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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
elliottbnewcombjr
7,731 posts
 

Bill

I don’t understand.

You draw an arc at 222 mm.

You figure out where (on the 222mm arc) the counterweight will fit (when in the arm rest) inside the dust cover when closed

You drill a proper sized hole.

Lewm

Then, you ascertain the specs for THAT ARM

overhang _____

inner null point _____

outer null point _____

The makers have specific recommendations

ANY protractor with a variety of lines can work for any cartridge.

No math, no calculations, just twist the cartridge (retaining proper overhang) and make the best compromise of the two null points you can and tighten the screws.

It’s ridiculous how long it took, how much persistance was needed, to get the simple answer.

Now, if anyone asks, we can help them mount a non-rega cartridge in a rega arm!

I like helping people, that’s why I was hell bent on getting the simple measurements.

billstevenson
1,183 posts
 

Yes, well please don't be offended, but the simple answer for me is to use Rega cartridges on Rega turntables.  If I wind up buying a Rega TT that is what I would do.  There are many other excellent options for other brands of cartridges.  

elliottbnewcombjr
7,731 posts
 

bill,

I'm not offended, there have been several members lately who want to do this.

Apple and Rega may make terrific products, they are both proprietary greedy, neither one will get a dollar from me. 

I would rather run out of gas than buy Exxon, since the Valdez.

billstevenson
1,183 posts
 

Exxon Corporation had nothing whatever to do with the Valdez tragedy.  The company spent a lot of money in remediation, however.  Your animus is misdirected.  The ship went off course and ran aground due to human error.  Now let's talk about turntables.

necrosuit OP
17 posts
 

@dover 
Thanks for the ant-skate info. I moved it down to 1. Interesting that the highs became more prevalent but it seems to have lost a little warmth / body if that makes sense. I still need to play many more records and play around with adjustments.

@drbond 
I agree on this sentiment so far. Overall I have just not "felt" the high end Rega carts, they dont hit me like others and specifically MM vs MC, I always come back to MM and just like them better on all my tables Ive had.

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