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  #1  
Old 12-25-2012, 02:03 PM
miziq miziq is offline
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Default Clearaudio Concept impressions

Interesting sum up:

Mono and Stereo: Clearaudio Concept turntable review test sum up
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  #2  
Old 12-25-2012, 05:12 PM
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Nice write up, thanks.
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  #3  
Old 12-26-2012, 04:14 PM
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I'm considering getting one. Is the cartridge that comes with it good enough for starter?
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Old 01-19-2013, 08:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miketuason View Post
I'm considering getting one. Is the cartridge that comes with it good enough for starter?
Mike,
I have had one for over a year. But I would careful with the "starter" TT categorization. I consider the starter term suitable for a lower priced TT, say around $300-600. The Concept is a true giant killer. As previously mentioned it greatly benefits from an MC Cart. I have a Benz Micro on mine and it sounds stellar to me. I listen to just about all kinds of music but I am firmly in the classical/jazz camp with a love of voice as well.

If you want to say that I prefer the midrange or some upper bass flavor, so be it. But I prefer warmth to coolness. I have Quicksilver V4's and an Audible Illusions M3A. As Chuck Heston used to say about his guns; ditto for me with Concept, it's not leaving my listening room any time soon.
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Old 01-22-2013, 11:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drjjpdc View Post
Mike,
I have had one for over a year. But I would careful with the "starter" TT categorization. I consider the starter term suitable for a lower priced TT, say around $300-600. The Concept is a true giant killer. As previously mentioned it greatly benefits from an MC Cart. I have a Benz Micro on mine and it sounds stellar to me. I listen to just about all kinds of music but I am firmly in the classical/jazz camp with a love of voice as well.

If you want to say that I prefer the midrange or some upper bass flavor, so be it. But I prefer warmth to coolness. I have Quicksilver V4's and an Audible Illusions M3A. As Chuck Heston used to say about his guns; ditto for me with Concept, it's not leaving my listening room any time soon.
Thanks for the input drjjpdc, after further of reading, talking to audiophile people, and finally listening to a friend concept with an MC cart. I am sold, I will get one soon. I think this would be a great addition to my McIntosh C2300 tube pre, a pair of vintage McIntosh C2100 set to mono, and a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Sig. II. I also listen to all type of jazz from fission to progressive to big band to modern jazz, and some Latin jazz too. After I get my Concept, I have to choose for a descent MC cart. What do you recommend? Thanks.

Mike
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Last edited by miketuason; 01-22-2013 at 12:56 PM.
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Old 01-26-2013, 04:00 PM
markmck79 markmck79 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miketuason View Post

Thanks for the input drjjpdc, after further of reading, talking to audiophile people, and finally listening to a friend concept with an MC cart. I am sold, I will get one soon. I think this would be a great addition to my McIntosh C2300 tube pre, a pair of vintage McIntosh C2100 set to mono, and a pair of Vandersteen 2CE Sig. II. I also listen to all type of jazz from fission to progressive to big band to modern jazz, and some Latin jazz too. After I get my Concept, I have to choose for a descent MC cart. What do you recommend? Thanks.

Mike
Mike-

It looks like no one has responded to your question about MC cartridges... The entry-level Clearaudio cartridges are very good and obviously have good synergy. In my experience, though, the lower level Benz MCs (Ace, Glider, etc) perform better and have a very high price to performance ratio. In the US both brands have the same distributor so it is common to find a dealer that carries both and often can provide advice or a demonstration of the two together.
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  #7  
Old 10-18-2018, 07:49 PM
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Default Move Up From Concept Wood MC?

I’ve been happily living with a Concept Wood MC for the past two years but wondering where to go for a material upgrade at a reasonable price? Does it make sense to move up to the Ovation? Is there a noticeable improvement in performance? Currently using an iPhono II phono pre. Would be open to changing that up as well.
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Old 01-27-2013, 04:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drjjpdc View Post
Mike,
I have had one for over a year. But I would careful with the "starter" TT categorization. I consider the starter term suitable for a lower priced TT, say around $300-600. The Concept is a true giant killer. As previously mentioned it greatly benefits from an MC Cart. I have a Benz Micro on mine and it sounds stellar to me. I listen to just about all kinds of music but I am firmly in the classical/jazz camp with a love of voice as well.

If you want to say that I prefer the midrange or some upper bass flavor, so be it. But I prefer warmth to coolness. I have Quicksilver V4's and an Audible Illusions M3A. As Chuck Heston used to say about his guns; ditto for me with Concept, it's not leaving my listening room any time soon.
I have a Concept also that I use for a mono deck. I agree it's excellent, but if you have a model with the steel spiked feet, it is very very susceptible to footfalls. If you contact Musical Surroundings, you should be able to order the newer rubber feet and also the metal rather than delrin subplatter.

The arm on the Concept is excellent.
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  #9  
Old 12-27-2012, 06:03 PM
miziq miziq is offline
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Good for starter, but even Denon DL 103 will give you a big jump in performance.
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Old 12-27-2012, 07:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miziq View Post
Good for starter, but even Denon DL 103 will give you a big jump in performance.
The Denon DL 103 is not the best match compliance wise with the Verify arm.....it puts the Resonant Frequency up a bit high at around 16Hz......your better off with a higher compliant cartridge with the Concept, the Concept MC is nice and a big jump up from the MM version.
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