Synergy

@mijostyn 

Thanks for the suggestions.

 I will investigate.

I got a very good trade-in deal with my Virtuoso, so the Charisma would be more than twice the price.

Since the Clearaudio cartridge broke in I’ve been listening to nothing but records. My system never sounded so good.

Thank you.

I’ve finally got the instrument (cartridge) to tackle my huge collection of LP’s.

I’m discovering an interesting phenomenon with my new setup.   
Years ago when I heard the same records as I’m listening to now I was very involved with the music.  As my set got  better and better, I enjoyed them less and less. Is it possible that with improved analog technology more and more flaws were revealed along with improved sound.  Now that I have a really good cartridge the sound is great but with those flaws removed, so I can again appreciate the music.
 

Just postulating a possibility.

@pindac 

Very interesting!

Although I find the Clearaudio cart to be superior to the Hanna in many ways,
I do find it a little bright and somewhat lacking in mellowness.
Can someone suggest a cart that would meet that criteria. It’s probably unrealistic but Im looking for something in the $1000-$1500 price range.

@pindac @rauliruegas @tomic601

Thanks so much for your suggestions.

i think I might  have been a little premature in my evaluation.  Most things really sound good.  Maybe being too compulsive!

I’m probably switching to the the Clearaudio Maestro cartridge.   
 

@avanti1960 

I know the Hana is very highly regarded.  I think that I might have messed up the original setup by the technician, causing a drop in performance.

@mijostyn 

The SoundSmith sounds very good. However I’m a little concerned about the low output.  I know I can boost it with my phon, but  I think I would prefer a higher output.

I think my problem is that I listen predominantly to orchestral music. 
‘Almost everything else sounds wonderful to me.  It’s the sound of those massed strings that are hard to reproduce.  I wouldn’t be so compulsive if I listened mainly to jazz, folk or rock.  They’re no problem. .I’d be a very happy camper.  
I have to suspend disbelief when I listen to an orchestra.  VERY few recordings capture the true sound of an orchestra. It’s almost a vainless pursuit!

The reason I’m leaning towards the Maestro is that basically I like Clearaudio sound.   I just want a less bright presentation which the Maestro seems to provide.

I just ordered it.

Thanks for the confirmation.

I really think I have a logical solution to my problem.

Simple solution: Play ONLY records that sound good.  ‘
In classical that’s very hard.  A lot of great performances have mediocre sound. 
I would have to relinquish my audiophile label and just listen to the performance.

I don’t know if I can do that

Get a room! 🙂

Since I switched cartridges from the Hana ML to the Clearaudio Virtuoso I’ve been playing records almost exclusively. Previously I streamed most of the time. I don’t know if analog sounds better but I’ve become hooked on it.  I must say it’s very frustrating.  Half the records I play.sound like crap but the other half are wonderful.  Digital is far more consistent sonically but records hold a certain fascination.
Now I can’t wait till the Maestro arrives.