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The best TT system for under 30K

Hi agoners! 

I have been floored by Kuzma Stabi XL DC with 4 points TA on a recent audition. It was extremely analog sounding, insane details with speed, beat and clarity that made me wonder if I am listening to a live concert, just can’t help my toe tapping. Was comparing the sound to the top of the line Accuphase CD player with the same rest of system and it was no contest. 

Switching from Accuphase CD player to Kuzma XL DC was sounding like adding a pair of subwoofer and going up 2-3 levels on the rest of the system. Mind you the rest of the system was Accuphase E-650 class A integrated that should favor the Accuphase same brand CD player but that wasn’t the case. The speaker was Kerr Acoustics K300 under 10K entry level bookshelf and the sound of the entire entry level system armed with Kuzma XL DC beat the hell out of the entire super high end system the dealer has on the other listening room with Avalon PM3 speakers, Accuphase A-250 monos, Audionet Stern Preamp with Accuphase CD player. 

However obviously I cannot afford the whole set of Kuzma XL DC considering I am also in the process of upgrading my existing system. What will be the closest contender in the US$30.000 retail price range that has the same sonic signature as Kuzma XL DC? 

Thanks in advance for any advices!!
uwiikz
terry9
2,333 posts
 
I agree, a good decision. Good luck!
terry9
2,333 posts
 
@chakster , you really need to lighten up. And that paragraph about a $3K used machine outperforming the big Kuzma is a matter for medication.
uwiikz OP
89 posts
 
@terry9 , I did some research on your recommendation on the ultrasonic cleaner... damn I want that, all in or all out right? For the meantime I am looking for cheaper cartridge to learn with, care to suggest? Not looking to spend more than $1500 for the “learning phase” cartridge and perhaps on this case I’ll heed to the “buy used” suggestion suggested by @chakster . 
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
You have a great attitude. People drive themselves crazy agonizing when it never does any good. Especially not with turntables where everything in your price range is freaking amazing, spellbinding, and let's face it  impossible to beat other than with experienced tweakery. By which I mean things like the table/rack, which you already know. Then when you figure out your cartridge and phono stage, the magic gets even more, er, magical.

With cleaners, the best I know is the Walker Enzyme 4 Step. This was recommended to me by Tom Port at Better-records.com easily the best sounding records on Earth and it sure seems to be the best cleaning system, what're the odds? 
uwiikz OP
89 posts
 
@chakster , I personally do not have problem with dealer doing big mark up as long as it’s staying within comparison to other dealers/staying within the scope of international RRP then all is good in my book. Everyone needs to make a living and decent one considering the investment made by retailers/dealers. One cannot compare “normal” profit margin for somebody selling potato and rice to somebody selling high end audio, potato and rice sells multiple time in a day and high end dealers are lucky to sell one gear in a day while both businesses model still have the same overhead to cover. I think it’s normal and justifiable if high end audio dealers are making 50-70% profit (they do get big discounts from factory) and I think it’s normal for somebody selling potato and rice to make 5%-10% profit. Again, all are my personal opinion which might worth something and might be worthless.
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