What phono pre was used in that system?
Will I Hear A Difference?
Currently I’m using an Orbit U-Turn Turntable with an Ortofon Super OM20 Cartridge/stylus that I’ve had for approx 3 years. First utilizing it’s OM5 that it shipped with, then upped to an Super OM10, then about a year ago upped to the Super OM 20…Playback is through a Ifi Zen Phono Preamp running to a Carver Crimson 275 and playing out through Magnepan.7’s …Generally it sounds pretty good.
Recently while at a local hifi dealer I got to play around with an EAT B Sharp Turntable equipped with an Ortofon Blue on the same set of .7 Maggi’s I have and it sounded great. I loved the tonearm and the build quality.
My question is will I hear a enough difference to warrant spending the money for the upgrade. Mind you, I’ve become quite the power user at this point playing vinyl for pretty much most of my listening, often more than several hours a day.
The Orbit has served me well but at this point I feel I’m ready for the upgrade, I know i’ll feel the build quality difference, just not sure if I’ll hear a diffrence.
Anybody have any thoughts or experiences with the EAT B Sharp they could share?
Thanks
35 responses Add your response
@flasd , that is a question only you can answer. It will probably sound a little different. Better or worse is for you to decide. |
Yes, understood only I could truly make that call … was just curious what other users may have experienced using the EAT B Sharp. Keep in mind I heard it on a set up similar to mine, but in a pretty nicely set up sound room, so any insight from EAT Turntable users on their experiences once shifting over to EAT Turntable would be helpful. |
You are at the beginning of your analog journey and it's natural to seek out other peoples' opinions to help you feel more secure in your choice. My advice is this - you are obviously working with a local dealer, which is a great idea, especially in the beginning. Bring your U-Turn in and demo it directly against the EAT. I've had the benefit of some great demos, where we A/B's speakers, electronics and cables in the same systems and there was no doubt in my mind which items I liked better. The internet is great for audio buying in some ways, but IMO, there is nothing better than a real A/B live demo to make an informed decision. Take advantage of your dealer's services. |
I'd say yes, you will hear a difference. You are not on just beginning "your analog journey". You are also at the beginning of the line with the table & phono preamp. Just looking at price alone shows the EAT @ 3 times the price of the most expensive UTurn table. No, price is not conclusive evidence. But it is a fairly good indicator. But the EAT or any other tab;le will need a better phono preamp, which is as important as the TT itself. A better phono pre will also benefit your U Turn IF you wanted to start there. Read user & pro reviews of the EAT. Also the phono pre IF you go that route first. IOW do your homework. You will be rewarded. |
@flasd I was asking about the phono pre used in the system with EAT table. I’m with @ihcho on cartridge and phono pre upgrade. That’s where you’ll reap most benefits. Even a phono preamp upgrade alone will take it to a completely new level unless there are some inherent problems with the U-Turn. Go for the best phono pre you can afford. |
Yes you will hear massive improvement going from your $500 rig to $3k. Like night and day. But then even bigger improvement going from your budget phono stage to something much better. https://www.decware.com/newsite/ZP3.htm This front end will be so much better than what you have now you will not believe. One thing I always tell people with turntables, because everyone gets hung up on sound quality they hardly ever mention it, is you actually use these things. Everything else you just push a button, turn a knob. Turntables you handle. The pleasure and satisfaction you get just looking at and handling it is priceless. Also a good one tends to be a keeper. My last one was 17 years. This is huge. Because you could do the phono stage first, but then only get the ear candy. Do the turntable first though and you get the ear candy and the eye candy and something you enjoy handling as well. The one thing you are worried about, will it sound better enough to be worth it, is a given.
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As much as I like Decware products, they are made out of unobtanium now. I understand the situation Steve is faced with having several hundred on the waiting list, but I have emailed twice in two weeks asking to be put on the list with no response. If they are taking no new orders for the time being, they could at least respond and say so. Highly disappointing…. |
Early last year I was thinking maybe this will be the year I finally reward myself with a new 911. Within seconds I discover their allocations sold out for the rest of the model year. In March. I could go on and on with examples. If by now after 2 years you don’t understand the world financial systems and supply chains are messed up, if after all that you still want to heap the blame for all that on one person or another, or second-guess experienced successful businessmen, probably no point any more trying to educate. I’m looking at the ZMA and if it gets to the point I order I will click the site and wait my turn and not whine about it- and certainly not say or do anything to tarnish the rep of any of the very rare audio gurus like Steve, without whom we would not just be waiting, we would have nothing- or almost as bad, be priced out of the market. |
Whining? Tarnishing? Are you serious? I said I completely understand Steve’s backlog of orders. Is it tarnishing to expect an answer to an inquiry? I asked how much I should put down for a deposit and wanted to be added to the list. Crickets. You’ve forgotten that this isn’t my first rodeo and I’ve been at this at least as long as you have. |
I ordered a Decware Zen TORII MkIV last January 11th and just picked up my New upgraded Zen TORII MkV on November 20th and let me tell you it was worth the time spent waiting, this amp sounds so clear and uncluttered that I'm glad I waited for the newer upgraded amp. Some things are just worth the wait and this new Decware amp is one of those things. All you have to do is call between 10am and 3pm central time and talk to Sarah she will take your order and you will be on your way to tube bliss, by the way they are catching up on their orders faster now, so this would be a good time to order. if you are near the Chicago area just PM me and we can arrange a listening session. |
