Update that Phono Preamp. The PS Audio Stellar would be a wonderful upgrade. I am certain it would please you!
Thank you regarding the phono recommendations. Truth be told, I don’t use the turntable that much anymore. I do have records, they just happen to sit on my shelf.
That might change with a Phono Preamp upgrade.
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Ok then! How about some European recommendations? I think transparent sound, without it being colored by the gear.
Nothing unusual about that. I have never met anyone who said “I want my music unrecognizable! I want Fat, Bloated Bass, boosted to heaven highs, and a flabby tubby midrange.”
“and out of phase please!”
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well I guess I meant some like a warm sound etc.
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For a significant phono preamp upgrade try the UK’s Rega Aura. I know we’ve all said this many times, but this really is the “end game” phono pre for me. This is fed by a Rega RP-10 (in skeleton form with Isoacoustics feet) and a Rega Aphelion2 cart. Wonderful combo for any vinyl from jazz to prog rock. Truly love this analog front end.
EDIT: The TT is also mounted on a wall shelf which is supported by a series of isolation components including Butcher-Block and Isoacoustics shelf and the floor is further supported in the basement with an adjustable column to raise the natural frequency of the structure. All this nutty stuff really seems to work in terms of acoustic feedback at lower frequencies. Okay, I’ve probably gone far off topic or maybe not.
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Looks like you have the digital side squared away, unless you wanted you wanted to step up from the T2?
The EAR 834 is a more than capable device (not that I don’t like the SPP, I do, I owned one for a few years and enjoyed it quite a bit) which can be modified to squeeze more from it. Tube roll, caps, resistors, stand-offs under the circuit board, rca’s upgraded and removed from the circuit board and mounted to the chassis, etc. Must be a person in Europe that performs mods to the 834. Tubes in the path should help maintain the “warmer” sound you seek
Maybe an upgrade to your cart/tonearm? not sure what you have on the Concept now?
Some mods to the 834 and/or cart/arm upgrade will have you listening to a lot more vinyl I imagine
Best,
-JP
Well the ClearAudio Concept TT came with the Satisfy tonearm and Concept MC cartridge. What (European brand) would you suggest? Let’s say budget is ~USD3k.
Someone also suggested replacing the EAR phono pre.
A warm sound from the TT would be nice.
Note that I kinda have moved away from records. Although someone said that Native I’ll go back if I had a better analogue setup😂
I can only speak to my experience with European made carts, like most things in this hobby carts are very a very system dependent and personal choice
I have (2) “euro carts” Ortofon Cadenza Red and a Benz-Micro Glider L which is modified with a ruby cantilever, silver coils, Fritz diamond I enjoy them both although each gives a different flavor. My other carts are all Japanese
Clear Audio produces many carts from 1K-20K may want to take a look at them along with Ortofon and Benz. I sure I’m missing some, maybe others have experience with the European mfg’s
Best,
-JP
Want to know more about the TT wall shelf setup…. I need one like that
