Its been a year since I bought my Clearaudio Concerto MC cartridge. And what a year its been! A year that saw me move cities, break the tip of the very same cartridge and then a couple of months of wait before I got it back after a very satisfactory re-tip from Soundsmith (Peter Lederman).
But, wait, I am getting ahead of myself! Let me begin at the beginning....
When I first decided to upgrade from the two tables that I had then - Technics SL 1300 & Project 2 Xperience, I really looked at a lot of options: Project RPM 9 (the RPM 10 wasn't launched then), the VPI tables and the Technics SL 1210 mk2.
But, the Clearaudio Ambient came out a clear winner! It not only looked like display item from MOMA, but it had some serious design and materials science going for it - the Panzerhols plinth (which a lot of reviewers are beginning to realise is actually the best material for resonance damping).
The tonearm is of brilliant quality - Clearaudio Satisfy Carbon Fiber.
The motor is a specially designed one and features the same technology as the top of the line Clearaudio tables - so constant, steady speed built into the package without any Voodoo power purification appendages!
It also has a inverted Ceramic Magnetic Bearing.... the platter rotates for over 15 minutes after a simple push (no exaggeration here, i'm serious!)
Now, getting the above package broke my bank and that left me with a budget for a very modest costing cartridge... so I bought the Clearaudio Aurum Classic MM cart... at under $400 it is a very, very amazing cartridge and worth every cent.
Later in the year when I could save up and buy a better cart, I did a lot of research online to figure out sound signature of various cartridges in the under $3000 range...
I was predisposed towards the Ortofon cartridges (the Winfield in particular though it was quite a bit over my budget). So why was i positively predisposed to the Ortofon range? Well, I had used the Rondo Red on my Project 2Xperience and LOVED the sound!
Then, as I researched for more options, I realised that most of the Shelter, Decca, Koetsu cartridges would not be a good match for my arm.
The Ortofon's would be a good match, the Benz carts would be a super match as well and so would the Clearaudio range...
On reading further, I realised that the Benz cartridges have a sound that I have never aimed for - very warm and coloured.
The Ortofon Rondo Red, I found to be very neutral and natural. With just a slight hint of warmth. Very good sound.
The Clearaudio cartriges were reportedly neutral, on the cooler side of the spectrum, very detailed and extended towards both the frequency extremes.
This was something that I wanted from my cart - except for the bit about being on the cooler side of the spectrum....
So, while I contemplated the purchase, an acquaintance bought a Clearaudio Stradivari ( it is one up in the range from the Concerto). Due to this I could actually listen to a Clearaudio top of the line MC cart!
And boy, did it blow me over! But, alas, the Stradivari was $2000 over my budget... On speaking to a couple of international dealers I figured that the Concerto is about 95% as good as the Stradivari! And would be over budget by about $1000 if i factor in the shipping + duty!
This was enough to make me pull the trigger on it!
In comes the Concerto
The first few days after set up, I decided not to analyse the new sound... as it was still burning in... I could hear a difference but I ignored the feeling to explore the difference just yet... especially since I hear the high's being a wee bit brittle and bass being off kilter...
During this time, i remember, my wife, who usually is not apprised about purchases whose price belies their size & look (for very obvious reasons), asked me pointedly - Ok then, what have you bought that has made the sound so much better???
As time went by, and the Concerto settled in, as did the Nighthawk phono, I found that the sound from my analogue set up became extremely detailed. The HF's extended without a even a hint of brittleness. The midrange beautiful and lush accompanied by a pretty amazing LF response - who says CD's go deeper!
Anyhow... for many months, it was musical bliss and then I had to move cities.... once the TT arrived here, I found that the tip was broken... (should have removed it and carried it with me.... foolish, foolish me...)
With trouble in paradise, I looked around for a good re-tipping option and found three highly recommended ones: 1. Cartridgeman (UK) 2. VDH 3. Soundsmith (USA)
On talking to a lot of my vinylhead friends on another forum, it became pretty clear that Soundsmith, despite their 12 week waiting period is the best option. The retipping option that best suited me was the top end one costing $350.
So, off the cart went to Peter (soundsmith) and returned in about 14 weeks... But, to my chagrin, it would just not track! It would simply slide towards the centre!
One panicky email and a day later, Soundsmith asks me to send them back the Cartrige for a rework - no questions, blame and finger pointing (as is wont with the customer support of set ups here!).
2 weeks later I get back the cartridge! (that is, the Saturday before last!)
So, happily, the next day (sunday) I go about taking off the Clearaudio Aurum Classic Cart, resetting the weight, azmuth etc only to find that the Acoustech Stylus gauge malfunctioning in the middle of the set up!
Basically, no vinyl playback until I get a new stylus gauge... now no one I know in Delhi has a stylus gauge... a quick scan on ebay showed me that many stylus guages that look like the Acoustech are available... it seems that ALL (including the Acoustech) are made in China...
So, i thought it prudent to avoid all! and instead went in for a no name gauge that is not only 5 times cheaper, smaller and sleeker but also more rugged.
This finally showed up on my door 2 days ago and finally I was able to set up my Concerto yesterday!
Initial Listening Impressions
The re-tipped Concerto sounds just as good as it did before the retip... It sounds good fresh out of the box, though a bit less agile and very controlled... but I guess this should change after about 50 hours...
As I write this, the cart has done about 5+ hours and already the sound is (for the lack of a better word) blossoming! It is definitely sounding more open...
