Clearaudio Ovation

[Marco1]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

Koestu compliance is a bit low for CA arms.....put's the resonance freq. up around 16Hz.....not so good spec wise! Shoot for 8-12Hz give or take a smidge

Jeff, thanks for alerting me regarding the potential mismatch. I had concerns as well using a low compliance cart like the Koetsu with the Clarify arm.

[Marco1]

Originally Posted by mulveling

The Koetsu compliance numbers are @100Hz; their @10Hz equivalent (used by the online resonance calculators) will be higher -- roughly by a factor of 1.5x to 2x, at least according to resfreq.com.

So instead of 16Hz, you're looking at around 11.8Hz to 13.7Hz for a 9g Rosewood, which is much more acceptable.

I'm wondering about Clearaudio/Koetsu matching myself, since I've got a new Clearaudio table in sight and am considering either a Magnify or Universal arm. Though, with a Clarify, I'd be concerned about how a heavy/low-compliance Koetsu would react to the pure magnetic bearing -- that's just one more opportunity for a nasty resonance to wreak havoc.

I'm currently using my Koetsu with a Fidelity Research FR64fx, which is a great match, but this Clearaudio gear has such impressive build quality, and I'd like to move to a modern arm. I figure I'd pick up an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze (great cart even for a Koetsu lover) if the Koetsu doesn't work out great; I know the Cadenza/Magnify is a great pairing.

I'd be very interested in the Koetsu match-up as well. I hadn’t really thought about the magnetic bearing in the Clarify exacerbating the problem, but at this juncture until I can find someone that has sucessfully mated the two I think I'll hold off.

I am interested in your statement about picking up an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and that it would be a "great cart even for a Koetsu lover". I always viewed Ortofon and Koetsu as kind off polar opposites. Could you elaberate a little more?

Thanks, Mark

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by Marco1

I'd be very interested in the Koetsu match-up as well. I hadn’t really thought about the magnetic bearing in the Clarify exacerbating the problem, but at this juncture until I can find someone that has sucessfully mated the two I think I'll hold off.

I am interested in your statement about picking up an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze and that it would be a "great cart even for a Koetsu lover". I always viewed Ortofon and Koetsu as kind off polar opposites. Could you elaberate a little more?

Thanks, Mark

Sorry guys, but I ended up going with an Innovation Wood and Graham Phantom Supreme -- an assured good match to a wide range of cartridges

Perhaps someday my dealer will tire of his 12" Universal and let me borrow it!

It'll be interesting to see how much this analog overhaul changes my system equation. I'm finally moving on from my "starter" table -- a SOTA Star III w/ Fidelity Research arm.

It's true that the Ortofon and Koetsu are typically quite different. However, the Kontrapunkt c and (its successor) Cadenza Bronze are warmer than their siblings. The midrange sounds slightly warm and fat for an Ortofon, but clean and neutral (and only a touch lean) compared to a Koetsu. They're a touch more airy and "sparkly" up top than a Koetsu, but they also don't have the hot treble that bothered me on the Jubilee & Windfeld MC (in my setup, at least). As is typical for the upper-range Ortofons, bass quality and impact is superb -- this particular aspect improves drastically as you go up the line, and by the time you hit the Cadenza Bronze it's superb. Overall it offers a nice blend of attributes.

The Cadenza Red has a similar signature, but with lessened bass impact and a slightly leaner midrange. It's a lovely cart for the money (much better than the very good MM Black), but the Bronze is a worthy upgrade. I haven't heard the Cadenza Blue.

[Marco1]

That's a beautiful combination, one that should make your Koetsu as well as many other cartridges shine. Enjoy.

Regards, Mark

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by Marco1

That's a beautiful combination, one that should make your Koetsu as well as many other cartridges shine. Enjoy.

Regards, Mark

Thanks Mark!
It took a while -- and a listen to the Compact -- to "warm up" to the modern Clearaudio sound, but now that I hear the "fuzziness" & smear in my old table/arm, I gotta move on!

The Compact, essentially setup in my prior speaker system, was revelatory in detail and clarity. It wasn't "false" detail; rather than pushing an analytical or fatiguing sound, it significantly enhanced the musical experience. This was all with a Cadenza Red, which I wound't have guessed was capability of extracting that level of detail (having previously owned the Kontra a, c, Jubilee, and Windfeld).

[tom_hankins]

Originally Posted by mulveling

Sorry guys, but I ended up going with an Innovation Wood and Graham Phantom Supreme -- an assured good match to a wide range of cartridges

Perhaps someday my dealer will tire of his 12" Universal and let me borrow it!

It'll be interesting to see how much this analog overhaul changes my system equation. I'm finally moving on from my "starter" table -- a SOTA Star III w/ Fidelity Research arm.

It's true that the Ortofon and Koetsu are typically quite different. However, the Kontrapunkt c and (its successor) Cadenza Bronze are warmer than their siblings. The midrange sounds slightly warm and fat for an Ortofon, but clean and neutral (and only a touch lean) compared to a Koetsu. They're a touch more airy and "sparkly" up top than a Koetsu, but they also don't have the hot treble that bothered me on the Jubilee & Windfeld MC (in my setup, at least). As is typical for the upper-range Ortofons, bass quality and impact is superb -- this particular aspect improves drastically as you go up the line, and by the time you hit the Cadenza Bronze it's superb. Overall it offers a nice blend of attributes.

The Cadenza Red has a similar signature, but with lessened bass impact and a slightly leaner midrange. It's a lovely cart for the money (much better than the very good MM Black), but the Bronze is a worthy upgrade. I haven't heard the Cadenza Blue.

Huge Congrats Mike! When do you think everything will be home and set up?

[mulveling]

Originally Posted by tom_hankins

Huge Congrats Mike! When do you think everything will be home and set up?

Thanks Tom! I'm guessing/hoping late this upcoming week; I'll query for more info today. Of course, now my transitional phono stage could be hopelessly outclassed (Eddie Current Transcription w/ Cinemag 1131). I'd like a balanced tube unit, which doesn't leave too many options (the BAT looks extremely nice, of course). I'll have to address that in the future, since all audio funds are bust for a while.

BTW, what have you got brewing in your analog system?

[tom_hankins]

Originally Posted by mulveling

Thanks Tom! I'm guessing/hoping late this upcoming week; I'll query for more info today. Of course, now my transitional phono stage could be hopelessly outclassed (Eddie Current Transcription w/ Cinemag 1131). I'd like a balanced tube unit, which doesn't leave too many options (the BAT looks extremely nice, of course). I'll have to address that in the future, since all audio funds are bust for a while.

BTW, what have you got brewing in your analog system?

Weighing my options right now.