dbz5371
Active Member
Is there any reason to believe that the Marantz uses something different to the regular Clearaudio oil and Belt? The belt looks the same as what's on mine, so any Clearaudio dealer should carry them. Or try Ebay.de (germany).
Clearaudio Owner's Thread
- Thread starter Art K.
- Start date
Is there any reason to believe that the Marantz uses something different to the regular Clearaudio oil and Belt? The belt looks the same as what's on mine, so any Clearaudio dealer should carry them. Or try Ebay.de (germany).
guiller
Toscaninichus Australis
Ok....I'll play:
Great pictures! Congratulations, the Champion is right now my dream TT. I've got an Emotion and it is the best I've ever had, but would like to move upwards, not in the near future though.
chevvies
New Member
Well it happened :sigh::tears:. I was enjoying my Marantz TT15S1/Ebony Virtuoso the other day as usual, and somehow as I was lifting the tonearm it went left and clunked down onto the label area. After trying to compose myself for a minute I dared to look and saw the cantilever facing left.
After another, longer moment of composure I summoned the use of two pairs of tweezers, an illuminated magnifying glass and a steadier hand than the previous nervous shock had presented me with. I set about gently persuading the cantilever to take a more central position, albeit with a couple of kinks, the up/down and facing perspectives look ok. and it seems to be playing fine, although admittedly it looks ridiculous.
I believe the 'catastrophic failure' inherent in aluminium means the cart is on borrowed time, but I think I'd prefer that to no vinyl, frankly.
No pets, no children, but I still manage to screw it up.
I've scoured the 'net for options, Soundsmith (but what cheap cart could I use in the meantime?). This 'trade-in' business baffles me, I get quoted so many different amounts depending where I ask. I emailed Clearaudio - nil respondum.
Any suggestions on a cheap stop-gap if I go the SS route, or heads-up on good prices on a used one would be most welcome y'all. Thanks.
After another, longer moment of composure I summoned the use of two pairs of tweezers, an illuminated magnifying glass and a steadier hand than the previous nervous shock had presented me with. I set about gently persuading the cantilever to take a more central position, albeit with a couple of kinks, the up/down and facing perspectives look ok. and it seems to be playing fine, although admittedly it looks ridiculous.
I believe the 'catastrophic failure' inherent in aluminium means the cart is on borrowed time, but I think I'd prefer that to no vinyl, frankly.
No pets, no children, but I still manage to screw it up.
I've scoured the 'net for options, Soundsmith (but what cheap cart could I use in the meantime?). This 'trade-in' business baffles me, I get quoted so many different amounts depending where I ask. I emailed Clearaudio - nil respondum.
Any suggestions on a cheap stop-gap if I go the SS route, or heads-up on good prices on a used one would be most welcome y'all. Thanks.
Rasputin47
Woad
I have an Arum Classics wood body cartridge in my main table at the moment
dbz5371
Active Member
A couple of videos I made a few months ago featuring the Clearaudio TT.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU9c-h2k3p0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQJOeDb8kGc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU9c-h2k3p0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQJOeDb8kGc
Last edited:
guiller
Toscaninichus Australis
Thanks for sharing the videos. Your TT is a beauty!
bhutton
Active Member
New to AK
Been lurking around for past few months, I have decided to purchase The Concept this week, I have a Rega P2 at the moment with a Dynavector 10X5. Should I purchase the table sans cartridge using 10X5 while I save for Maestro or buy it with the MM or MC installed.
Been lurking around for past few months, I have decided to purchase The Concept this week, I have a Rega P2 at the moment with a Dynavector 10X5. Should I purchase the table sans cartridge using 10X5 while I save for Maestro or buy it with the MM or MC installed.
Art K.
The Voodoo You Do!
If you haven't already bought it you may want to consider a Well Tempered Simplex.
bhutton
Active Member
Well Tempered Simplex
Thanks for the reply, but I have not looked into this table. I have read a lot about the Concept , mostly positive and it falls in my price range. At present I'm using a modified Rega P2 and was looking for something better, I considered the P5 but really like what I've read about the 'Concept'. Palying it through an Arogon 47k phono pre, Conrad Johnsom Amp and Mirage M3 speakers.
