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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
jimmyblues1959
231 posts
 

IMHO,  you have an excellent audio system that is being  held back by your phono pre amplifier. Before you get rid of the P8 (a wonderful TT by most accounts), I’d get a phono preamp that is on par with the rest of your audio gear. 

The most important aspect of any audio system is that the gear be well balanced so that there’s a synergy. One component that is not equal to the others compromises them.  

Best of luck in fine tuning your system and enjoy the music!! 👍

 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,741 posts
 

@jimmyblues1959 

You are right, I guess you missed that OP told us:

"Gentlemen,

You have all provided such awesome detailed feedback and I truly appreciate it all! 

With that said I just purchased the Manley Chinook Special Edition MkII Phono Preamp and the Ortofon 2MR Black LVB 250 cartridge. This will be my new path while I test and tune for a while. These purchases are a direct result of all your help and guidance. Thank you all! I have my Alpheta 2 MC Cart as well to compare differences.  I’ve always been a tube fan and tube rolling and this will allow a little of all worlds.  Thank you  "

jimmyblues1959
231 posts
 

@elliottbnewcombjr   Thanks for the update! Yes,  I did miss the follow up by the OP, but I'm glad that he found a nice upgrade for his phono preamp; which IMHO will now allow him to keep the rest of his audio system as is. 😊

Post removed 
dayglow
2,443 posts
 

@necrosuit      The Rega P8 is not the issue. The Cambridge phono-preamp is most likely the weak link in the system. Rega MC cartridges are known to have a slightly aggressive treble that can have an analytical sound signature. The turntables you mentioned would be a sideways move not an upgrade, have you considered a new Rega PL 10? FWIW I have found Clearaudio TT’s have a very open/airy spacious sound but lack the drive(PRAT) that top level Rega tables excel at. About 3 years ago I considered upgrading my 2011 P9/RB1000 to a Clearaudio Ovation but after several demos concluded it would be a sideways move-more refinement/less engagement then with my P9.

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