A few things that may be worth a try before dumping the U-turn… 1. A record weight. If one is not already in use. Easy upgrade. 2. Perhaps try the Super OM 30 or 40 stylus. If memory serves, all of the Ortofon Super cartridges have the same engine. Easy upgrade. 3. If your Orbit has the mdf platter , it may be worth considering the upgrade to the heavier acrylic platter. Easy upgrade. |
The pettiness & snipping is getting to be something else around here. Given everything we have heard about supply chain shortages (hell there are prescriptions I need that I can not get), why take aim at anyone or anything? In any event, please see below what I received from Decware regarding order status. @Ozzy62, et al, hope it helps. ********** If you ordered electronics from us, we have a real-time status list that can be found here:
Quality Control - Your item is now in quality control. |
@flasd - yes, you are going to hear a big difference. How could you not hear a big difference given the two very different turntables & associated equipment that was in use? Two questions (at least) - Is the difference worth what you are about to set in motion? Specifically, an entry level rig to a rig & peripherals that will run you several thousand. - Is the EAT the turntable for you in the end? I view EATs as the next level up from Pro-ject TTs, and that is because of the same family ownership of both brands. I wouldn’t jump on the EAT right away. I would probably try a new cartridge like the Ortofon Blue. It is that good a cartridge, especially given your set-up. What I would spend time with is looking at different makes of TTs and find what you really like & want in a TT. Miller Carbon is correct as the TT is more than just a component. If you hit it right, you will keep it a very long time. I went through something similar myself about 6 years back, when I started with a Stanton 150 TT and went through a few purchases before I landed on the new series Technics 1210. Many cartridges along the way, as well. In my above post, I am on the list for a Decware phono preamp. A key feature for me is bayonet cartridge head-shells, so I can try different cartridges easily. A Project or EAT arm would not work for me. I also like Direct Drive TTs. Once I mentally accepted the cost involved in getting a good DD turntable and pulled the trigger, I stopped shopping. Good luck, Rich |
@rar1 thanks for the input… currently I’m using a Super OM20 which by all accounts is a better cart / stylus than the Ortofon Blue so going to a blue may be a down grade, I am happy with the Super OM20, I figured once the Blue goes on the EAT or I get tired of it I’d then either throw the Super OM20 on the EAT or replace the Blue’s Stylus with a Bronze Stylus, of course that would be down the road a bit. I am considering a Clearaudio Concept as well though. As you mentioned, I’m researching and reading up on everything turntable… |
Get a map and then read up on the last 80 years of history. There is no Czechoslovakia these days. There are the Czech Republic and Slovenia, two countries. Slovenia is a member of NATO. Ukraine is a huge independent country to the east of Slovenia that has ongoing problems with Russia. Furthermore, EAT turntables are made in Austria, according to their website. |
You are on the wrong track if you are listening to those telling you to upgrade the cartridge. Putting a $300 cart on a $300 TT running through a $200 phono pre is wrong headed. But it’s your $$$. Education costs $$$. $300 won’t buy much education in college. But you will learn. Then you will be back asking the same question in 3-6 months But that $300 will be gone. But it’s just $$$. Probably one of the hardest things to accomplish in life is to learn NOT to spend ten cents trying to save a nickel. |
flasd: To respond directly to your question about the EAT b-sharp, I will first say that all that glitters is not gold. I do NOT have first hand experience with the b but I DO have first hand experience with the C-Major. I hope that my experience is close enough to help. I'm sure by now you know the history of the EAT brand. In my estimation EAT turntables are Pro-Jects with a woman's touch, which ain't always a bad thing but here it is. It actually sounded pretty good and had decent reviews. Unfortunately that's where it ended. My first issue is that EAT's are not accurate. I constantly had to check and adjust the tracking, it simply would not stay where I set it. Also the C-Major has a wonky anti-skate adjustment which is a pain in the butt to adjust. The piano black surface is also a pain to keep clean. I was not a fan of the feet that came with table, I thought at this price point they could have been better. Lastly, there is practically no customer service. Yes there is a U.S. distributer but good luck getting them to respond. Pro-Ject does not seem to treat them as family, if you catch my drift. When I had the table I used the Ortofon Quintet Blue which came with the table. I only kept the EAT for a matter of months, I hated it that much. I have since then moved to a different table. But let me comment from the perspective of an elder person that has been "re-introduced" to Analog. I recently changed my cartridge and it made a world of difference. Lets face it, the cartridge is where the rubber meets the road. IMHO, it is the most significant upgrade you can make and represents the greatest bang for the buck. Look, if you want a new TT then buy one but if you like or love the one you have have then be kind to it and get it a new cartridge. Bottom Line: I do not like EAT turntables. You can do better. |
Based on my experience, you will hear substantial difference. I had switched from Music Hall 5 to Marantz TT15S1 transferring Ortofon 2M Black from one to the other. All other system components the same. The difference was huge in every aspect of performance. I think these two components are somewhat comparable to those in your scenario. Hope it helps. |