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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
 

@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.

tablejockey
4,403 posts
 

I'M sure the OP will be enjoy hearing his system "reawakening."  

"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."

@dayglow 

Unless you were thinking stepping out of the Rega thing, wouldn't the P10 be the "no brainer" upgrade?

P9 maybe getting on in age, but I'm sure it still holds its own. If I was a long term Rega fan, I'd swing for the Naia-a wallet emptying move, but a nice sounding one.

 

durkn
109 posts
 

I would go with a VPI. 

I have a Prime 21, tube phonostage, and Soundsmith Zephyr Mk3 moving iron cart.

I’m running a tube preamp that has a phonostage but am running an external phonostage with it because I get no hum when turned up.

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