Thanks for the reply, but I have not looked into this table. I have read a lot about the Concept , mostly positive and it falls in my price range. At present I'm using a modified Rega P2 and was looking for something better, I considered the P5 but really like what I've read about the 'Concept'. Palying it through an Arogon 47k phono pre, Conrad Johnsom Amp and Mirage M3 speakers.
guiller
Toscaninichus Australis
Do you get an important discount if you buy the TT without the cart? If not, you could consider ordering it and then have two carts to play with.
guiller
Toscaninichus Australis
OK, you seem to have taken a decision then. Please keep us updated on your new TT!
scottyh777
Super Member
I have the Concept with Maestro combo and can tell you first hand you won't be disappointed.I also have the $200 Concept MM and it's no slouch either.Iv's been waiting for someone who purchased the Concept ($800) MC for a review.
reddog48
Active Member
Broken Clearaudio cart stylus - DIY fix
Chevvies,
You can easily fix ANY clearaudio MM cart with a broken or damaged stylus by simply replacing the stylus "Plug" with an Audio Technica AT95 "plug" ($35).
If you look at the bottom of your cart you will see a small black plastic piece from which the stylus protrudes - this "plug" is easily removable with no more than a fingernail - just hook it from the rear and lift it up and out.
Once you get the AT plug (also called a "grip" by some) just trim the plastic on the AT plug and pop it back into the Clearaudio cart body.
In reality all Clearaudio carts are actually OEM from other manufacturers - the Clearaudio MM carts are made by AudioTechnica - below is a picture of a CA cart and an AT cart with their plugs "removed" - note that except for the shell they are identical.
This picture was taken by "Uptown Audio" out of Salem, Virginia and was featured in a thread from two years ago.
I have made this replacement myself and the result was that the AT plug sounded MUCH better than the original plug in my Maestro cartridge. Perhaps it has something to do with compliance. Or maybe the somewhat brighter tone of the AT plug better compliments the tone of the darker Clearaudio motor - and maybe I just think it is better.
If you have any more questions just PM me.
best
Chevvies,
You can easily fix ANY clearaudio MM cart with a broken or damaged stylus by simply replacing the stylus "Plug" with an Audio Technica AT95 "plug" ($35).
If you look at the bottom of your cart you will see a small black plastic piece from which the stylus protrudes - this "plug" is easily removable with no more than a fingernail - just hook it from the rear and lift it up and out.
Once you get the AT plug (also called a "grip" by some) just trim the plastic on the AT plug and pop it back into the Clearaudio cart body.
In reality all Clearaudio carts are actually OEM from other manufacturers - the Clearaudio MM carts are made by AudioTechnica - below is a picture of a CA cart and an AT cart with their plugs "removed" - note that except for the shell they are identical.
This picture was taken by "Uptown Audio" out of Salem, Virginia and was featured in a thread from two years ago.
I have made this replacement myself and the result was that the AT plug sounded MUCH better than the original plug in my Maestro cartridge. Perhaps it has something to do with compliance. Or maybe the somewhat brighter tone of the AT plug better compliments the tone of the darker Clearaudio motor - and maybe I just think it is better.
If you have any more questions just PM me.
best
reddog48
Active Member
VTA on clearaudio table/cart
I own a Clearaudio "Emotion" (now discontinued as it is the basis of the Marantz TT-15) and a Clearaudio "Maestro" cart (MM).
I found that with my setup the only way I could get good bass was to use a VTA setup that had the tone arm "tail up", i.e. the rear of the tone arm was higher than the front. This was easy to do with the Clearaudio tone arm mounting technique.
Once I did this the bass increased in both quantity and quality. The Clearaudio manual says to set the tone arm by placing the supplied bubble level beneath the cuing mechanism and then tightening the tone arm lock. I have found that it takes about another 1/8" or so of elevation to get the best sound.
