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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
tablejockey
3,771 posts
 
"Linn LP12(with the upgrades),Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum, Luxman EQ-500."

mayoradamwest-you're not messin' around...If I had to choose between that and the RP10, I would go Rega. Nothing negative about the Linn, but If I wanted to simplify, the Rega w/Apheta seems like a no brainer. Plus, it does look cool.

Your existing setup-Mytek w/phono is certainly capable, but that Luxman should make you understand what the fuss is all about. 
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mayoradamwest OP
429 posts
 
It’s more about sound. I heard this setup today (though with a sweet Plinius class A amp) and wanted to take the system home. Really just perfect. I was a little skeptical about the Linn as well. Will do more research but the owner of the shop knows his stuff. Had plenty more expensive stuff and it’s what we both preferred. 
tablejockey
3,771 posts
 
Linn is the other brand that seems to be loved or hated. Just like Rega, they wouldn't be around,long as they have, if they were doing things "wrong".

I have heard a few of iterations of Linns over the decades, always nice. Just never drawn to own one. Their upgrades seem endle$$. The there's the Linn aesthetic...not that there's anything wrong with it...


Follow your ears.


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mayoradamwest OP
429 posts
 
totally. I heard several tables today, including ones much more expensive. Granted none had the Koetsu (though similarly prices). There was something just right about this setup. I’m going to try out the cartridge on the Rega first, before dropping like 30k on the upgrades I mentioned. I figured you all would be happy with this direction ;) I know it’s not an SME, but that was a bit out of my budget and didn’t find one to listen to. None the less, I’m not sure I heard a fault in the setup I heard today. It was a giant leap better. 
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mayoradamwest OP
429 posts
 
Btw the cartridge I heard and am considering is the Onyx Platinum. The rosewood is my backup if I need to save a little money. We’ll see how the stock market does they next few days!
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