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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 everyone. 

Jockey, the Nova 2 tops out at 60 so the art7 is a no go. 

Noromance, when I replaced the foam mat with the Boston audio mat1 I got the very opposite of what you heard - the acoustic guitar chords in nutshell from Alice In Chains unplugged now had separation between each string where before you just heard the chord, kind of like turning up the treble and turning down the bass on an acoustic guitar amp. Positively unsubtle. Dean Peers bass on airborne has a delay that extends outside of the speakers and the detail of the notes are much easier to decipher. Again, not subtle. I haven't tried vinyl, if I find a piece flat enough I might give it a shot though 
joegator81 OP
108 posts
 
I'll add zyx to the list: 

Bloom 3 on the lower end 

Ultimate 100h a little further up the line 
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
@joegator81 So weird and proof if ever it was needed that systems and tastes vary. I do recollect hearing a delineation between notes as I do going from rubber to vinyl (as a mat) but the graphite damping that removed the smear or clutter between notes also robbed the minute information from the system.

joegator81 OP
108 posts
 
Noromance, I don't know your table but the mat1 is consistently toted as a great match to the Nottingham tables, maybe just a synergy thing. I'll try to find som flat vinyl though. I know clearaudio recommends no platter mat on their delrin platters as they are similar to vinyls properties 
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,026 posts
 
joegator81 See my table in my details. I use a 10" EP!
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