Rega or ClearAudio Turntable

I think either turntable you noted will play records beautifully. It's a very subjective choice. One note, Clearaudio has a Performance DC with Verify arm in the $3000 range now. That in terms of dollars will be a match to the RP8.

If you want to save some cash, the Concept will probably be a nice choice. It's going to compete with the Rega RP-6. Also to add the Pro-Ject PerspeX Turntable and add the Pro-Ject Speed Box.

But if I had $3000 or so to spend on a new turntable I'd look at RP-8, The Performance DC, VPI Classic 1 and to add the Pro-Ject Xtension 10 Turntable.

It comes down to dollars & cents, what and hw much do you feel comfortable in spending.

No contest, the Clearaudio Performance. To begin with Clearaudio is a turntable orientated company, no DAC's, players, etc. At this level on up you get the magnetically suspended CBM spindle, Verify tonearm, massive platter, and decoupled motor.

Sintered bearings suck with the exception of the Ayre DPS. In Rega's own RP9 design description they claim the lightweight skeletal plinth is better than mass at dealing with bearing noise. One look at the most highly regarded decks and all you see is mass.

I've had a few tables and when I settled on my Well Tempered the whole bearing thing became very clear.

Clearaudio is more CD like!

I would any day take a Rega P8 or a Thorens TD350. If you are getting into analogue, knowing all the hassles, you better get the essence of analogue playback which lot of the modern TTs miss (that includes Clearaudio IMO).

Wanted to say the Traveler beat out the Rega RP6.

Sbrownnw- Just curious, what review are you speaking about. In the recent S-Phile review of the Traveler, S. Mejias appears to much prefer the Traveler over Rega. However, the comparison was mostly done against a P3-24. Toward the end of the review, he then gets an RP3, and finally installs the same cartridge he had on the Traveler. At that point, he seems to just slightly prefer the VPI. Again, just one persons experience, but an interesting read.