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Help buying first analog rig - Clearaudio Concept or Rega P6

I am in the process of purchasing my first major analog rig since I was teen back in the 80's. My system has been digital. I had a period of about 8 years where I did not do much with audio as we were moving and building a new home. Shortly after our home was built, but before the basement was finished and the alarm was installed, we had a break in. Among the many things other things taken, they took a box of my CD's, basically all my SACD's. So when I the basement was finished and got setup again it prompted me to get into streaming. I have a dedicated listening room which is pretty big 16 x 25 and 9' ceiling on a concrete slab (i know that helps with turntables) with laminate flooring and area rug. My System is pretty straight forward digital.
-Innuos Zen mkIII to stream and play my ripped CD's along with other hi-rez digital I have purchased and some DSD's
-Chord Qutest fed with a Shunyata Alpha USB from the Zen
-PrimaLuna EVO 400 integrated
-Sonus Faber Sonetto VIII 
-Purist Audio Venustas Luminist Speaker and RCA  cables, Shunyata Venom NR V10 power cables

The only small stack of vinyl I own is what I had as a teen, 80's rock which I may listen to occasionally, but I plan on buying new vinyl. I listen to a lot of Jazz - Coltrane, Davis, etc, a lot of modern bluegrass mostly female vocal like Sarah Jarosz, Sierra Hull, Alison Krauss.
The 2 tables that I seem to have gravitated towards are:
-Rega P6 with Hana EL 
-Clearaudio Concept wood with the black satisfy arm and either their Concept MC or Maestro V2 cartridge.

I know the Concept does not come with a dust cover, no big deal for me, I can always add one down the road.

Phono pre
-Sutherland KC Vibe
-MS Phenomena 2+

My budget was originally 3000 for the table/cart and pre, but I really like the concept wood ascetically, it would fit nicely in my rustic/industrial decor which has a lot of wood. I know its not about ascetics, but I am just not crazy about the look of Rega, but it does get great reviews. My rack is butcher block and iron pipe, so the table would sit on the top shelf next tot he PrimaLuna. I am the kind of person that does not mind tinkering and I understand the inconvenience of records vs digital, but I am looking for the natural, openness and beauty that vinyl brings to the system. What am I missing?
128x128jmphotography
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@williewonka ,

That’s a very compelling and persuasive response with the only problem being the very strong competition to be found elsewhere.

In any case, such is the state of vinyl replay in 2021, whichever deck the OP buys is bound to give satisfaction.

I would suggest taking a look at some of the Technics decks too but I think the OP’s mind is already made up, even of he hasn’t fully realised it yet.

Perhaps he’s already answered his own question?


"..but I really like the concept wood ascetically, it would fit nicely in my rustic/industrial decor which has a lot of wood. I know its not about ascetics, but I am just not crazy about the look of Rega."
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,560 posts
 
@jmphotography,

If you like Clearaudio Concept TT, take a look at Dr. Feickert’s Volare turntable for $3695 with a Origin Live Mk3 tonearm. It’s a better TT / Tonearm combo and a great value, IMO.

https://youtu.be/tb08CgmR5aU

https://upscaleaudio.com/products/dr-feickert-volare-turntable?variant=36963057041592
bigslacker's avatar
bigslacker
41 posts
 
ClearAudio makes nice gear.
+1 to what MC said

middlemass
917 posts
 
+1 gakerty and millercarbon:

I have the Rega and my only complaint is the VTA adjustment thing. Assuming all other things are equal, I would go with the Concept.
jond's avatar
jond
5,849 posts
 
Based on my experience with Rega, a Planar 3, I would go Clearaudio. The Wood looks great and the fact that the plinth is Baltic Birch and not MDF is a big plus.
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