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Turntable advice / opinion on setup / sound.

Hello all you analog experts. I am seeking some advice, opinions and direction to try, based on my tastes and setup. 

I’m not loving my current TT sound but there are variables that could cause this. For reference, my favorite TT I ever owned was the ClearAudio Champion Level 2 (wish I never sold it) because it was warm and had a huge stage. 

  1. I listen to every style of music, smooth jazz to hard metal. 
  2. I have to turn the volume way up to get the get the level I like which at times has hiss and a tiny bit of hum. Compared to digital sources which have none of these issues. 
  3. I find this setup to lack huge stage and warmth. 

My current system is:

  1. Rega Planar 8 w/ Alpheta 2 MC cart.  
  2. Cambridge Audio -> Alva Duo Phono Pre amp
  3. Mark Levinson -> No 585 Amp. 
  4. Martin Logan 15a Renaissance -> 8FT apart/ 3ft off the front wall and 3 FT from each side wall. I sit 9FT away from the speakers.  

The turntables I am considering are:

1) Musical Fidelity -> M8XTT

What cart would you use?

2) Michell Audio -> Gyro SE Turntable

3) Clear Audio Champion Level 2

Thank you all in advance for any guidance and opinions you can offer. 

necrosuit
jperry
2,535 posts
 

The Rega Planar 8 w/ Alpheta 2 MC cart is a good setup.

I think you need to upgrade your phono stage. I think the weak link is your $400 phono stage.

What cartridge were you using with the ClearAudio Champion Level 2? Were you using the same Alva Duo Phono Pre amp?

The cartridge has a greater effect on the sound.

necrosuit OP
17 posts
 

Yes these speakers definitely love lots of current but I drove the other setups with same power of 250wpc. This amp will be around 350wpc at 4 ohm and handle bursts at 2 ohm. 
as far as the phono stage, no, this is different. I used a tube phono pre with my Clear Audio and don’t recall what model. It wasn’t very expensive either but was able to tube roll. The cartridge was also a Clear audio MM.  I’ve always felt tube phono pre and MM were better for Logan’s but more to the point here is the phono stage it seems. 
what phono pre amps are a good match for this setup? Thank you. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,824 posts
 

@jperry +1

there is zero reason to swap out a very good table when you’re bottlenecked by the Cambridge Audio phono stage. Get a phono stage that is on the level of your table cartridge combination and you will be amazed. Your gain issues will be addressed and soundstage will blossom. 
What is your budget for a new phono stage? Are you looking new or used or both. 

necrosuit OP
17 posts
 

Hey Jerry,

Thank you and yup, it seems that a better phono stage is my next route. One thing to consider is that I will be getting a new cart as well, not sure yet which one and the only reason I mention it is due to the fact I will want a good phono stage that handles both MM / MC equally. 
with that said, what would you recommend for a phono stage in the $1-2k range? Or is that even to low of an area for these quality devices I have? Thanks!

jperry
2,535 posts
 

Here are a couple in your price range, and one (Luxman) that is more aspirational, but that you would likely never need to upgrade (IMO)

Good luck with your search

Jim Perry

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbhe6e-manley-chinook-special-edition-mkii-phono-preamplifier-mint-upgraded-to-manley-oasis-phono

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbc99h-mcintosh-mp100-phono

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisbg593-luxman-eq-500-phono

 

 

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