Congrats Paul, great choice. :thumbsup:

You will be set & happy for a very, very long time Paul. Great decision & choice in cartridge too.

I don't see it in your signature, but a bit of advise from a long time vinyl lover & someone who took a while to heed reviews and owners comments -- invest in an ultra sonic cleaner. I guarantee you will NEVER say that was a waste or terrible purchase. Your new analog gear will also respond appropriately.

Best Sir,

Bob

+1 to Bobs suggestion!

Paul,

Congrats on the purchase of your new Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable with 9 inch arm and Da Vinci Cart.

It will be an absolute delight.

I also have a Clearaudio table and I have a few suggestions.

There are four things that I did that significantly improved my analog experience that you may want to consider.

1. I put it on top of an HRS SXR signature rack with an M3X shelf. Really helped isolate the table from the rest of the room. This is strongly recommended, but depending on your room, may not be mandatory.
2. Clearaudio peripheral ring clamp, a must IMO.
3. Stillpoints LPI, also a must IMO.
4. Audiodesk Pro Ultrasonic RCM, an absolute must. I think the KL Audio cleaner would work well too, but the Audiodesk was more what I was looking for. I have a VPI 16.5, and although it does a great job, it doesn't get deep into the groove and clean like the Audiodesk (or KL Audio for that matter). My records sound so much better after they go through the Audiodesk.


Once you hit these 4 points (assuming you already have a phono stage), you are set for life. The table you just purchased will outlive you. My table is by far my favorite piece in my system.

Enjoy!:music::music::music:

Congratulations on a beautiful table.

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the encouragement and advice. Aditya and Bob, the RCM will probably be the next big move (Bob, your writeup on that Audio Desk Pro really laid things out well), and we definitely have the Stillpoints clamp and CA ring on the radar. I'm probably set with the rack for the foreseeable future, but will see what happens when we get things dialed in. We're getting close to getting a few other things settled in the system, and I'm really looking forward to listening, even before the TT makes it over from Germany.

I am a new Clearaudio Innovation Compact Wood/U9 owner now running a Koetsu RSP, have the ring clamp on order. I use a scuttle 3 which is a great isolation device. I am using the HRS Heavy record clamp and have been thrilled with the performance, better than the vpi with ring clamp. Will the stillpoints weight make a big difference on a clearaudio table, have you tried the HRS? I also want to second the fact the an Audiodesk is a must. Ridiculously expensive, but takes the OCD out of record collecting and playing. Changed the way I heard vinyl forever, like my Vpi Aries, and now my Innovation CW. Amazing deck and arm.

The anticipation mounts - unit has been shipped from Germany. A $24.99 cartridge was delivered yesterday; I won't be practicing mounting techniques with the da Vinci, that's for sure!

What is the difference between Sixstream Super Wire and Direct Silver Wire?

LOL! I'm not even sure I could find a $25 cartridge to bolt to that Clearaudio if I tried. Looking forward to your thoughts on this great turntable (after upgrading the cartridge).