Clearaudio Concept TT - Concept MC or Maestro MM Recommendations

E4T · « **on:** 9 May 2011, 08:16 am »

I am about to purchase a Clearaudio Concept TT and cannot decide between fitting it with the Concept MC or the Maestro Wood MM. Can anyone here push me one way or the other? I cannot find many (or any) reviews of the MC. Both of these cartridges come priced at a discount with the Concept.

I am set/decided on the table as I want a "starter" audiophile table and I need it to work on 110v AND 220v (US and Africa). I am not aware of another table with a DC motor that has gotten the raves this table has for the price. My set up is basic and I also plan on buying the Clearaudio Nano MM/MC phono stage (I'll upgrade later).

Anyway, mostly interested in feedback on the cartridges. Suggestions between the two? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Photon46 · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 May 2011, 09:59 am »

There has been a great deal of enthusiastic recommendation for the Maestro in many audio forums for many years, it would be one of my top choices if I wanted a MM cartridge. I don't imagine you'd have too much to worry about buying either. In an all Clearaudio system, synergy should be a reasonable assurance. Reading the advertising copy for the Concept makes one think that you could expect the usual MC sonic signature vs a MM design, which do you prefer? One other thing that might be a consideration is that budget phono stages are usually going to have a better signal to noise ratio when used with a higher output MM design. Having the noise floor as low as possible is a major plus to me, background hiss in a system drives me crazy. I'd ask the retailer their experience with this factor.

E4T · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 May 2011, 10:20 am »

Good points, especially the phono stage. I had planned on going with the Clearaudio Nano MM/MC as a starting place. The specs seem like it can handle it (maybe someone here has some thoughts on that?).

Signal to noise is definitely a concern for sure. I am new to a lot of this, but I have also been spoiled by hearing amazing systems. So although, I am just now getting around to building my own, I know what a killer one sounds like. I would definitely be bummed if I invested in this stuff and noise was an overwhelming issue on start up.

Thanks.

Photon46 · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 May 2011, 11:46 am »

I doubt seriously that "overwhelming" would be an apt adjective. It's just that some of us (me

) obsess about things other folks are able to easily ignore. I am lucky to live in a quiet house in a quiet neighborhood and noise floor is something that I notice a lot.

E4T · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 May 2011, 12:02 pm »

Ha ha....no, I mean more myself! I knew what you meant. I would feasibly be overwhelmed.

I am newer to this, but when it comes to these things I can be quite obsessive over details that others I know can easily ignore. Although building a personal system at home is new, I have spent days, weeks, months, etc....obsessing about minute details in sound in recording studios, friends homes, and the like.

I can say, that my house is rarely as quite as I would like, so it may not be as noticeable here than at your place. However if I notice it on a quite evening it will drive me insane until I fix it!!!!

DavidS · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 May 2011, 01:55 pm »

I am a vinyl newbie and have similar considerations for cartridges. What is the "sonic signature" of an MC cart vs. an MM cart?

TONEPUB · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 May 2011, 02:36 pm »

If you want a Maestro with less than a 100 hours on the clock at a substantial saving, I've got one for sale in the classified....

Photon46 · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 May 2011, 05:00 pm »

Quote from: DavidS on 9 May 2011, 01:55 pm

I am a vinyl newbie and have similar considerations for cartridges. What is the "sonic signature" of an MC cart vs. an MM cart?

See the last post in this link written by Jan Vigne. He sums things up very well as far as things to consider.

http://www.stereophile.com/content/moving-coil-vs-moving-magnet-1

E4T · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 May 2011, 06:26 am »

Quote from: TONEPUB on 9 May 2011, 02:36 pm

If you want a Maestro with less than a 100 hours on the clock at a substantial saving, I've got one for sale in the classified....

SOLD...ah well, thanks TONEPUB. An attractive / great deal, so it sold before I pulled the trigger.

bastlnut · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 May 2011, 06:47 pm »

hallo,

i do not like Clearaudio stuff.
it sounds brittle and analytical to me and this includes the really high end stuff of theirs too.
the MM cartridges are basically the guts of the Audio Technica AT 95 which is not wonderful and the MC is mostly the Denon DL 103 which filters the music in a way i do not like.
i can use a loudness button for the same effect.

sorry about the damper.....well, not sorry but hope it does not make it all more confusing......

regards,
bas

neobop · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 May 2011, 09:06 pm »

Quote from: bastlnut on 10 May 2011, 06:47 pm

the MM cartridges are basically the guts of the Audio Technica AT 95 which is not wonderful

Not to be disrespectful, but they're not the same. They both take the same stylus plug. The generators are different. That's like saying a TK-3_ is the same as a AT-20SS.
neo

E4T · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 May 2011, 10:27 am »

Quote from: bastlnut on 10 May 2011, 06:47 pm

sorry about the damper.....well, not sorry but hope it does not make it all more confusing......

