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Upgrade from clearaudio maestro mm to $2-3k mc cart?

Hello,

I’m interested in replacing my clearaudio maestro mm cart with an mc cart in the $2-3k range and am looking for advice. I’m due for a retip soon and have been thinking I want to know what the mc world is like. The maestro has been great but I’d like to hear the next level. I’ve had my eye on the clearaudio talisman, partially because I’ve been so happy with my clearaudio gear so far that I’d like to stick with them but also it seems to have good reviews. If anyone can comment on the talisman or other mc carts in the same range, I’d love to hear what you have to say.

Rest of the system: The tt is a cleaudio concept wood w/ satisfy tonearm. Phono stage is a pro-ject tube box ds2. The amp is a Line Magnetic LM219ia. Phono stage and integrated have been tube rolled. Speakers are Klipsch Forte IV’s. 
 

Thanks!

durte30
durte30 OP
17 posts
 

@tablejockey 
They do have a less expensive (or maybe more inexpensive?) tube hybrid phono at around $500 so maybe that’s the one you’re remembering? I’m not sure how long the tube box ds2 has been around. As for finding a thread on it, I’ve seen plenty of threads about people upgrading to the ds2 but not much about upgrading from the ds2. I’ll keep looking. 

@holmz 

I see what you mean. On one hand I could save up longer for a super upgrade of phono stage and cart but on the other hand I really enjoy getting to know each component as it enters the system and I’m not able to do that if I change two things at once. I have some thinking to do but I’m not in a rush. Did you end up going with the Lil Loco?

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

I see what you mean. On one hand I could save up longer for a super upgrade of phono stage and cart but on the other hand I really enjoy getting to know each component as it enters the system and I’m not able to do that if I change two things at once. I have some thinking to do but I’m not in a rush. Did you end up going with the Lil Loco?

@durte30

As mentioned I was taken by the Moon/Sim and the Sutherland Loco and lil Loco.
But a Nagra VPS appeared and the “down sizing” and “sleekness of look” sort of won out…

Basically the Haus-Boss never liked the mix of Audio Research and other mix-n-match components… so a simpler and coherent look was easier than a debate on audio function versus decorative Feng Shui.

Hence I just buckled, and went all Feng Shui. But it does sound pretty good so far.
I doubt I will upgrade the phono stage without going through a reincarnation.😎

The iFi also looks like a good option in the lower $ range…
But in the 2-3k$ range it was Moon/lil-loco for me.

Going Feng Shui was more $, and it was used.

kingharold
304 posts
 

I use an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze cartridge which is within your 2,000.00 to 3,000.00 stated price range.  Not only does it sound very good but also its Replicant 100 stylus works surprisingly well to reduce surface noise with older LPs.

durte30 OP
17 posts
 

@kingharold 

Thanks for the advice, I’ll check it out. I’ve been swayed here to upgrade my phono stage first but will eventually upgrade the cart too. 

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