Of course the problem that then arises is that the cuing mechanism will not let the tone arm drop sufficiently down to make contact with a "skinny" record - the 180g and 200g records are sufficiently thick to not cause a problem - with the "skinnies" I have to use a mat on the platter to get enough elevation for the stylus/cart/arm assembly to make good contact.
I am using the MM phono section out of a CJ PV-7 preamp as my phono amp - and I use a VTF of 1.75 g. I am experimenting with using higher VTF values - say 2.0g or even 2.2g.
The clearaudio emotion table is, imo, a good buy that delivers excellent sound - but you have to tweak it a bit - like any turntable.
I own a Clearaudio "Emotion" (now discontinued as it is the basis of the Marantz TT-15) and a Clearaudio "Maestro" cart (MM).
I found that with my setup the only way I could get good bass was to use a VTA setup that had the tone arm "tail up", i.e. the rear of the tone arm was higher than the front. This was easy to do with the Clearaudio tone arm mounting technique.
Once I did this the bass increased in both quantity and quality. The Clearaudio manual says to set the tone arm by placing the supplied bubble level beneath the cuing mechanism and then tightening the tone arm lock. I have found that it takes about another 1/8" or so of elevation to get the best sound.
Of course the problem that then arises is that the cuing mechanism will not let the tone arm drop sufficiently down to make contact with a "skinny" record - the 180g and 200g records are sufficiently thick to not cause a problem - with the "skinnies" I have to use a mat on the platter to get enough elevation for the stylus/cart/arm assembly to make good contact.
I am using the MM phono section out of a CJ PV-7 preamp as my phono amp - and I use a VTF of 1.75 g. I am experimenting with using higher VTF values - say 2.0g or even 2.2g.
The clearaudio emotion table is, imo, a good buy that delivers excellent sound - but you have to tweak it a bit - like any turntable.
reddog48
Active Member
clearaudio emotion vs Marantz tt-15
Quote from WmAx:
It has nothing in common with the Emotion. It is a higher quality table and has all different parts and heavier build quality and higher level of fit and finish overall. the Marantz is a higher quality table above the Emotion, and is between the Emotion SE and Performance in terms of build quality and features, being closer to the Performance.
Sorry but the Marantz is nothing more than a rebadged Clearaudio Emotion table and does NOT possess "higher quality" or "different parts". The motor, tonearm, plinth (except for outer perimeter shape) and platter are the exact same parts found on the Clearaudio Emotion.
The Marantz is a downgrade from the Emotion in that the Marantz does NOT have the Ceramic Magnetic Bearing (CMB) assembly - Clearaudio will not sell this proprietary technology outside of their own brand.
IMO the CMB is THE reason for owning a Clearaudio TT - it is an excellent way of decoupling the platter from the plinth/shaft assembly - perhaps the most advanced method ever conceived.
So the Marantz TT-15 is actually somewhat less than the Clearaudio "Emotion" - fitting somewhere between the bottom of the line "concept" (an excellent table) and the next model up.
I am sure the Marantz is an excellent table - but lets call it as it is not as we wish it were.
Quote from WmAx:
It has nothing in common with the Emotion. It is a higher quality table and has all different parts and heavier build quality and higher level of fit and finish overall. the Marantz is a higher quality table above the Emotion, and is between the Emotion SE and Performance in terms of build quality and features, being closer to the Performance.
Sorry but the Marantz is nothing more than a rebadged Clearaudio Emotion table and does NOT possess "higher quality" or "different parts". The motor, tonearm, plinth (except for outer perimeter shape) and platter are the exact same parts found on the Clearaudio Emotion.
The Marantz is a downgrade from the Emotion in that the Marantz does NOT have the Ceramic Magnetic Bearing (CMB) assembly - Clearaudio will not sell this proprietary technology outside of their own brand.
IMO the CMB is THE reason for owning a Clearaudio TT - it is an excellent way of decoupling the platter from the plinth/shaft assembly - perhaps the most advanced method ever conceived.
So the Marantz TT-15 is actually somewhat less than the Clearaudio "Emotion" - fitting somewhere between the bottom of the line "concept" (an excellent table) and the next model up.
I am sure the Marantz is an excellent table - but lets call it as it is not as we wish it were.
