Rega RP8 Clearaudio Concept Wood or...?


I ended up with an RP8 in kind of a round about way. I was looking to put the 808 tonearm on my Technics 1200 (replacing an SME arm that had happily lived there for a number of years) in what can only be described as the kind of unnecessary any-ness that occasionally causes me to get rid of gear I love.

I tend to have some heavier/lower compliance cartridges (like the Zu 103 and AT 150MLX) that made a heavier counterweight necessary. I went with the Groovetracer. But, it would not work on the 1200. So, I ended up with the rest of the RP8 and then a DV 20X2L, and have honestly never been that happy with it.

I have the 1200 now with a Jelco arm and the Zu 103 in the second system, but keep kind of dragging that back in because I just have not found a happy place with the Rega (which, as a side note, I really want to like).

So I have been looking around for a replacement. I'm thinking about the Clearaudio Concept Wood with the MC cartridge. I'm wondering if anyone out there has heard that and the RP8.

I briefly had a Pro-Ject 5.1SE with a Sumiko Blue Point in my house for a bit (I had found it at an estate sale and offered to a friend before listening to it) and found it to be totally enjoyable and a steal at the price I found it. Going thinking seems to be that the Pro-Jects weaken as you move up the line, but I would love to hear if anyone has had good experiences with their nicer decks.

Any others in that $3000ish range are more than welcome recommendations.

The rest of the system:

Rogue Audio Sphinx
Musical Surroundings Phenomena II Phono Pre
Wyred4Sound DAC
Mac Mini
Kef LS50s
Zu Undertone Subwoofer
Mostly Zu cable
tjnindc
Tjnindc, "Going thinking seems to be that the Pro-Jects weaken as you move up the line, but I would love to hear if anyone has had good experiences with their nicer decks."

I am not sure who is thinking this, but I think the Pro-ject Extension 10 and 12 are great turntables for their price, and real bargains that get overlooked.

If you like to change thinge things up and you like low compliance cartridges, the Extension 12 will take a 12 inch Ortofon tonearm, which is a match for many low compliance cartridges, especially the SPU cartridges. Sometimes the Extension 12 will show up on Audiogon as a used or demo item.

You have a bice system. Good luck with your search.
Yeah, I'm really curious about the Xtension tables, especially the 10. I like their cartridges and clearly enjoyed the 5.1. Hard to find a place to hear them, but maybe a road trip is in order.
I am running a VPI Scout with the JMW 9 arm and the ZU/DL103 cartridge. It sounds wonderful going through a Bob's Devices SUT and my Audible Illusions Modulus 3B Tube pre.