Its Spring again and Tax season is over so its time to upgrade the stereo system. Last summer I purchased a Clearaudio Concept table with a V2 Performer cartridge and Nano phono amp. I have been really happy with this setup so but I knew that there is room for improvements. I really want to take things to the next level of performance on the Analog side. For the past 6 to 8 months I have hardly listened to digital tracks from my Bifrost. The turntable has been taking priority as I am liking the analog sound of vinyl much better. There is just a better sense of open-ness and life to the music on vinyl to me.
So about 2 weeks ago I called my dealer that I purchased the Clearaudio and Exposure gear from and started discussing upgrades for the phono path. I don't want to do any lateral or small changes to my system. I want to make a big leap in performance. I spoke to Slippers about this one that I will not be throwing away money on FOTM products anymore. They just eat cash that could be used on better products. I will be looking at upgrading the cartridge, phono preamp and possibly new interconnect cables in the coming weeks.
A week ago Friday I took my table over to my dealer and had him install a Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge which is two steps up the MM line. It has 20+ hours on it now and Wow! I can't believe how much more information it pulling out of the record grooves. There is much improved channel separation and imaging. Players are more defined and focused. More fullness and separation of instruments. Detail out the WaZoo. I am hearing backing vocals on 35+ old albums that I have never heard before and other things like missing instruments and more room accoustics. The soundstage has expanded from front to back allowing the performer to sound more in their soundspace instead being more forward. And the cartridge is not fully broke in yet. So I think I am happy with this cartridge. The next thing is to look for a better phono preamp. I will auditioning three units. First up is the Primare R32 and it will be followed by the Clearaudio Basic Plus and a Rogue Aris. I have the Primare hooked up now and I will be trying for a couple of days to see what more information it can wring out the Virtuoso than what my present Nano can do. Which it is a pretty impressive unit on its own.
Here are a couple shots of the Primare R32. It's a Beast!:
So far the Primare is performing well but I am not sure how much of an improvement it is over the Nano at this time. Hopefully a couple of days of being powered on will get it to open up a bit more? I think the one I will try out after the Primare will be the Basic Plus followed by the Rogue Aris which is twice the price of the Basic Plus. The Primare is in them middle pricewise at $1500. After I pick a phono amp I will looking at interconnects. I currently have my eye on trying the Kimber Kabel Silver Steak which uses both silver and copper wire in its construction to see what improvements it can make to my system.
So about 2 weeks ago I called my dealer that I purchased the Clearaudio and Exposure gear from and started discussing upgrades for the phono path. I don't want to do any lateral or small changes to my system. I want to make a big leap in performance. I spoke to Slippers about this one that I will not be throwing away money on FOTM products anymore. They just eat cash that could be used on better products. I will be looking at upgrading the cartridge, phono preamp and possibly new interconnect cables in the coming weeks.
A week ago Friday I took my table over to my dealer and had him install a Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge which is two steps up the MM line. It has 20+ hours on it now and Wow! I can't believe how much more information it pulling out of the record grooves. There is much improved channel separation and imaging. Players are more defined and focused. More fullness and separation of instruments. Detail out the WaZoo. I am hearing backing vocals on 35+ old albums that I have never heard before and other things like missing instruments and more room accoustics. The soundstage has expanded from front to back allowing the performer to sound more in their soundspace instead being more forward. And the cartridge is not fully broke in yet. So I think I am happy with this cartridge. The next thing is to look for a better phono preamp. I will auditioning three units. First up is the Primare R32 and it will be followed by the Clearaudio Basic Plus and a Rogue Aris. I have the Primare hooked up now and I will be trying for a couple of days to see what more information it can wring out the Virtuoso than what my present Nano can do. Which it is a pretty impressive unit on its own.
Here are a couple shots of the Primare R32. It's a Beast!:
So far the Primare is performing well but I am not sure how much of an improvement it is over the Nano at this time. Hopefully a couple of days of being powered on will get it to open up a bit more? I think the one I will try out after the Primare will be the Basic Plus followed by the Rogue Aris which is twice the price of the Basic Plus. The Primare is in them middle pricewise at $1500. After I pick a phono amp I will looking at interconnects. I currently have my eye on trying the Kimber Kabel Silver Steak which uses both silver and copper wire in its construction to see what improvements it can make to my system.