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Clearaudio Concept TT subpar sound quality

Hi all,

happy to have joined this great community and I hope you guys can help me.

I have a Concept turntable with concept arm and MM Clearaudio standard cartridge. The basic setup. It is connected to a Pro-Ject Phono Box E BT preamp that goes into a streaming hub (via a 3.5mm aux) and from there to my Buchardt A500 speakers. Lots of things the purists will not like but I am not a hardcore purist, so that’s ok.

My problem: the music coming out from the turntable is way worse than the same music being streamed from Spotify. So much that I am currently listening music only via Spotify. The sound from the turntable lacks in clarity and it seems to “saturate” the speakers.

I have verified the track force of the cartridge which is between 2 and 2.2 (depending where on the platter).

I am thinking the problem could be resolved with a better cartridge and phono preamp but would like to know what you guys think.

Thanks!!

agforte
agforte OP
10 posts
 

@sandstone thank you for your reply. You make a good point about the A/D conversion that should be done at the Buchardt’s hub instead of the low-end Pro-ject preamp. However, the only way I can test this is to buy a new preamp …

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,360 posts
 

connected to a Pro-Ject Phono Box E BT preamp that goes into a streaming hub (via a 3.5mm aux) and from there to my Buchardt A500 speakers. Lots of things the purists will not like.. 

We don't like it because there is a good chance it won't sound so great. Your TT is not the issue. The 3.5mm connector (and the components that require that connector) being a main suspect.

agforte OP
10 posts
 

Hi Russ, thank you for your comment. I am looking at the Hegel V10 phono preamp. I do hope that upgrading the preamp will make a substantial difference. What do you think of the standard Clearaudio MM cartridge?

sandstone
358 posts
 

"What do you think of the standard Clearaudio MM cartridge?"

Agforte,

The Concept MM  may be  in many ways an entry-level cart with limitations, but  "Lack of clarity"  and "over-saturation"  are not characteristics that describe this cart when properly set up.

You mention one parameter that you've tried to set (vtf) but nothing about checking the 7 or 8 other factors critical to a proper setup, beginning with leveling the platter that might explain why you are getting inconsistent VTF readings at different locations.  

There is quite a bit of info around the forums and online publications concerning your TT,  and in general how perform a proper basic TT setup.  The best, most expensive cartridge on the planet will sound like rubbish without it.  Suggest you stick with what you have and learn how to get the most from it before moving up.

You've set a very low bar of "as good as Spotify".  With a bit of research and practice, I have no doubt that you'll exceed it.  Good luck!

 

agforte OP
10 posts
 

Thank you for your kind words Sandstone, I do hope I will be able to solve this issue. BTW I did level the platter. The only thing I have not done is play with the anti-skate as it is rather tricky on this TT. I do hope that's not the culprit of the problem because modifying that would be out of my comfort zone.

Talking about the Concept TT, I would not buy it again... mostly because of all the settings being so hard to reach (except for the VTF, everything is at the bottom of the TT). Just my opinion.

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