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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
1,502 posts
 
No , I never verified the new table was the problem. Not yet anyway. More to come on this soon. Lewm you are right on track with whats going through my mind as well. I really think I have more than one problem happening here. I will know a lot more here soon. I will say the table has a very heavy dust cover that I can take off. With the cover on I would think that would help a lot with any air born resonances wouldn't it? My system is rather close together. I am going to move some stuff around as you suggest. Regards,

Matt
lewm
13,359 posts
 
How have you been playing LPs? Cover on or cover off? If cover has been on, take it off. If cover has been off, try with cover on, but I usually find that overall I like the sound best when the tt is naked, no cover. Others don't always agree, however. First of all, do change the position of the tt in the room OR move the speakers. I, like Yogiboy, do think that the info you've provided exonerates the phono stage, unless there is some unusual electrical oscillation going on. This could be the case, if the RIAA correction circuit relies upon negative feedback, but the possibility is very remote. I have a hunch the solution to your problem will prove to be simple.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller OP
1,502 posts
 
Thanks Lewm, I hope so. Cover on cover off...Im not sure really if there is much of a difference. I will say I tend to agree with you lew, off is best.I know for a fact that my phono preamp is aweful!! So, I'm changing that this weekend. Laters.

Matt
mmakshak
589 posts
 
I would approach your problems with the idea that it's there to help you learn something(hard to do). What opportunity does this present to you? If you just repeat(in your head)"I have bad luck.", that doesn't help you.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,780 posts
 
You have already stated that you only have the problem when you use the turntable. You should address that or you will be spinnin' your wheels till the cows come home!
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