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Turntable recommendations

Looking to upgrade my Marantz tt51 built by clear audio. Thought I have been very happy with it other than the cartridge getting bent. Which I replaced with a Soundsmith Mimic Star. I am looking to make my final tt purchase and want to make sure I get a significant upgrade to justify the money spent. $ range 4-9000 ish inc to earn. I know it’s a big spread, and prefer not spend more than I need to to make my final jump, though I don’t want to box myself in at a too low of price point and I really want to be satisfied. My current gear, primaLuna hp premium integrated amp, focal Electra 1028 Be, Luxman D-n150., soundsmith mk II phono stage. It wasn’t until I added the CD player in almost Gave up on cd’s made me realize I believe there could be improvement on tt. Any help would be appreciated. Anyone know about Vertere? 
128x128tastypeter
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Kuzma table, Origin Live arm, whichever combination of models you can afford. $4k table, $5k arm, etc. 

How do you like your Soundsmith? Moving iron seems the way to go.
tastypeter's avatar
tastypeter OP
18 posts
 
Thanks for the recommendations, not a lover of the tube look. But I see they have others. I’ll go check them out.

i am very happy with my soundSmith, I did feel a noticeable difference when going to it. It also has an amazing warranty, only 20% of the cost to re do from mfg. can’t beat that
mgattmch
558 posts
 
I have a Michell Engineering GyroDec fitted with an SME IV tonearm and Clear Audio Maestro V2 Ebony cartridge. Not only does this TT setup look visually stunning it is also audibly stunning IMHO. More details about my return to analog after a 35 year absence can be found in this post:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/second-system-that-sounds-and-looks-spectacular-i-am-there

I have just replaced the McIntosh C50 preamp/DAC, in the above system, with a C52. Much to my surprise a big improvement in SQ, my wife also immediately noticed the change. So, I think it fair to say I am not deluding myself here.

If you want to hear how good vinyl can be; try the MFSL Ultradisc recording of Bob Dylan’s Blood On The Tracks. Sounds just like a master tape, on the right system, breathtaking on first hearing. Interestingly, never thought of myself as a Bob Dylan fan, that changed immediately on first hearing this disc!

Marcus
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