The Most Controversial Question

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by joeinid

I think the "Statement" above kind of answers your question

That was my thought as well....that says it all, I think.

Pete

[joeinid]

Ivan,

Also you mentioned in another thread comparing the 089 to the MCD1100, aesthetics aside, you did not seem head over heels favoring the 089 over the MCD1100. Meaning the Mac held its own at one half to one third the price of the 089. So it's not like you HAD to have the 089 to the exclusion of the MCD1100. Just my take on the results of your test. To me, I think deep down you secretly lust over the Statement TT over the Burmester gear.

Now, maybe a 909 and an 077 with ext PS might be a different story on the right speakers. Add the Statement TT and either the Burmester phono pre or something better and that might quench that thirst.

Joe

[Masterlu]

Thanks for the different perspective guys; one could even say both formats are on the way out, but that won't influence me.

I do have considerably more Silver discs than Black ones, and part of me agrees with the Burm twins.

This would be in another new System, probably in the Cape upstairs.

[Tonepub]

If you don't have a major collection of exquisite pressings the big bucks turntable is a complete waste of money. You won't hear the diff between what you have now and the Statement to a major extent. If you're just buying remasters and off the shelf used stuff I wouldn't bother.

If you want a work of art, definitely but as a major improvement sound wise over what you have, I'd invest the 200k for a statement in the rare records that most can no longer afford to purchase. First stamper original pressings of your favorite five hundred records. Good software is becoming more and more unobtainable. The difference in sound quality even with the table you have would be staggering compared to the miniscule improvement you'll get going to a statement with your current setup.

That's how I'd spend the money.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by tonepub

If you don't have a major collection of exquisite pressings the big bucks turntable is a complete waste of money. You won't hear the diff between what you have now and the Statement to a major extent. If you're just buying remasters and off the shelf used stuff I wouldn't bother.

If you want a work of art, definitely but as a major improvement sound wise over what you have, I'd invest the 200k for a statement in the rare records that most can no longer afford to purchase. First stamper original pressings of your favorite five hundred records. Good software is becoming more and more unobtainable. The difference in sound quality even with the table you have would be staggering compared to the miniscule improvement you'll get going to a statement with your current setup.

That's how I'd spend the money.

Thanks Jeff, that's what I need to hear.

[Rilands]

That turntable looks amazing. A definite conversation piece for anyone that would be lucky enough to be in the same room, audiophile or not.

[PHC1]

For the price of the statement, you can have the 088, 089, 2x911MK3 and a basis audio inspiration table. I also don't think the price of statement will be justifiable on the difference between the innovation wood you already have.

I'd try something completely different though, in fact I just did and am very happy.

[kfr01]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Ivan...I would go with the 089 or the 088 over the Statement turntable. My logic is as follows: first of all your Clearaudio Innovation Wood tt is phenomenal and you get amazing sound as it is from that table with the Universal tonearm and the top of the line Clearaudio carts you have fitted on there. The price of admission for the sonic benefits beyond what the Innovation Wood already delivers for that last 5% is an incremental $140K. Not to mention if you pay up for that last 5% your next limiting factor will be the Aesthetix Rhea Signature phono which you would have to upgrade and so on. It will snowball into an incremental $150-$175K for maybe 5%-10% improvement in the sound. The law of deminishing returns at this level becomes steep. Also, to justify $150K, for me personally, I would want to have an LP library in the thousands, and have the tt be my primary source of music. Again this is my logic as it applies to how I would think about it. You may think about it differently.

I think either of the Burmester gear (089 CD/DAC or the 088 preamp) while expensive will give you a sufficiently different sonic signature (a different flavor if you will) from your core MacIntosh gear that the price of admission for that different flavor can be more easily justified. Just my 2 cents.

Is Cyril ever wrong?

+1 to his post.

[Amfibius]

Wow Ivan, I can not even aspire to play in that league. I have no experience with the Burmester so I won't comment, but I have played with that Clearaudio. That weight is like a big pendulum that doesn't seem to stop once it has started - so that would be my only concern. If I had that kind of money, I would be looking at a Continuum Caliburn. I have heard a few Caliburns now, and they are amazing.

[TommyC]

For the price of the Statement, you can go for 808 MK5 and 069. This combo should be even better than the 089/088.