Suggestions for ~$15k “low key” table/arm/cartridge

[taww]

The time has come for my first analog rig since using my father’s some 30+ years ago. By “low key” I don’t mean “set it and forget it,” because, well, I’m an audiophile after all… but this will be a secondary source for enjoyment, mostly of my father’s original LPs, as opposed to primary one for critical listening. Rest of system is Gryphon, Mola Mola, Furutech and Audiovector. I plan to use the phono module on the Mola Mola Makua, just to take that out of the equation. Few parameters:

1. It must be relatively trim and not weird-looking for WAF reasons. A classic wood plinth design is preferable.
2. It’ll be on either an HRS platform or a heavy suspended wood shelf, so lack of suspension not a concern.
3. I’m ok with tweaking it a bit, but would prefer something as un-fiddly as possible.
4. Tonal balance preferred a tick on the warmer side, but given the decent clarity of my system, it can’t be mushy.
5. It needs to track less-than-perfect vinyl well, given the varying condition of my father’s collection.

As a naive starting point, I was thinking Feickert Woodpecker, a decent arm that mates well (Stogi S or Schick?), Hana Umami Red.

While it doesn’t satisfy condition #1, Stabi S + Stogi S could also work - I think I could get away with the minimalist look.

Feel free to take it from here and tell me how much better I can do with XYZ combo.

 

[Sablon Audio]

@taww , is the inbuilt phono stage good enough to support a $15k ensemble? That was my concern for the (incoming) Riviera MM card and I avoided splurging unnecessarily by buying the new SL-1300G with a view to possibly upgrading arm and cartridge later.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Clearaudio perfomanc dc.. or acoustic solid wood mpx referrence. I like he simple design, not a lot of frills. Acoustic solid wood have interchangeable tonearm bases.


P.S
colors are selectable
Or a restored micro seiki vintage look

 

[taww]

@taww , is the inbuilt phono stage good enough to support a $15k ensemble? That was my concern for the (incoming) Riviera MM card and I avoided splurging unnecessarily by buying the new SL-1300G with a view to possibly upgrading arm and cartridge later.

I hope it is? It’s the same as the Lupe stand alone phono stage, which has good initial reviews. I was originally going to get a separate phono in the $5k range, but comments on the Makua were very consistent that it would be comparable to a stand alone phono in that price range.

 

[taww]

@DasguteOhr Clearaudio was the very first line I looked at - form factor and ease of setup seem ideal. But i saw a pattern from comments online that as you get upwards of the $10k price point they didn’t distinguish themselves and there were better sounding tables for the money… I get the impression they are a bit sterile sounding compared to the likes of Kuzma or Feickert? If that is just the snobbery of some analog elitists that would be great because Clearaudio has tons of options and I really like the packaging.

 

[daytona600]

Pro-Ject classic & signature , EAT Forte

 

[DasguteOhr]

@DasguteOhr Clearaudio was the very first line I looked at - form factor and ease of setup seem ideal. But i saw a pattern from comments online that as you get upwards of the $10k price point they didn’t distinguish themselves and there were better sounding tables for the money… I get the impression they are a bit sterile sounding compared to the likes of Kuzma or Feickert? If that is just the snobbery of some analog elitists that would be great because Clearaudio has tons of options and I really like the packaging.

The sterile sound is based on old stuff from Clearaudio, e.g. Accurate Cartridge or the first tonearms, and is persistent on the internet. They now have a completely different sound, e.g. Davinci Cartridge, and a product quality that other companies dream of producing at this level. What always makes me happy is that even people on average incomes can get high quality without having to pay €20,000. The only thing that helps is to listen and judge for yourself.

P.S
If you are ever in Germany, go to Erlangen, Southern Germany and look at the production. Definitely worth a trip.