Turntable Reviews

Clearaudio Reference Jubilee record player Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Analog sources: Kuzma Stabi R turntable/4Point tonearm; Clearaudio Jubilee MC v2 phono cartridge.
Preamplification: Sugden LA-4 line preamplifier; Sutherland Little Loco and Tavish Adagio phono preamplifers.
Power amplifier: Pass Labs XA25.
Loudspeakers: DeVore Fidelity Orangutan O/96.
Cables: Interconnect: 2m Triode Wire Labs Spirit II (RCA), 2m Analysis Plus Silver Apex (RCA). Speaker: 10' Analysis Plus Silver Apex Speaker (bananas). AC: Triode Wire Labs Obsession NCF, manufacturers' own.
Accessories: Pro-Ject VC-S2 ALU Record Cleaning Machine; Audiodesksysteme Vinyl Cleaner Pro LP Cleaning System; Hunt Mark 6 Carbon Fiber Record Cleaning Brush; IsoTek EVO3 Aquarius line conditioner; (2) Salamander five-tier rack; IKEA Aptitlig bamboo chopping boards (under turntable, preamp, power amps); mahogany blocks (2" × 2" × 0.5") under boards. Hi-fi set up on short wall firing into 15' × 15' room; wood slat on plaster walls.—Ken Micallef

COMPANY INFO
Clearaudio Electronic GmbH
US distributor: Musical Surroundings
5662 Shattuck Ave.
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 547-5006
musicalsurroundings.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
volvic's picture
Submitted by volvic on June 29, 2022 - 11:53am

This is beautiful, and Clearaudio's commitment to vinyl support will always be available for many years. I always wanted the Musical Fidelity M1 turntable but was always hesitant when it first came out about support and service from Musical Fidelity. I was right; even sourcing a motor is tricky. I cannot imagine you would have any problems with support from Clearaudio. As the review says, it also sounds fantastic. I should hear it.

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on June 29, 2022 - 11:58am

The AXPONA 2022 exhibit of this unit and demo was very insightful and just plain beautiful. It proved for many how vinyl performs as an equal to digital, and in many parameters, excels it.

Hearing it with the DS Audio front end was even more of a treat! Would love to hear it in a larger room with the same cutting edge electronics supporting it (Boulder, DS Audio, Sonus Faber, Transparent). Beth Hart's Led Zep cover was dynamic, transparent and soooo pure. Maybe another trip to Chicago is in order..!

Great review as well! I'd like to see other audio products and racks done in their Panzerholz treatment.

volvic's picture
Submitted by volvic on June 29, 2022 - 1:04pm

I have not heard the DS Audio cartridges, but from fellow Facebook friends who own one it is a heck of a cartridge. I got a lot of auditioning in my future.

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on June 29, 2022 - 1:52pm

I think you will find eliminating another source of vibration to be very insightful.

I wish you the most fun in your exploration. But you already have so many nice turntables and cartridges! Ah, who I am to tell someone 'no'? Have at it!

volvic's picture
Submitted by volvic on June 29, 2022 - 2:43pm

I already have too many and tbh have run out of room in the built-in, but the itch is still there. The biggest investment that has transformed my listening experience has been the Sugarcube, I cannot speak enough of this little box that has finally made some very old recordings listenable. I have often thought of selling all the tables and tonearms and just get one last great turntable, but I love them all and they all serve different purposes. So much fun. Great review KM!!

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