2. analog
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Air Tight PC-1 Coda and more options to upgrade my analog setup

There aren’t many reviews out there for the new Air Tight PC-1 Coda. I’m looking to upgrade my analog setup and it fits my budget and the overall reviews for the PC-1 are fantastic. Before anyone mentions it, yes I will be listening before I buy. I plan on listening to similar priced carts from Lyra, Kiseki, Koetsu, and more.

At the same time debating a phono preamp upgrade. Thinking about the Luxman EQ-500.

Current setup is Rega RP8 (waiting for the new P10 or P12), Ortofon Quintet Black cartridge, to Mytek Manhattan II w/ Phono stage, McIntosh C47, McIntosh MC452, B&W 802D3, with audioquest speaker cabling and ICs, and Nordost Frey 2 PCs. Room is quite well treated and rack is Symposium Osiris. Listening on vinyl is mainly 1955-1975, jazz, rock, and orchestral (Mahler, Strauss-not Beethoven or chamber). (Wider variety with Qobuz digital). Vinyl is all very high quality original or repressings.

Happy to hear any feedback on the setup. What am I looking for? A little more sparkle. Realism. Just more. Maybe a little more bass as well, as I’ve got the C47 set to push bass +3dB. (Tried a sub and it didn’t help in my space and prefer the overall sound of the floor standers by themselves). The system sounds amazing, I just want even more of this amazing. Thanks!
Ag insider logo xs@2xmayoradamwest
Ag insider logo xs@2x
mayoradamwest OP
430 posts
 
Don't know if anyone is still following along on my journey here, from an RP8 with a PC-1 as my initial thought. I ended on something much more expensive, but I think it's going to be wonderful.

AMG Viella V12 Turbo (I'm a Porsche guy, myself) w/ Koetsu Onyx Platinum Cartridge -> Boulder 508 Phono stage -> Audio Research Ref 6 Line Stage. 

Will update the amp and doc next round (thinking dCS Bartok and Luxman M900u).
jperry
2,454 posts
 
I think that combination will be far better than initial plan. Doing the research, in terms of listening pays off in the long term. What are your thoughts on the comparison between the Lyra and Koetsu? Did you listen to a DS Audio optical cartridge?

Best Regards,

Jim Perry
tablejockey
3,934 posts
 
mayoradamwest- 

Another serious combination is top dog Soundsmith carts on upper end VPI's  Strain gauge to my, ears worthy of being in the contentious "best" group.

Check it out if possible.
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mayoradamwest OP
430 posts
 
I heard the Lyra and Koetsu on totally different systems so I don’t think it would be fair to compare them directly. Both sounded wonderfully detailed. At least in the system that I heard the Koetsu is was incredibly rich and musical. Mids for miles without giving up any clarity. My thinking here is limiting the components that color the sound. The Boulder 508 and ARC Reference 6 receive rave reviews for their transparency. The Koetsu and my currently Mac amp will add warmth. Eventually, I expect the M900u will do the same but with even better detail.
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mayoradamwest OP
430 posts
 
I’ve had the ARC Reference 6 in the system for a few days now and all I can say is ... wow. Way more improvement than I had imagined. It’s clear I’ve not touched the limit of capability from the Mytek Manhattan II DAC yet. Not only is the soundstage huge, it’s as if the Ref 6 uncovered an entire bass octave they C47 wasn’t showing me. The realism is unbelievable.  That said, the Rega TT sounds pretty much the same. Maybe a slight improvement. I suspect the C47 was already capable of handling it. Can’t wait for the new TT, Cart, and Phono stage to arrive in a couple weeks. In the interim, it’s as if I have a brand new DAC!
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