Not at all. No reason to be sorry.

Things can be confusing getting into all of this, but different perspectives help in figuring it all out sometimes.

At any rate. I ordered the Concept yesterday with the Maestro Wood MM. In the end, I just decided that with my particular set up, that was gonna work best and made the most sense for me. I do want to get into MC cartridges later, but I will also want to upgrade my phono-stage and the rest. What I have will handle an MC, but again a high end MM just seems a better idea right now. So getting into MCs will be something to look forward to.

As far as Clearaudio and this table. Like I said, I was looking for a starter audiophile table that would perform in Africa and the US (220v / 110v respectively), and there just isn't another piece of kit out there with this kind of praise that will do that out of box. I wanted to avoid changing out motors and all the rest right now. This requirement limited my choice of tables out there, but certainly going with Clearaudio and the Concept cannot be an awful decision.

So anyway....I'm excited. I think this will work for me, lord knows I researched all of this US vs East Africa playability thing long enough!

Thanks for all of the input and help.

Eric

AudioSoul · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 May 2011, 03:34 am »

Check the new Stereophile. Michael Fremer has a review of the Concept with Concept MC cart.......

sunnydaze · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 May 2011, 03:56 am »

Quote from: bastlnut on 10 May 2011, 06:47 pm

i do not like Clearaudio stuff.
it sounds brittle and analytical to me and this includes the really high end stuff of theirs too.

I could not disagree with you more.

I have been listening to my Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood for years now -- and I love it. And trust me, if it sounded as you describe, I would hate it. I am a freak for liquidity, tone, natural warmth, palpability and most of all -- musicality and an engaging character.

I like it so much I bought TONEPUB's Maestro. Sorry E4T (not really!)

My vinyl setup:
Townshend Rock 3 table
Kuzma Stogi Reference arm
Jasmine 2.0 phono section
Vista ACLE phono section

E4T · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 May 2011, 06:46 am »

Quote from: AudioSoul on 17 May 2011, 03:34 am

Check the new Stereophile. Michael Fremer has a review of the Concept with Concept MC cart.......

Will do!
The May or June issue?

E4T · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 May 2011, 06:48 am »

Quote from: sunnydaze on 17 May 2011, 03:56 am

I could not disagree with you more.
I have been listening to my Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood for years now -- and I love it. And trust me, if it sounded as you describe, I would hate it. I am a freak for liquidity, tone, natural warmth, palpability and most of all -- musicality and an engaging character.

I like it so much I bought TONEPUB's Maestro. Sorry E4T (not really!)

Nice!
Good to hear your take sunnydaze, because I am pretty psyched about my decision!

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #16 on:** 17 May 2011, 12:19 pm »

Quote from: AudioSoul on 17 May 2011, 03:34 am

Check the new Stereophile. Michael Fremer has a review of the Concept with Concept MC cart.......

Soul- Where you been, mate? Haven't seen you in a long time.

neobop · « **Reply #17 on:** 17 May 2011, 12:27 pm »

E4T,
A word of caution - while I don't agree with Bas' comment about Cleasaudio MMs, I think it would be wise to remember his comments about the rest. I can't offer an opinion concerning their current MCs and electronics, but their original MC (Veritas I think) was extremely bright. I also would take reviews with a grain of salt. You're reading one persons opinion, using different equipment and listening with ears, other than yours. As experienced as that opinion may be, YMMV.

It's easy to get caught up, and have the equipment become more important than the music. There's nothing wrong with that if that's what you're into. You might want to stop yourself from time to time along the way, and think about things.
Regards,
neo

sunnydaze · « **Reply #18 on:** 17 May 2011, 01:23 pm »

Quote from: neobop on 17 May 2011, 12:27 pm

E4T,
A word of caution - while I don't agree with Bas' comment about Cleasaudio MMs, I think it would be wise to remember his comments about the rest. I can't offer an opinion concerning their current MCs and electronics, but their original MC (Veritas I think) was extremely bright. ........

I too have heard that some of their cartridges (older ones?) and tables can sound bright, dry and analytical. No experience with that gear so I have no idea. But I can say that the CA Virtuoso Wood (and I assume the Maestro which is reported to be similar only better) is definitely not that way. Nope, not to my ears, and I am very sensitive to those things.

bside123 · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 May 2011, 01:53 pm »

I have used both the Clearaudio Virtuoso AND the Clearaudio Maestro. Neither of those cartridge were bright or brittle to my ears. I really enjoyed both cartridges immensely, and I still have the Maestro and rotate it into my listening among other cartridges. The Maestro is a great performer, easy to set-up, it's a good tracker and sounds very balanced. If anything... it is a tiny bit warm. YMMV