2. analog
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Air Tight PC-1 Coda and more options to upgrade my analog setup

There aren’t many reviews out there for the new Air Tight PC-1 Coda. I’m looking to upgrade my analog setup and it fits my budget and the overall reviews for the PC-1 are fantastic. Before anyone mentions it, yes I will be listening before I buy. I plan on listening to similar priced carts from Lyra, Kiseki, Koetsu, and more.

At the same time debating a phono preamp upgrade. Thinking about the Luxman EQ-500.

Current setup is Rega RP8 (waiting for the new P10 or P12), Ortofon Quintet Black cartridge, to Mytek Manhattan II w/ Phono stage, McIntosh C47, McIntosh MC452, B&W 802D3, with audioquest speaker cabling and ICs, and Nordost Frey 2 PCs. Room is quite well treated and rack is Symposium Osiris. Listening on vinyl is mainly 1955-1975, jazz, rock, and orchestral (Mahler, Strauss-not Beethoven or chamber). (Wider variety with Qobuz digital). Vinyl is all very high quality original or repressings.

Happy to hear any feedback on the setup. What am I looking for? A little more sparkle. Realism. Just more. Maybe a little more bass as well, as I’ve got the C47 set to push bass +3dB. (Tried a sub and it didn’t help in my space and prefer the overall sound of the floor standers by themselves). The system sounds amazing, I just want even more of this amazing. Thanks!
Ag insider logo xs@2xmayoradamwest

Showing 5 responses by jperry

jperry
2,430 posts
 
A few thoughts:

1. The Luxman EQ-500 phono preamp is a great sounding piece of equipment.
2. Rega tonearms are not a great match with low compliance MC cartridges, and the lack of easy VTA adjustment makes it difficult to optimize the VTA, which is crucial to getting the best from your cartridge. I agree with @dover and would recommend upgrading your turntable to something better and more suitable before buying an expensive cartridge.
3. Add EMT cartridges to your trial list.

I think you have a nice system. Your analog front end will only be as good as the weak link.
jperry
2,430 posts
 
"You can make a light tonearm work with any cartridge just by adding weight until you get the right resonance frequency."

Making it "work" and making it sound good are not the same thing.

 "I don’t want to let it slide that the Rega RP10 (and surely it’s successor) is a Stereophile A component, and reviews for it are extremely positive."

That does not mean it will sound great, or will work well with any of the cartridges you have in mind. It will sound fine and function well with a Rega cartridge.
jperry
2,430 posts
 
A couple of thoughts on turntables you might want to hear:

1. AMG Giro. Once you have it set up there is no reason to fiddle with it again. Sounds great. I have heard it a number of times with the DS Audio cartridge which is an excellent match. The other AMG turntables are better, but more expensive. http://www.amg-turntables.com/giro-turntable/

2. Dr Feickert Woodpecker or Blackbird turntable. Great sounding high mass turntable with lot’s of torque. http://www.feickert.org/index.php?id=2&L=1

It all comes down to personal preference. I like higher mass turntables that have torque to overcome stylus drag. I personally have a Garrard 301.

I owned a Rega before and heard a Linn, but not to my taste, although they have many fans.

Good luck with your search.
jperry
2,430 posts
 
"the PC-1 was disappointing in the setup I heard it. It was a Feickert table and all air tight electronics. That said, it may not have been the best match on table, or maybe it was the speakers. It's clearly supposed to be a wonderful cartridge. I found it a bit harsh, with an overemphasis on surface noise, but I again, it's a complete package, so I couldn't specifically blame the cartridge for that. "

The Dr. Feickert turntables usually come with a Jelco tonearm which is a good, entry level tonearm. The PC-1 on the same turntable with an EMT, or Ikeda tonearm would have been a different and likely much better experience. The Dr. Feickert Blackbird with an EMT tonearm and cartridge is an excellent matchup.

IMO the importance of the tonearm in the analog system is usually underestimated.

Good that you are continuing to listen to different things so you find the right combination for yourself.
jperry
2,430 posts
 
I think that combination will be far better than initial plan. Doing the research, in terms of listening pays off in the long term. What are your thoughts on the comparison between the Lyra and Koetsu? Did you listen to a DS Audio optical cartridge?

Best Regards,

Jim Perry
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