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Pro-ject 12 xtension TT vs Meridian 808.2 CD player..and the winner is!

DISCLAIMER--This is my OPINION / IMPRESSION . I am just having some fun with this because I was so happy to be able to do it and it was an eye ( or ear ) opener for me. I never had a TT so I was surprised by the results.

Wow, this was really close.  Pro-ject 12 Xtension with Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation catridge  vs Meridian 808.2 Cd player

The TT...by a hair. They both sounded exceptional!  Almost identical.

 I had the same CD/LP running at the same time. Easy to do A/B comparison. Incredibly, I did not have to adjust the volume when I switched inputs. They sounded dynamically the same.

The judgement was not easy but after quite a while it became clear. Instead of attempting to explain why Vinyl came out on top I will give you this analogy:

Picture a beautiful shiny diamond in a case. Now picture the same beautiful shiny diamond in the same case ..resting on a velvet pad.

I went to Barnes and Nobles today. They had a great 20% off for members ( and I had coupons and gift cards.. I was fully armed! ). Plenty of 4.99 CD's with a vast variety compared to the limited amount of LP's priced all the way to $45

I came home with 6 LP's. That has got to mean something.  Happy Holidays everyone!!!

Test Equipment: martin-logan 13a,   audio research ref6,  krell duo 300,    parasound jc3+,   mit cabling

mike



mikepaul

Showing 3 responses by tablejockey

tablejockey
4,017 posts
 
No surprise...

Nice table and cart.
 
But I'm a biased record guy. I kinda regret passing on a deal  for a 12" Extension table. Have you ever considered plugging the table into a tubed phono? Maybe a little more magic? Subjective,naturally. Maybe a wee bit noisier, but IMO, worth it.
tablejockey
4,017 posts
 
"I never had a TT so I was surprised by the results."

Mikepaul-
You’ve started running out of the gate. Many here had more humble beginnings. Thats a heck of a "starter table"

"i would love to eventually have a tubed phono stage...any recommendation?"

I gave up recommending any gear, especially tube stuff. ARC naturally has great tubed phono stages. There's always listing here, on Agon. I would imagine you can't go wrong with one of those.

Once you ask for suggestions especially tube, many times it starts the silly SS vs tube debates.
tablejockey
4,017 posts
 
mikepaul-

we are  in the same generation. Your re-entry certainly isn't a compromise.

That being said, there's a certain vibe(maybe its just noise and distortion?) I've always preferred with the tube phono.

I have a now outdated Fosgate, plugged into a VPI Classic, which delivers enough of a "super table" Sonics just seem more convincing with an all tube system. Probably all in my head.
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