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Cartridge and step up / riaa for TW Acustic Raven

Hi!

I hope you all are well :)

If everything gets together I will buy a TW Acustic Raven One with a Graham Phantom II in the new year. The next step is to buy a cartridge and phono amp.

My equipment consist of Wilson Sophias II, Burmester 032 integrated amp, Burmester 061 cd player, Nordost Tyr interconnects and speaker cables, Thor powerdistributor with Nordost Brahma powerlines. In addition to this I have a Revox B77 mk2 reel to reel player.

The Burmester sound is in many ways similar to McIntosh, but slightly more on the ying side. The sound is clear and open, with a wonderful mids. The treble is smooth and detailed. The bottom is dynamic and deep, but more running with the flow than with a slam. The bigger 911 mk3 amp is more detailed in the bottom. But the price level is different too.

So I have to combine a cartridge and phono amp to this. I play all kind of music, since I am both is a talent buyer for rock pop festivals and a consultant for the national arts council regarding music (all kinds). So I listen a lot to music through the week.

I like dynamic open detailed open sound, but I do not like it overly analytical if that means too much forward in its presentation.

I like the sound in my system at the moment. However, I have to do something with my listening room, but thats another story. Its an ongoing process as we know!

My budget at this point will be approx. USD 3,000 for the phono amp and USD 1,500 for the cartridge. Maybe step later on.

The dealer of TW Acustic has reccommended Koetsu and Air Tight.

Thanks for your help!

Cheeers, ToffenG

toffeng
larryi
3,719 posts
 
Toffen,

I've heard a Koetsu Airtight combination, which sounded terrific, but, the cartridge was a very expensive Koetsu Onix Platinum cartridge, which is quite different in sound from most of the lower priced Koetsu cartridges (the Onix Platinum is faster, much more dynamic and leaner sounding). The lower end Koetsu cartridges tend toward the warmer (upper bass and lower midrange emphasis) side and can sound a bit sluggish and lifeless in the wrong system.

I am not familiar with the specific model of Burmester cd player you have, but, I've heard some of their models and really like the sound. It would help to know what kind of sound you are looking for in comparison with the sound you get from the Burmester. Are you looking for something more detailed and dynamic, something less analytical, etc.? My own take on the Burmester sound is that is on the warmer side, though the cheaper Koetsus would be much more on the warmer side.
philb7777
401 posts
 
Dynavector XX-2 (I think retails for $1800)

EAR 834P (retails for $1700 new)

Hear this set up before with several different amp/loudspeaker combos and it is very synergistic with each other and with most associated equipment. Also has the characteristic sound you have described that you like in your system.
toffeng OP
41 posts
 
Hi!

Thanks all :)

I like dynamic open detailed sound, but if its too lean it will be impossible to listen to in the long run. As many of the records I receive are of variable quality, its important the the equipment play as natural as possible. Ofcourse natural sound could be on the analytical side, but it can also be on the more musical side (whatever that mean). You have to exuse my english, I am a norwegian you know :)

I have seen through many years of audio, that many audiophile play the same albums all over again. And if you for instance bring with you a NIN or a John Martyn record, the reproduction fall apart instantly.

The cd player 001 from Burmester tended to lean toward the warmer side, but the newer combine ying and yang very good. The 001 is a legend, especially combined with 011 preamp. Then the combination will be more natural, but still friendly toward your ear with all kind of music. The newer 061 is more dynamic and a little leaner. And lower price too! The Burmester 032 amp is also a little more leaner than the 001 cd player since its a newer design. As Absolute Sound stated, its very hard to describe the sound of the latest versions of Burmester. Its like a wire with amplification.

Have anyone of testet Aesthetix or Naim phone amps?

Cheeers, Toffen
nolitan
865 posts
 
You can also try the Shelter 5000, 501. For phono pre-amp, you can consider the EAR834p, GSP Elevator with Era Gold v.
mvaudio's avatar
mvaudio
16 posts
 
Miyajima Shilabe & 834P, Shilabe is a steal at the price
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