I own the Clearaudio Concept Wood and am having a great experience with it. If you decide to go this route, I strongly recommend the Satisfy Carbon tonearm option. Also, if the phono preamp built into your excellent Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum III supports MC, you can also consider the Concept MC cartridge with boron cantilever and microline stylus. It's a great $1K cartridge that is often included in a package for ~ $400. Wishing you the best in your search.
Best turntable under $4000
I am looking to take the next step in my analog journey. I currently am using a Fluance RT85 with ortofon 2m blue. I have a Rogue Audio cronus magnum iii. I am running them with Kef 104/2 's. Fluance seems to get alot of hate on here. I was considering a cartridge upgrade but I am hesitant to upgrade more then the cost of the table. I don't hear much background noise and like the sound. I guess I am wondering if I don't know I hear noise because I have not heard a turntable that eliminates that noise? When I went from my Onkyo to my Rogue Sphinx iii I realized I had been missing a whole lot of sound. Then I ditched my rebuilt EPI M150's and heard hidden instruments in tracks I have listened to for years. I am looking for that in a turntable upgrade. Apperance is important. I have interest in the following:
Clear Audio Concept Wood w/ maestro v2
Mofi fender precisiondeck w/ mastertracker
Stretching my budget is:
Dr. Feikert Volare no cartridge
Gold Note Pianosa no cartridge
These take me out of my budget once I get a cartridge
Any other reccomendations
I will miss the autostart function for those buzzed listening nights. I would like the 4k to include a cartridge. Any opinions are welcome. Anyone think I should say screw the "rules" and get an Ortofon black?
Thank you in advance