New ASR Basis Exclusive 2010

5 hours later and here are my initial impressions:
More extended top to bottom. Actually dialed my 20T's bass back to the neutral position. No other cartridge, table, cable or loading changes from my previous 2008 gold board edition.

More air without any grain, simply amazing top end. Picked up musical cues on familiar records that I hadn't noticed before. Great soundstage, lots of dimensionality. My wife finally kicked me an said enough with the music. I was certainly enjoying myself.

I can't if it's real or not but I swear it's quieter without sounding dark.

More to follow.

I have the version right before the gold board version. What are the differences between the gold board and the latest 2010 version in terms of design and sound?

I am thinking upgrading to the latest version around March 2010. Thanks.

The new unit has resistance settings for both balanced channels. Not to be confused with left and right channel but both positive and inverse signals on the balanced cable. Since I use balanced interconnects this was a big plus. You can now also get top end WBT RCA inputs in either copper or silver. When I get time I'll try my single ended inputs. The new auto feature is great. Leave it on auto and when the needle hits the record it switches to battery. It works fast even on low output MCs. I have an XV-1s and it works every time and is silent. In terms of sound as good as my 08 gold board was this is a step up. Extension top to bottom is even better. I have a large volume room and normally set my 20T Bass at max for digital. I had to set them on the lower neutral setting for the new Exclusive. Not boomy, just great solid extended bass. The top end extension and air around instruments is improved. I don't know how.

Maybe it's even quieter than before. How quiet is quiet? The new model is dead silent without being dark. The instruments and staging just jump out. Lot's of layering and image detail. I'm picking up details in familiar albums that I had not noticed before. I have a great tube hybrid DAC for digital but I wish by digital sounded this good.

Overall I'm very impressed. I've had the last two models and as great as they are this is an improvement. It's more flexible, there are a lot more loading options than the Mk1 that I had. And it it matters there is even more eye candy in the new version. To identify Auto Settings they have implemented a set of LED blocks that are cool looking.

What's important is it sounds great. I really struggled with whether to upgrade. For me it was really worth It. Feel free to shoot me an email.

This is a solid state phono stage? I guess you wouldn't really need a tube phono since you probably get a lot of warmth from those 20Ts...

I'm not sure I'd call the 20T's warm but I'll try and not start an argument. That said I'd also never call the Basis Exclusive solid state sounding. While it's solid state it's most notable characteristic is it's neutrality, tight bass and pristine top end. If your in the Chicago area drop me a line. Your welcome to come over and audition.