2. analog
  3. 131765-86973

Clearaudio Innovation Wood or shoot for the stars Techdas AF 3

      I currently have a VPI Prime turntable with a Benz Micro LPS-MR cartridge and a Simuaudio 610 lp phono stage. I was about to upgrade to Clearaudio Innovation Wood with probably a Kuzma 4-point arm when my wife says that this better be my last turntable upgrade and she said I could spend more for as long as I never ( never probably means 5 years, I hope ) upgrade my turntable again. This got me looking at the new Techdas AF5 ( just launched at the recent Tokyo Audio Show). However my dealer prefers  of course the more expensive AF 3  with a Graham arm. Although, he can also do  Kuzma except I have to wait for an armboard as most Techdas armboards are already pre-drilled to fit Graham's. I have heard the Clearaudio extensively in a friends place with the Universal arm and Mysonic Lab Signature Gold and its sounds great but I have never heard the AF3's. Though I have heard the AF1 in another friends system which costs  probably 20 times mine and it sounded beyond this world ( at least for me). Hoping that the trickle down technology on the AF3 will get me 80%-90% of the sound of the AF1. 

    Now, the question is which table to get? Assuming home audition is not possible ( but of course I will try ). The cost of the AF3 will leave me broke ( to do anymore upgrades to my system) but hopefully happy and satisfied.  The technology on this thing alone makes me want to buy it. The awesome reviews help too. The Clearaudio also has good reviews. I've heard it, it also sounds wonderful and quite a few people here own them and  it leaves me wiggle room too to upgrade some other stuff ( ARC REf phono 3 perhaps or  an additional cartridge for different flavor ) . Though I noticed that owner's keep them for a few years ( from my back reading of threads ) but still upgrade to much higher priced turntables ( hence my hesitation ) as this is  sort of the "last table for life" kind of situation. 

     This a once in a lifetime deal ( because of the wife's blessing and the amount involved ). I don't think she'll give me another chance like this one .  Hoping your thoughts/inputs can point me to the right direction. Thanx.
      
PS. Please do not suggest other brands, due to availability and dealer relationships these are already my finalists, so let's limit the discussion to the 2 above mentioned turntables.
attymbb

Showing 8 responses by inna

inna
7,871 posts
 
Yes, cartridge and phono stage for certain. As for other components and cables/cords - I don't know.
I think, Ralph of Atma-Sphere was right when he once said that phono stage must be tube. Some will argue, of course, as always.
Which one? Well, at this level you try to match precisely both with the cartridge and the rest of the chain.
inna
7,871 posts
 
To return to purely audiophile land. On one hand, it might be right to have a turntable as the strongest link possible. On the other hand, it tempts you to upgrade everything else to match it.
As for other brands, the man said those two only, we should respect that and not suggest anything.
inna
7,871 posts
 
I may understand the logic. She wants to protect her husband from himself, and she might want to protect family finances as well.
inna
7,871 posts
 
It is possible that what you really want is the TechDas reference turntable that you heard at your friend's. But it is unreachable, ever.
Almost all of us, if we start comparing what we can have and what is available..
However, last table situation creates different state of mind. Whether you follow the wish or postpone is very personal. There might be no right or wrong, both might be right in different ways.
inna
7,871 posts
 
nkonor, 83 cds? I got 60 ! 
inna
7,871 posts
 
attymbb,
Unless the turntable itself represents a particularly high value to you, it is very likely that you will want to upgrade your entire set-up, probably more so if you get the better of those two tables. If this happens, you will throw yourself into the fire of the conflict.
But I understand the drive - I want Studer reel to reel deck ! Yes, I could get it now and then probably no upgrades whatsoever for at least five years. I decided to wait but some days I don't feel well because of it.
inna
7,871 posts
 
Attymbb,
You have a good system. I cannot be of much help since I haven't heard either of those tables. I suggest you contact member albertporter directly and ask for his advice, he might've auditioned both. 
Your wife didn't seem to actively object to possible future phono stage and cartridge upgrades, and cartridges wear out anyway.
If the TechDas is truly far superior than the Clearaudio, I would probably take a risk and go after it. But I would not do it without auditioning it, that's for sure.
inna
7,871 posts
 
This is tough. To choose maybe the last turntable. There is a sad finality to it. I do hope this is not really the case, only no turntable upgrade for a long time.
Could you list the rest of your system including cables and power management devices, so that we could see the whole set-up?
Generally speaking, my thinking is close to folkfreak's - about 50% spent on the table. But that's general.
You absolutely want to compare the tables in similar systems if you cannot do home audition with both. The dealers must understand. You might only need an hour or so, they could stay with you while you are at it. And you could offer to pay them for this. I would.
More to discover