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Clearaudio Emotion CMB or JA Michell TecnoDec?

Hello,

I plan on doing a trade-in deal with my local shop to upgrade my TT. I've narrowed my options to the Clearaudio Emotion CMB Combo (which comes with a Clearudio Maestro cart) or a JA Michell TecnoDec with a Grado Sonata cart.

Which would you recommend? I'd like to slowly upgrade the table in the future (cart, arm, tweaks, whatever), so please consider that factor.

Thanks for your help!
cstpeter
applebook
13 posts
 
A little retraction on the idea that the Marantz cannot be upgraded with CMB. Since Clearaudio offers a 30mm version of the CMB (for the Solution model), theoretically, the CMB should work also with the Marantz, but at $750, you have to decide for yourself if you want to try it.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
Or instead you move up to the Clearaudio Performance Table combo..once again spend as much as you can on the initial table because upgrades are more expensive. Otherwise a Champion Series Clearaudio Table lets you do all sorts of upgrades.
applebook
13 posts
 
The stock Performance is a solid deal because it comes with a nice cartridge, but it cannot be upgraded either.

If you want something that has tremendous upgradeability, you need to get the Solution or the Champion model. The Solution is $3K without cartridge, while the Performance is $2.8K with the same MM as the Marantz.

Has the Champion model been discontinued?
cstpeter OP
1 posts
 
Thanks for the replies.

Based upon Cytocycle's first reply I went ahead and ordered the Emotion CMB Combo. Should be here early next week. My audio dealer gives me 6 months of full-trade in if I want to upgrade from there.

Can't wait to hear it! I'm hoping for a big upgrade from my Pro-Ject Xpression (first gen.) and Sumiko Blue Point No. 2.

Thanks again.
applebook
13 posts
 
Congrats, Peter. The Emotion has tremendous bass, a smooth mid-range, and nice, extended highs. I think that the Maestro MM package is a terrific deal. Before hearing the Maestro, I didn't really believe that a sub-$2K complete TT system could have such dynamics and weight.
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