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Help with Turntable/arm/cart decision

Hello Audiogoners please help me with a NEW turntable purchase. System is McIntosh C2200 pre with MC352 amp. Speakers are Dynaudio Contour 3.0's. OK, looking for a complete new turntable with tonearm and a cartridge for under $5,000. So far I am looking at: Clearaudio Performance DC w/verify tonearm, Pro-Ject Xtension 10 w/10cc EVO arm. I would like to be able to use my MM phono input through the C2200, I would consider an external phono pre if needed. I really like MC carts over MM's not sure why.....maybe mc seems to me to be more accurate and dynamic?? Or maybe I haven't heard a great MM. Tables I have had in the past are....Thornes TD160 w/TP16 tonearm with Grado Prestige woodbody, I think. Also, Rega P3 w/RB301 tonearm and a Dynavector 10X5. Help, I want something up a level or 2 from these, if possible?
128x128mattmiller
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller OP
1,497 posts
 
After 2 days of listening to the Xtension 10 with Clear Audio Maestro Ebony v2 , I was noticing major woofer pumping on several records that I like to play. I told Needle Doctor and they are unaware of any issuie with this Tone arm cartridge combo. They told me it was my records and said that the unit worked fine at there store....So after trying to be careful, NOW MY REL IS BLOWN!! I am going to purchase a KAB rumble filter because I am very upset that this happened. I even saw it occurring and dismissed it! I am ashamed at myself for not realizing this would happen. I think its not a good cartridge for the 10cc EVO ARM. (bad woofer pumping to me indicates a bad cartridge arm match). What do you guys think? Anyone have experience with this cartridge ??
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Never had that problem. I run a Basis with the Basis 300 (Rega arm) and a Benz Glider. I get plenty of bass if it't recorded and it tracks like a pro. Sucks that you blew your sub. Is there something wrong with the set up possibly?
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller OP
1,497 posts
 
After spending more time with this it seems that the cartridge and tone arm are a great match as I am getting awesome sound. As for the REL it started making scraping sounds and I'm not sure If they are even related. I might still buy a KAB rumble filter though, because I don't like seeing my Dynaudio drivers moving in and out so much you can hear them fluttering sometimes.
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
It's strange to me, but I'm no expert. Did the Rel give you problems using other sources? I'm sure there are some expert TT guys who may be able to help you out before you have to start with filters. That may be the way, but I wonder how many are using a filter. I haven't even seen one or heard about them in a few years and I've been to many dealers and listened to countless set ups from 300,000 down to Rega 1s. Very interesting situation and I'm sorry you are going through this.
4musica44107
520 posts
 
The Well Tempered Amadeus/equivalent includes a phenomenal tonearm and costs in the low to mid $3K range. (Certainly I am hooked as I have three of them in various systems!) That leaves you with a significant amount of money to spend on many excellent cartridge options.

Good Luck!
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