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Upgrade from clearaudio concept MC cart

The clearaudio concept MC v1 cart is the lone holdover from my previous system (well, other than the dual rhythmik e15 subs) and I’m curious as to how much more I can expect from the following carts or carts in similar price ranges. The one cart similarly priced to the concept is the audio Technica Art9 but everyone just raves about it being the equal of carts double its price so it’s in the running.

Let me say too that the concept mc is no slouch and having been retipped by needleclinic it may be even better than before. I am enjoying my stereo more now than ever but we always want to eek out that last bit of quality.

Current system:

philharmonic bmr speakers
rhythmik e15 subs x 2
van Alstine Synergy amp
nuprime dac10 (pre and dac)
musical surr. Nova II phono pre
Nottingham 294 w/ 12" ace space arm
boston audio mat1 (platter mat)
clear Day double shotgun speaker cables
audio art ic3se interconnects
gik room treatments



carts im interested in: 

AT Art9
Charisma MC2
Charisma Ref 1 or 2
Kiseki Blue NS
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Clearaudio Charisma v2 MM

joegator81
joegator81 OP
108 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestions. My list is not at all exhaustive. I'm aware of the clearaudio / audio Technica claims. I've owned 3 clearaudio carts and one audio Technica and they were all fine pieces. I think there is more to a cart than just the innards though and I'm waiting on actual reviews of the clear Charisma v2 MM, for 2 grand it better be great. 
joey54
434 posts
 
I heard the Charisma at the Musical Surroundings event at the Audio Connection late last year. It was mounted to the new Clearaudio Concept Black with Satisfy tonearm and used with the Nova II into an Ayre system with Vandersteen 5A Carbon’s. Again YMMV, but I thought it was the best MM I have heard to date. They played a few of my own albums and the vocals in particular were outstanding. On classical music, Gounod: Faust - Ballet Music / Bizet: Carmen - Suite, the leading edge dynamics were outstanding. I had never heard a MM sound like that. You might want to reach out to Garth at Musical Surroundings. He was really helpful when I upgraded my analog front end.

For reference, my analog rig is also a Clearaudio Performance DC with the AMG Teatro cartridge into a Nova II.
joegator81 OP
108 posts
 
Thanks Joey, that's good to know. I'm familiar with the concept TT, used to own one and I've owned the clearaudio maestro v1 and v2. Do you have any opinions on how the clearaudio Charisma compares to the maestro? 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,821 posts
 
Slightly off topic but I found the Boston Mat to damp the music to such a point as to remove critical information from the system. As a quick test, try removing it and replacing it with a vinyl record.

tablejockey
3,916 posts
 
 "The one cart similarly priced to the concept is the audio Technica Art9 but everyone just raves about it being the equal of carts double its price so it’s in the running"

joegator81-
If your phono stage has enough gain(65-70) you may also want to include the ART 7. It's very low output. One can be found for a few bucks less than the ART9. Typically found on Ebay.

Different build, possibly more refined with certain music. Been enjoying my ART 9 for a few years.
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