what you are getting and not as much of a leap over the Rega as you might think. You can get a Sota Sapphire and put a Kuzma 4 point 9 or a Schroder CB on it for not much more. You will have an isolated turntable and a much better arm. You can also get a really nice dust cover with the Sota. The Boulder is a fine phono stage I prefer the Channel D Lino C 3.0 which you can tailor to suit your needs but if you get heavy handed with the options the price can get up to $7000. It is a transimpedance phono stage like the BMC, Sutherland Loco and CH Precision. This allows you to get a lot of gain out of very low impedance MC cartridges and yet maintain an excellent signal to noise ratio. You also do not have to worry about loading the cartridge. You can add a voltage mode input and /or a moving magnet input if you want. Check out the reviews on the Lino C. |
@kerrybh have you listened to Clearaudio tables/arms? What about them makes you want to choose them? Cheers, Spencer |
@kerrybh - I have the previous version of the Moon 310 - i.e. he LP5.3 RS, and I have stopped looking any further. I did not go with the separate power supply, because I believed I could improve the sound quality by using a great power cable - and I was NOT disappointed. It also pays to use the very best interconnects also. For commercial products I recommend Zavfino, In-Akustik and Nordost. I use my own DIY cables built from scratch...... My Audio Alchemy (image99.net) Read what other members think of them here... https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/duelund-conversion-to-diy-helix-geometry-cabling The Moon products are very well made, extremely quiet and very neutral sounding (with the right cables) and the 610 would provide even better micro-details - but that’s too rich for my pocket book, even for such a stunning looking component Since you have a Rega, you might take a look at the Audiomods arms. They are basically "plug and play" on the Rega decks and will elevate the sound quality significantly Each arm is custom built to your requirements and can take 6-8 weeks to build. I had the Micro-VTA adjustment and the one piece harness options. I have the older Audiomods "Classic" model with the bead blast finish and love it ! Audiomods Tonearm | My Audio Alchemy (image99.net) I started my analogue journey back in 1981 with the Rega Planar II and have since upgraded everything, to the point where the only original parts left are the Plexiglass Cover and the ON/OFF switch Turntable Mod’s | My Audio Alchemy (image99.net) But my current choice of turntable i.e. if I were to replace it, would be the Music Hall MMF 9.3 or MMF 11.3, because they incorporate everything I have learned about good turntable and arm design at a "reasonable" price As far as cartridges go - i like the Sound-smith products
Hope that helps - Steve |
