Brief review of my Clearaudio Champion Level II

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Thanks for the tip Serge !
I will look for that Gingko right away...
BTW, I loved your reviews of your Performance TT, and especially the one about the set-up ! I 'm not a "real man" yet. I have kids I try to raise the good way but :
- I still did not plant any tree
- I still don't know and understand how to set-up a TT !!
Cheers,
Jérôme

It's never too late. Setup is not difficult as long as you have the necessary tools, steady hands, good eyesight and p-a-t-i-e-n-c-e!

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Greg.......As a point of reference, this Clearaudio Emotion CMB Turntable w/ Satisfy Carbon Tonearm is a budget turntable, at $1400.00 out the door with the Maestro cartridge.



Jérôme's beautiful Clearaudio Champion Level II, with the Satisfy Ebony arm, and Talismann MC cartridge is a long, long way from budget, as you put it. That you would use the word budget to describe his new Clearaudio Champion level II turntable is narrow minded at best, in my opinion. In the same breath it would be fair to say the Linn LP-12, in whatever analogous appendage level it might be assembled, is a budget turntable when compared to so many other truly high-end, extremely well engineered and manufactured turntables from other manfacturers around the globe. The Linn LP12 doesn't magically become a mystically superior turntable by simply declaring all other turntables as budget.

Linn makes a fine turntable. Many hold it in high regard, while many do not. Perhaps your comment was not meant to sound as though Jérôme's turntable is somehow deficient in importance, but it certainly struck me that way.

Here's another bottle of the elixir concoction you seem to enjoy consuming.

Hi again Dan,
Thanks for your support ! Greg is right about oranges and apples...
Don't be too rough with him anyway.
He is not what we could call a "Linn guy". These guys sware that the only amps, CD players and speakers who can make music are from Linn and everything else is bull S.... It's the same for "Naim guys".
Greg does not have any Linn speakers, and still have Mc, Ears and other electronics !
Cheers,
Jérôme

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by 1KW

Jerome

I would be very happy your tt I am the one with the truly budget tt .
Greg, we know you like your tt but you were a bit harsh with your comments about the clearaudio tt that Jerome just bought. Maybe you are just having a bad day.

Thanks David !

This is budget TT :

[Still-One]

I think we all know once you get above a certain level of audio components it is not always a matter of better rather a matter of ones preference.
Jim

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Stillone

I think we all know once you get above a certain level of audio components it is not always a matter of better rather a matter of ones preference.
Jim

The voice of wisdom Jim !

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Stillone

I think we all know once you get above a certain level of audio components it is not always a matter of better rather a matter of ones preference.
Jim

True but the "better" part comes in when a component strikes all the right notes for the preference of the listener. Of course "better" is an illusive term since preferences do vary from person to person.

[vintage_tube]

Jerome,

Regarding your isolation issues with the TT -- if I was you & before I spent the Euros -- suggest you contact Martin at Clearaudio (in Erlangen, Ge) and ask them for a recommendation.

I had a Ginko & it did it's job, per se; however, it injected other issues, namely more resonance in my playback. I got rid of it. It may work on some setups, but didn't on mine (maybe I needed to add more "balls" ((Hahaha)) to the unit -- had 6).

Even though I do not have a badged "clearaudio" table, I've always liked what I heard. By the way, a nice write up and definitely a beautiful setup.

Bob

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Jerome,

Regarding your isolation issues with the TT -- if I was you & before I spent the Euros -- suggest you contact Martin at Clearaudio (in Erlangen, Ge) and ask them for a recommendation.

I had a Ginko & it did it's job, per se; however, it injected other issues, namely more resonance in my playback. I got rid of it. It may work on some setups, but didn't on mine (maybe I needed to add more "balls" ((Hahaha)) to the unit -- had 6).

Even though I do not have a badged "clearaudio" table, I've always liked what I heard. By the way, a nice write up and definitely a beautiful setup.

Bob

Thanks Bob ! I will contact Martin.
Anyway, LP playback is for my personal pleasure: I won't make parties with it, with people dancing around so the fact that when I walk nearby the TT, the cart jumps is actually no big deal. Of course, if it could be resolved easily, it would be nice...

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Jerome,

Regarding your isolation issues with the TT -- if I was you & before I spent the Euros -- suggest you contact Martin at Clearaudio (in Erlangen, Ge) and ask them for a recommendation.

I had a Ginko & it did it's job, per se; however, it injected other issues, namely more resonance in my playback. I got rid of it. It may work on some setups, but didn't on mine (maybe I needed to add more "balls" ((Hahaha)) to the unit -- had 6).

Even though I do not have a badged "clearaudio" table, I've always liked what I heard. By the way, a nice write up and definitely a beautiful setup.

Bob

Gingko Cloud has various platforms and need to be "tuned" to the specific weight of the table. When I first installed my Cloud 14A with 5 balls, it was too many. The sound lost it's magic and became brittle. Removing one ball to retune the system to total weight of the table and the top cover of the Cloud specifically designed to add mass with the 14A model, worked out much better. Fine tuning the VTF restored the balance of warmth and resolution and the leanness and brittleness was once again replaced with soul satisfying tonal balance.

[jdandy]

Jérôme.......I wasn't trying to be tough on Greg. We are friends. I just wanted to make my point.

Years ago I went through the Xerox Professional Sales Training Program. An important lesson taught as part of the program, you never discredit another product in an attempt to bolster yours. Your product, whether it be a copy machine or a turntable, must stand on its own merits. We were taught that disparaging a competitor's product reduces your own credibility. I have never forgotten that lesson. It is sage advice, and can be applied in so many other areas of life.

I am guilty of doing the same thing sometimes while excitedly trying to make a point. No one is perfect, but I try to remain aware of the consequences of my actions. My basic philosophy is, if my action does not create a positive reaction, then I might want to reconsider my action. I try to keep it simple, and maintain a low stress level. Humor is a great tool, as well. Laughter is universal, and really is the best medicine.