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Clearaudio concept vs Pro-ject 2xperience SB

Decontrol2

Decontrol2

New Member
I'm in the market for a new turntable around the $1,500 price point without a cartridge and have narrowed it down to these two based on reviews and lurking in audio forums. I am able to audition them in town but at two different dealers with two different setups so it would impossible to distinguish the differences in turntables. My question is has anybody heard these two tables on similar setups or in their setup than can recommend one more so than the other? My setup is currently:
Pro-ject debut esprit with 2m blue
Budgie phono preamp
marantz 3800 preamp
marantz 510 power amp
Klipsch KLF 30 speakers

Thank you so much in advance!
 
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botrytis said:
What about the Marantz TT15s1? That is basically a Clearaudio TT that comes with a 900 USD Clearaudio cartridge. I think that cartridge would be better than your 2m Blue.
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From what I understand the concept is a much better turntable overall than the marantz branded one. I plan on adding a much better cartridge to which ever table I decide on so I feel like I would rather have more money go into the table than over half the value just on the cartridge, if that makes sense. It's at the bottom of the list of reasons but I cannot stand the way that turntable looks either haha. Thanks for your reply!
Ryan
 
I don't think you can go wrong with either but I've been admiring the Concept for a while now at my record dealer's. Looks amazing and build quality is pretty much as great as you'd expect from zee germans. Only thing I heard is the cartridge setup can be tricky, but if you are good at that stuff or got someone who does it for you it shouldn't be an issue.

Are you set on a cartridge? I think you can get good deals on the Concept TT with the Concept cartridge (both MM or MC), I've only heard the MC and the combo sounds fantastic.
 
skraggs said:
I don't think you can go wrong with either but I've been admiring the Concept for a while now at my record dealer's. Looks amazing and build quality is pretty much as great as you'd expect from zee germans. Only thing I heard is the cartridge setup can be tricky, but if you are good at that stuff or got someone who does it for you it shouldn't be an issue.

Are you set on a cartridge? I think you can get good deals on the Concept TT with the Concept cartridge (both MM or MC), I've only heard the MC and the combo sounds fantastic.
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I've heard great things about the Clearaudio MC on the concept but if I were to go that route I would need to buy an SUT which goes past how much I'm looking to spend right now. I'm not set on anything but have been eyeing the 2M bronze or black and the dynavector 10x5
 
My preference would be for the Concept. The arm is n excellent design, and uses the Schroeder bearing concept. The platter spindle bearing is also a quality design. The material Panzerholz is used for the plinth, and is a dense and non-resonant compound. Also the table is attractive in a conservative way. Its my personal opinion that the Concept is the table to beat at this price point. It's well engineered and manufactured.

I don't know your cartridge budget, but a Dynavector 17D3 would be awesome on it. Of course it is a low output moving coil. If you wanted a high output cartridge, perhaps the Dynavector 20X2H would be an option.

Regards
Mister Pig
 
botrytis said:
The only difference between the Marantz and the Clearaudio is the plinth. The arm is the same.

Clearaudio makes a dynamite TT.
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The Concept has the magnetic bearing arm, correct?
The Marantz has a similar arm but one with a more conventional arm/bearing.
 
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