Innovation is in the house!!

[SL1800]

In December I placed my order for a new ClearAudio Innovation turnable. I mostly blame this on Timobi and docmd2010, both are ClearAudio owners and influencers.

My new table arrived shortly there after, I ordered silver with 2 arms, 9" Universal as the primary arm and a 9" Magnify as the secondary arm. Why two arms? It looks really cool and I just felt the need to try out different cartridges. Mounted a Benz-Micro SLR Gullwing on the Universal arm and my Kiseki Purple Heart on the Magnify arm.

If anyone is on the fence about a table like this.......go ahead and place the order, it is a fantastically built table!!! The build quality and sound quality are head and shoulders above my former VPI Signature Classic, I have never been a fan of the VPI unipivot arm. The sound of the Innovation is cleaner and quieter, bass is so much better defined, which I believe comes from better isolation due to the magnetic floating platter design of the Innovation. I also really appreciate the ease of speed changes and speed adjustment if needed. As for the Universal and Magnify arms, both use very well machined carbon fiber arm tubes and magnetic antiskate systems. The tracking force adjustment and antiskate adjustments are far easier to change than the VPI arm, but the VTA is not as easy. CA does offer a VTA lifter but that was an addition $700 per arm so I didn't opt for it since I won't be changing it very often. I greatly prefer the CA arms over the VPI unipivot 3D arm for the day to day usability, I can actually land the stylus in the silence between songs with these two arms.

Forgive me for the short review but I'm going to listen to some new albums.

[Robc33]

Damn you Steve! Can't you see I'm going broke here as it is!

[2fastdriving]

Congrats, Steve. You really make me want one, and I might get one, but really it's almost silly when I think about how often I actually listen to records. It's like 95% digital, 5% analog in my case. It just makes no sense to spend money on something like this.

But if I learned anything in the last 10 years...nothing in audio-land makes sense.

[Robc33]

Just kidding my friend. Beautiful table! I'm very happy for you. I'm going to have to come out to hear it. A lot of new equipment in that room lately!

[SL1800]

Originally Posted by Robc33

Just kidding my friend. Beautiful table! I'm very happy for you. I'm going to have to come out to hear it. A lot of new equipment in that room lately!

You are welcome anytime Rob. I was thinking, if you go back another couple of months into 2017 then everything in my system is new except for the sub and dac.

[Weirdcuba]

Count me as a co-owner of an innovation. I love mine. Rock solid, great sound and non-fussy (plus good looking). I only have one arm, so I got the VTA adjuster and never use it. Need to get a second arm for all the reasons you mention.

Congrats and enjoy.

[doggiehowser]

I got a similarly priced Acoustic Signature prior to seeing the ClearAudio. Have to say, the ClearAudio demonstrates a lot of good design choices especially with the optical speed sensor

I do like the PurpleHeart NS.

[audioguy3107]

Steve - That is one nice table.....happy for you, really looks nice. Try spinning some super audiophile MOFI or Analogue Productions LP and melt into your chair!

- Buck

[tweet]

Steve,
My goodness. That is a beautiful turntable. Huge congratulations and happy listening.

[mulveling]

Big-league analog now! Love that you went straight away for the dual arm+cartridge setup. It's really the best. Even though I have a usual favorite combo - when it sounds even slightly "off", the other is bangin'. I've never had both sound "off" at the same time (unless the vinyl is garbage, of course). Kind of like you, I've also teamed up a more old-school romantic Japanese sound (Koetsu stone) with a more modern sounding, still musical Japanese cartridge (Shelter Harmony)

Love the Innovation tables; glad people are still discovering them. Enjoy in great health!