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Clearaudio Innovation Wood or shoot for the stars Techdas AF 3

      I currently have a VPI Prime turntable with a Benz Micro LPS-MR cartridge and a Simuaudio 610 lp phono stage. I was about to upgrade to Clearaudio Innovation Wood with probably a Kuzma 4-point arm when my wife says that this better be my last turntable upgrade and she said I could spend more for as long as I never ( never probably means 5 years, I hope ) upgrade my turntable again. This got me looking at the new Techdas AF5 ( just launched at the recent Tokyo Audio Show). However my dealer prefers  of course the more expensive AF 3  with a Graham arm. Although, he can also do  Kuzma except I have to wait for an armboard as most Techdas armboards are already pre-drilled to fit Graham's. I have heard the Clearaudio extensively in a friends place with the Universal arm and Mysonic Lab Signature Gold and its sounds great but I have never heard the AF3's. Though I have heard the AF1 in another friends system which costs  probably 20 times mine and it sounded beyond this world ( at least for me). Hoping that the trickle down technology on the AF3 will get me 80%-90% of the sound of the AF1. 

    Now, the question is which table to get? Assuming home audition is not possible ( but of course I will try ). The cost of the AF3 will leave me broke ( to do anymore upgrades to my system) but hopefully happy and satisfied.  The technology on this thing alone makes me want to buy it. The awesome reviews help too. The Clearaudio also has good reviews. I've heard it, it also sounds wonderful and quite a few people here own them and  it leaves me wiggle room too to upgrade some other stuff ( ARC REf phono 3 perhaps or  an additional cartridge for different flavor ) . Though I noticed that owner's keep them for a few years ( from my back reading of threads ) but still upgrade to much higher priced turntables ( hence my hesitation ) as this is  sort of the "last table for life" kind of situation. 

     This a once in a lifetime deal ( because of the wife's blessing and the amount involved ). I don't think she'll give me another chance like this one .  Hoping your thoughts/inputs can point me to the right direction. Thanx.
      
PS. Please do not suggest other brands, due to availability and dealer relationships these are already my finalists, so let's limit the discussion to the 2 above mentioned turntables.
attymbb
inna
7,296 posts
 
It is possible that what you really want is the TechDas reference turntable that you heard at your friend's. But it is unreachable, ever.
Almost all of us, if we start comparing what we can have and what is available..
However, last table situation creates different state of mind. Whether you follow the wish or postpone is very personal. There might be no right or wrong, both might be right in different ways.
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

Let us know how the demo goes. Something to think about is how much does each piece contribute to the overall sound. The Table, arm, cartridge and phono preamp all have an affect. They are all important but some pieces have more of an impact than others.


lewm
13,106 posts
 
I don't understand your wife's logic.  But then again, I don't understand my own wife, either.  Buy what you like and then buy her some flowers or some nice jewelry.  All will be forgiven.  I can see how a wife might legitimately object to the purchase of gear that is big and/or ugly for placement in your mutual living space, but this case baffles me. I guess I am blessed; my wife turns a blind eye to my audio craziness.  The result is three turntables up and running in our living room and two more in the basement.

Audiophile logic says that if you splurge on the AF3 and either the Kuzma or Graham tonearm, your front end will have in theory exceeded in its capabilities the downstream components.  You'll be itching for more upgrades.
inna
7,296 posts
 
I may understand the logic. She wants to protect her husband from himself, and she might want to protect family finances as well.
lewm
13,106 posts
 
Inna, As I understand the OP, his wife has blessed the purchase of the AF3.  The OP himself is struggling between a "reasonable" choice of a very expensive turntable or a less reasonable choice of a very, very expensive turntable (the AF3), precisely because his wife has consented to either.

I've been struggling to keep my opinion to myself, but IF I were to express my opinion, I would suggest wait for the upcoming Technics SP10R.  It may blow away both of these alternative choices and may cost less than either. But of course, I did not say that.  Of course, the 10R will not LOOK as sexy as the AF.  Nothing could.
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