Pro-Ject Xtension 9 Evolution

[damacman]

FWIW, I kept my mint SL 1300 Mk2 when I bought the Avenger. I pulled the DV10x5 off the 1300 and put it on the Avenger until I got the Cadenza Black for the Avenger ( I have a C200 with the Ortofon SUT).

So ... the DV10x5 is so damn good my plan went right out the window ...

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by damacman

Pete ... ya' know, that h/k is s damn fine machine. And, that platform - wow!

Why not just put the Cadenza Black on it and upgrade to the phono pre you want? I've not looked at the eff mass of the arm on the h/k and how that matched up to the compliance of the cartridge, but if it's a go why not?

You can still upgrade the tt later ... or ... you may find that unnecessary ...

damacman....The effective mass of the H/K T60 tonearm is 8g. The rated compliance of the Ortofon Cadenza black is specified as follows:

Compliance, dynamic, lateral: 16um/mN

I confess that I don't know if this constitutes a "good match", or not.

Thoughts?

[damacman]

https://www.ortofon.com/support/supp...nce-frequency/

The Black weighs in at 10.7g

Looks like its right in the sweet spot!

[prepress]

Vintage Pete,

Believing that, around here, I'm probably one of the few who agonizes and pours over buying decisions for prolonged periods , it's quite possible you're close to buying something. Are you, or are you still in the research/analysis stage (that's what I call it)?

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by prepress

Vintage Pete,

Believing that, around here, I'm probably one of the few who agonizes and pours over buying decisions for prolonged periods , it's quite possible you're close to buying something. Are you, or are you still in the research/analysis stage (that's what I call it)?

Charles....I guess it could be said that I'm still in that "research/analysis stage"....

My thinking went from the Xtension 9 to the 10 to the VPI Prime signature Rosewood and back around that same circle again!

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Charles....I guess it could be said that I'm still in that "research/analysis stage"....

My thinking went from the Xtension 9 to the 10 to the VPI Prime signature Rosewood and back around that same circle again!

I'm having that same issue now with equipment racks. Not the brand (Salamander Synergy), but the options. I'd thought how nice cherry/black looked, but then thought walnut/black because that matched the room's general color scheme better. Then I saw an all-Mac system in a black/aluminum rack configuration on Salamander's website and thought how cool that was, and immediately wanted it. I even thought of getting more Mac pieces to go with it (tuner and blu-ray player). That'll change, I'm sure, if only because I can't afford and don't need them. But that black/aluminum setup is in my head now.

As for your turntable choices, be glad it's only three! Of the three, I'd get the Xtension 12 . I want the detachable headshell, and don't particularly like pictures of the Xtension 10 Signature I've seen, because of the tonearm. I don't like the VPI Prime design, so it's a non-starter for me.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by prepress

I'm having that same issue now with equipment racks. Not the brand (Salamander Synergy), but the options. I'd thought how nice cherry/black looked, but then thought walnut/black because that matched the room's general color scheme better. Then I saw an all-Mac system in a black/aluminum rack configuration on Salamander's website and thought how cool that was, and immediately wanted it. I even thought of getting more Mac pieces to go with it (tuner and blu-ray player). That'll change, I'm sure, if only because I can't afford and don't need them. But that black/aluminum setup is in my head now.

As for your turntable choices, be glad it's only three! Of the three, I'd get the Xtension 12 . I want the detachable headshell, and don't particularly like pictures of the Xtension 10 Signature I've seen, because of the tonearm. I don't like the VPI Prime design, so it's a non-starter for me.

No easy decisions here! It seems I've seen more than one version of the Xtension 12, with different arms-one with and one without the detachable headshell. Then there is the Signature 12, a beautiful table with a detachable shell. But then the issue becomes the dust cover. Some tables, including the pro-ject signature 12 and the VPI prime signature, do not offer the standard hinged dust cover, which I like. And, depending on the table, I may have to have a new turntable platform made. I'm somewhat limited in depth with my current one, which I've had for about 45 years.

Yeah...there is only one solution to empty rack spaces!

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

No easy decisions here! It seems I've seen more than one version of the Xtension 12, with different arms-one with and one without the detachable headshell. Then there is the Signature 12, a beautiful table with a detachable shell. But then the issue becomes the dust cover. Some tables, including the pro-ject signature 12 and the VPI prime signature, do not offer the standard hinged dust cover, which I like. And, depending on the table, I may have to have a new turntable platform made. I'm somewhat limited in depth with my current one, which I've had for about 45 years.

Yeah...there is only one solution to empty rack spaces!

The 12 lets you choose your arm, whereas the 10 is a package. I didn't know the 12 didn't come with a dust cover; that's unfortunate. I suppose you could choose whatever fits what you have and go with that.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by prepress

The 12 lets you choose your arm, whereas the 10 is a package. I didn't know the 12 didn't come with a dust cover; that's unfortunate. I suppose you could choose whatever fits what you have and go with that.

These model numbers and combinations are a bit confusing. I think the deal on the dust cover is that the Xtension 12 has a hinged dust cover, but the Signature 12 does not. I'm not a big fan of these tables that, if you want a dust cover you have to go with one of those huge covers that go completely around the outside of the TT and sits on the same surface that the TT feet sit on. It takes up too much real estate and doesn't look very good IMO. That's one complaint I have with the VPI Prime signature, for example.

[Formerly YB-2]

Have used one of these and thought it was quite nice. I preferred to the 'big box' dust covers. No idea if it would fit the TT/TA you are talking about. Might have to drill another hole for the spindle to clear you TA. Not a big deal.
https://elusivedisc.com/audioshield-...ut-turntables/