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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
solypsa's avatar
solypsa
462 posts
 
This thread took a nasty turn however the OP did get a lot of relevant advise. Awesome good deal on the Miyajima cart. I've setup many and they are indeed quite nice. With the 4pt *eventually* you may find other carts give you a little more resolution but at higher costs.

Enjoy the records! Setup and small details matter so please keep posting on the progress!


honeyooi
126 posts
 
@uwiikz....Get yourself automatic tonearm lifter so you don’t have to rush over when record ending .
https://www.audioadvice.com/integrityhifi-tru-lift.html.
also Kansui is low output so figure it out you got to have phono gain least 60db or better 65db .
Gong Xi Fa chai my friend and enjoy listening .
stay safe 

uwiikz OP
89 posts
 
@solypsa thanks for the encouragement, I am enjoying it to the max and can’t stop smiling right now. Just having another thought about just sticking with Kerr K300 and not bother with K100 since the K300 is a proven performer already in my room, as @rauliruegas suggested I probably better off adding a couple of subs than waiting around for 4 months and 4X the cost of K300 with no audition experience on the K100, but I am wondering if A-250 and C-2850 will be overkill for entry level K300. Today I home auditioned the K300 vs my existing SF Guarneri Evo driven by E-650 and Kuzma XL. Not even close, K300 wind hands down.
uwiikz OP
89 posts
 
@honeyooi . Gong Xi Fa Chai my friend, may the year of the Ox bring prosperity and happiness for you and family for the years to come. 
The automatic tonearm lift is something new to me but it looked like Godsend contraption. Since yesterday I have run over to my LP a few times after I failed to realize the track has ended. 
uwiikz OP
89 posts
 
Just added new photo of the entire system. Too happy today
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