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Thread: gone Maestro

  1. #1
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    gone Maestro

    Yeah, I finally replaced the 10x5 and went with the Maestro. As a side note the 10x5 has taken a significant price increase. I'll skip all that finally led me to deciding on the Maestro and say so far I think it ended up well. I shouldn't say much as I may have all of 4 hours on it so far but.... In my opinion the Maestro is not colored but tonally textured with natural timbre. Just what I was looking for. The Maestro provides plenty of detail, I'm hearing things on Lp's I haven't noticed before, as I should, this is the best cart I've owned so far. It's able to sort out complex music like Billy Cobham's, Power Play LP. The Maestro is quick but in more of an agile way, more like a boxer opposed to a fighter. The Maestro is impressively dynamic. And I really enjoy how tuneful it is, all the instruments have great rhythm. I get good depth and width of soundstage, if I had to criticize, at this point the sound seems a bit dry but if that never changes I would still be happy with the Maestro.

  2. #2
    Forum Regular Jack in Wilmington's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody View Post
    Yeah, I finally replaced the 10x5 and went with the Maestro. As a side note the 10x5 has taken a significant price increase. I'll skip all that finally led me to deciding on the Maestro and say so far I think it ended up well. I shouldn't say much as I may have all of 4 hours on it so far but.... In my opinion the Maestro is not colored but tonally textured with natural timbre. Just what I was looking for. The Maestro provides plenty of detail, I'm hearing things on Lp's I haven't noticed before, as I should, this is the best cart I've owned so far. It's able to sort out complex music like Billy Cobham's, Power Play LP. The Maestro is quick but in more of an agile way, more like a boxer opposed to a fighter. The Maestro is impressively dynamic. And I really enjoy how tuneful it is, all the instruments have great rhythm. I get good depth and width of soundstage, if I had to criticize, at this point the sound seems a bit dry but if that never changes I would still be happy with the Maestro.
    Congrats on the new cartridge. Is this a MM cart and did you need to make adjustments to the phono preamp?
    2 Channel System
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  3. #3
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Congrats on the cartridge. Give it about 30 hours of break in to sound its best.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
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  4. #4
    frenchmon frenchmon's Avatar
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    I was at Peabodys house Saturday night and had a great listen as well. Nice cart! But Peabody aint heard it at its best yet! Wait till it opens up! Will be a great addition!
    Music...let it into your soul and be moved....with Canton...Pure Music


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  5. #5
    Forum Regular hifitommy's Avatar
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    i believe the maestro is MM and have heard reports that it rivals MCs. i would love to hear one in a familiar system. i just returned to my FR1mk3 mc cart after a long stint with my grace f9e and atML150. it's good to be back to mc land.
    ...regards...tr

  6. #6
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    Correct, the Maestro is the top of the MM line for Clearaudio. It is quick and sounds good. I feel it has just enough shading to provide a natural sound.

  7. #7
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    I googled a review of this and saw the body is made of either ebony or satine. Do you know what the differences are between these two woods. BTW why is wood a preferred material for many high end cartridges?

  8. #8
    Forum Regular hifitommy's Avatar
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    i am not sure what satine is but wood is used for cartridges because of its excellent characteristic of damping. at micro dimensions found in LP grooves, vibration reduction is key.

    https://www.google.com/search?q=satt...tine+wood+pics
    ...regards...tr

  9. #9
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    10x5 thoghts

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody View Post
    Yeah, I finally replaced the 10x5 and went with the Maestro. As a side note the 10x5 has taken a significant price increase. I'll skip all that finally led me to deciding on the Maestro and say so far I think it ended up well. I shouldn't say much as I may have all of 4 hours on it so far but.... In my opinion the Maestro is not colored but tonally textured with natural timbre. Just what I was looking for. The Maestro provides plenty of detail, I'm hearing things on Lp's I haven't noticed before, as I should, this is the best cart I've owned so far. It's able to sort out complex music like Billy Cobham's, Power Play LP. The Maestro is quick but in more of an agile way, more like a boxer opposed to a fighter. The Maestro is impressively dynamic. And I really enjoy how tuneful it is, all the instruments have great rhythm. I get good depth and width of soundstage, if I had to criticize, at this point the sound seems a bit dry but if that never changes I would still be happy with the Maestro.
    Do you have any opiniond on how the 10x5 would compare to my current cart - Grado Prestige Gold?

  10. #10
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    I think the 10x5 would be quicker with a more neutral sound compared to the Grado, more definition.

  11. #11
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    Congrats on the new cartridge. I would like to hear the Maestro. I have read great things about that cartridge, Enjoy!
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
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  12. #12
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    I had not checked the price on a Dynavector 10x5 but at NeedleDoctor $640. The Audio Technica ATf7 is $379 and $249 at LP Gear. I think I will stay with the AT F7 for now.
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
    Digital
    Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD/cd SID mat, Marantz SA 8001
    Int. Amp Krell S-300i
    Speaker
    Monitor Audio RS6
    Cables
    AQ SPKR and AQ XLR and IC

  13. #13
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    Wow, the 10x5 has really increased in price. The Dynavectors were having a problem keeping up with demand on certain models I wonder if that's part of it.

  14. #14
    Super Moderator Site Moderator JohnMichael's Avatar
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    I remember my Dynavector 10x2 sold for a little over $100 way back when.
    JohnMichael
    Vinyl Rega Planar 2, Incognito rewire, Deepgroove subplatter, ceramic bearing, Michell Technoweight, Rega 24V motor, TTPSU, FunkFirm Achroplat platter, Michael Lim top and bottom braces, 2 Rega feet and one RDC cones. Grado Sonata, Moon 110 LP phono.
    Digital
    Sony SCD-XA5400ES SACD/cd SID mat, Marantz SA 8001
    Int. Amp Krell S-300i
    Speaker
    Monitor Audio RS6
    Cables
    AQ SPKR and AQ XLR and IC

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by JohnMichael View Post
    I remember my Dynavector 10x2 sold for a little over $100 way back when.
    Well the price is $650 now. However, I found one gently used from a reputable person on Audiogon for $300, so I decided to give one a try. Lookng forward to comparing to my current cart, a Grado Prestige Gold.
    Marantz PM 11S3 Integrated Amp
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  16. #16
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    Don't forget to come back and let us know your impressions of the 10x5.

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