@uwiikz,
Congratulations on your purchase. Would you mind confirming which Miyajima cartridge you were listening to?
Congratulations on your purchase. Would you mind confirming which Miyajima cartridge you were listening to?
The best TT system for under 30K
Hi agoners!
I have been floored by Kuzma Stabi XL DC with 4 points TA on a recent audition. It was extremely analog sounding, insane details with speed, beat and clarity that made me wonder if I am listening to a live concert, just can’t help my toe tapping. Was comparing the sound to the top of the line Accuphase CD player with the same rest of system and it was no contest.
Switching from Accuphase CD player to Kuzma XL DC was sounding like adding a pair of subwoofer and going up 2-3 levels on the rest of the system. Mind you the rest of the system was Accuphase E-650 class A integrated that should favor the Accuphase same brand CD player but that wasn’t the case. The speaker was Kerr Acoustics K300 under 10K entry level bookshelf and the sound of the entire entry level system armed with Kuzma XL DC beat the hell out of the entire super high end system the dealer has on the other listening room with Avalon PM3 speakers, Accuphase A-250 monos, Audionet Stern Preamp with Accuphase CD player.
However obviously I cannot afford the whole set of Kuzma XL DC considering I am also in the process of upgrading my existing system. What will be the closest contender in the US$30.000 retail price range that has the same sonic signature as Kuzma XL DC?
Thanks in advance for any advices!!
I have been floored by Kuzma Stabi XL DC with 4 points TA on a recent audition. It was extremely analog sounding, insane details with speed, beat and clarity that made me wonder if I am listening to a live concert, just can’t help my toe tapping. Was comparing the sound to the top of the line Accuphase CD player with the same rest of system and it was no contest.
Switching from Accuphase CD player to Kuzma XL DC was sounding like adding a pair of subwoofer and going up 2-3 levels on the rest of the system. Mind you the rest of the system was Accuphase E-650 class A integrated that should favor the Accuphase same brand CD player but that wasn’t the case. The speaker was Kerr Acoustics K300 under 10K entry level bookshelf and the sound of the entire entry level system armed with Kuzma XL DC beat the hell out of the entire super high end system the dealer has on the other listening room with Avalon PM3 speakers, Accuphase A-250 monos, Audionet Stern Preamp with Accuphase CD player.
However obviously I cannot afford the whole set of Kuzma XL DC considering I am also in the process of upgrading my existing system. What will be the closest contender in the US$30.000 retail price range that has the same sonic signature as Kuzma XL DC?
Thanks in advance for any advices!!
Showing 13 responses by lalitk
@whart Thank you for your very helpful feedback on Koetsu. They have been on my wish list along with Miyajima’s. I guess that’s what you get or should expect from a $11K cart. I have been enjoying Hana Umami Red for little over 3 months...it’s a well balanced cart that doesn’t draw much attention except make wonderful music. There are just way too many amazing choices in carts...just like my pack of M&M’s :-) |
@uwiikz, Ultrasonic cleaning machine are nice but expensive. Here is an alternative that doesn’t break the bank, I have been using it for past 4 months. Believe it or not, I actually enjoy my ‘involvement’ in the process :-) https://youtu.be/G6mFWdny_Pw https://www.musicdirect.com/cleaning-machines/pro-ject-vc-s2-alu-record-cleaning-machine |
@terry9 Thanks for the clarification. I follow the same ritual, every new LP gets cleaned and receive MoFi anti-static sleeve. I am only buying new vinyl, even in that I’m very selective as far as record label, pressing quality, collectors editions etc etc. For everything else, I stream my music. I am not pursuing Analog in hopes for building a basement full of LP’s. Been there done that with tapes and CD’s. Only the very best and rare pressings gets my hard earned money :-) |
@uwiikz, I am with terry9 on ‘don’t buy used cartridges’. You just never know how others have handled the cart. Being a newbie, you don’t want the headache if it is working or sound they way it should. If you’re going to be playing with carts, then I highly recommend couple of must have accessories, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076DFZDS4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ERPWAK2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://highend-electronics.com/products/nasotec-tweezers https://elusivedisc.com/vinyl-center-hole-reamer/ https://www.amazon.com/Last-Stylus-Cleaner-Stylast-Pkg/dp/B004XDTUS8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1ULTQI4R9GR51&a... https://www.amazon.com/KAIU-Vinyl-Record-Stylus-Cleaning/dp/B088M9Z2P3/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywo... And remember, no LP goes on spinning platter until it’s cleaned, even the new ones! Your investment in RCM shouldn’t be a afterthought. Welcome to world of analog 😊 |
“When you say to add subwoofer and to cut the K300 at 80hz high pass crossing, it means that I need to have an EQ/Cross such as Accuphase DG-68 correct? I have JL Audio F113 V2 as consideration.” @uwiikz, I would look into a pair of REL’s before you consider an external EQ and JL Audio sub. IMHO, REL’s does a far better job of ‘disappearing’ and gelling with your main speakers. And you don’t need any external EQ with them. https://rel.net/blog/2021/02/09/what-is-a-high-level-cable/?utm_campaign=2021-02-09_broadcast_conten... |