Anyone contrast Transfiguration with Allaerts?


Has anyone auditioned both brands in their system? I'd appreciate any insight into the similarity/difference? Are they in the same league?
ebush

Showing 6 responses by ebush

Raul, What characteristics of the Ruby do you think would work better for me than the Allaerts MC1B, which is the only Allaerts I could consider, again assuming that I can match either correctly with arm and impedance? Also do you suggest the Ebony L to not fit the same catagory?
Ed
Charlie, what impedance do you load the MC1B and is it step-up or active?
Do you get a full lower mid with your Allaerts?
Larry, Thanks so much for your insights. My currrent is a Benz Glider II low which I consider to be very neutral, nice balance top to bottom, musical and grainless although more shallow and not as resolving as top shelf carts.
I sit VERY close to my speakers which are highly modded Scientific Fidelity Teslas so have to be careful about "forward" or bright. The Glider has been great. Just looking to "evolve" without doing the classic neurotic audiophile thing by ruining a great synergistic sound by "improving" a component. Would you consider the Phoenix to not "push you back" with midrange but rather allow "listening into the depth".....or not?
My electronics are definitely up to the task of handling a "higher end" cartridge.
The preamp is a $5k custom designed all tube unit with "tele's", Mullards and other very old nos. The power amp is a class A triode 300B push pull that is really quite extraordinary. Arm is a Moerch DP6 on a Merrill Heriloom. I believe the Glider works because it is matching the built in Jensen 347 step-up trannie perfectly as well as the arm. I have had a high output Glider sounding like you have experienced but switching to a low is REALLY very good now and my system is very neutral. Sitting as close as I do, brightness would drive me crazy. I have tried an Allaerts MC1B and it was as superb as has been noted except for a degree of thinness in the midbass/lower mids. I think that my step-up at 80 ohms is suspect as others have actually reported that 40 ohms is perfect in a step-up although 100 ohms for active is spec. My armtube is also suspect as a heavier tube has been recommended. Do any of you have recommendations on step-up trannie impedance for the MC1B?
Yes, each of us has our own "filters". I need neutrality, grainless (low distortion) without rolling the top to get it. and great phase and harmonic integrity. My sense it that the Allaerts will deliver the depth and resolution to add to what I already have. I just need to match the cartridge and look for other's experience in best match for step-up load, non-step up active load, and effective arm mass. Any help here will be greatly appreciated. I also wonder about the Benz Ebony L which seems to aim at the same characteristics.
Ed