As the days go by, I shall report the changes. I am, once again, a happy vinylhead!
But, wait, I am getting ahead of myself! Let me begin at the beginning....
When I first decided to upgrade from the two tables that I had then - Technics SL 1300 & Project 2 Xperience, I really looked at a lot of options: Project RPM 9 (the RPM 10 wasn't launched then), the VPI tables and the Technics SL 1210 mk2.
But, the Clearaudio Ambient came out a clear winner! It not only looked like display item from MOMA, but it had some serious design and materials science going for it - the Panzerhols plinth (which a lot of reviewers are beginning to realise is actually the best material for resonance damping).
The tonearm is of brilliant quality - Clearaudio Satisfy Carbon Fiber.
The motor is a specially designed one and features the same technology as the top of the line Clearaudio tables - so constant, steady speed built into the package without any Voodoo power purification appendages!
It also has a inverted Ceramic Magnetic Bearing.... the platter rotates for over 15 minutes after a simple push (no exaggeration here, i'm serious!)
Now, getting the above package broke my bank and that left me with a budget for a very modest costing cartridge... so I bought the Clearaudio Aurum Classic MM cart... at under $400 it is a very, very amazing cartridge and worth every cent.
Later in the year when I could save up and buy a better cart, I did a lot of research online to figure out sound signature of various cartridges in the under $3000 range...
I was predisposed towards the Ortofon cartridges (the Winfield in particular though it was quite a bit over my budget). So why was i positively predisposed to the Ortofon range? Well, I had used the Rondo Red on my Project 2Xperience and LOVED the sound!
Then, as I researched for more options, I realised that most of the Shelter, Decca, Koetsu cartridges would not be a good match for my arm.
The Ortofon's would be a good match, the Benz carts would be a super match as well and so would the Clearaudio range...
On reading further, I realised that the Benz cartridges have a sound that I have never aimed for - very warm and coloured.
The Ortofon Rondo Red, I found to be very neutral and natural. With just a slight hint of warmth. Very good sound.
The Clearaudio cartriges were reportedly neutral, on the cooler side of the spectrum, very detailed and extended towards both the frequency extremes.
This was something that I wanted from my cart - except for the bit about being on the cooler side of the spectrum....
So, while I contemplated the purchase, an acquaintance bought a Clearaudio Stradivari ( it is one up in the range from the Concerto). Due to this I could actually listen to a Clearaudio top of the line MC cart!
And boy, did it blow me over! But, alas, the Stradivari was $2000 over my budget... On speaking to a couple of international dealers I figured that the Concerto is about 95% as good as the Stradivari! And would be over budget by about $1000 if i factor in the shipping + duty!
This was enough to make me pull the trigger on it!
In comes the Concerto
The first few days after set up, I decided not to analyse the new sound... as it was still burning in... I could hear a difference but I ignored the feeling to explore the difference just yet... especially since I hear the high's being a wee bit brittle and bass being off kilter...
During this time, i remember, my wife, who usually is not apprised about purchases whose price belies their size & look (for very obvious reasons), asked me pointedly - Ok then, what have you bought that has made the sound so much better???
As time went by, and the Concerto settled in, as did the Nighthawk phono, I found that the sound from my analogue set up became extremely detailed. The HF's extended without a even a hint of brittleness. The midrange beautiful and lush accompanied by a pretty amazing LF response - who says CD's go deeper!
Anyhow... for many months, it was musical bliss and then I had to move cities.... once the TT arrived here, I found that the tip was broken... (should have removed it and carried it with me.... foolish, foolish me...)
With trouble in paradise, I looked around for a good re-tipping option and found three highly recommended ones: 1. Cartridgeman (UK) 2. VDH 3. Soundsmith (USA)
On talking to a lot of my vinylhead friends on another forum, it became pretty clear that Soundsmith, despite their 12 week waiting period is the best option. The retipping option that best suited me was the top end one costing $350.
So, off the cart went to Peter (soundsmith) and returned in about 14 weeks... But, to my chagrin, it would just not track! It would simply slide towards the centre!
One panicky email and a day later, Soundsmith asks me to send them back the Cartrige for a rework - no questions, blame and finger pointing (as is wont with the customer support of set ups here!).
2 weeks later I get back the cartridge! (that is, the Saturday before last!)
So, happily, the next day (sunday) I go about taking off the Clearaudio Aurum Classic Cart, resetting the weight, azmuth etc only to find that the Acoustech Stylus gauge malfunctioning in the middle of the set up!
Basically, no vinyl playback until I get a new stylus gauge... now no one I know in Delhi has a stylus gauge... a quick scan on ebay showed me that many stylus guages that look like the Acoustech are available... it seems that ALL (including the Acoustech) are made in China...
So, i thought it prudent to avoid all! and instead went in for a no name gauge that is not only 5 times cheaper, smaller and sleeker but also more rugged.
This finally showed up on my door 2 days ago and finally I was able to set up my Concerto yesterday!
Initial Listening Impressions
The re-tipped Concerto sounds just as good as it did before the retip... It sounds good fresh out of the box, though a bit less agile and very controlled... but I guess this should change after about 50 hours...
As I write this, the cart has done about 5+ hours and already the sound is (for the lack of a better word) blossoming! It is definitely sounding more open...
As the days go by, I shall report the changes. I am, once again, a happy vinylhead!
