ClearAudio Virtuoso Wood Cartridges Reviews

starguygwb

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $600.00 from Music Direct

Summary:
This reveiw is for two cartridge's, the Virtuoso Wood and the Maestro wood. I purchased the Marantz turntable with the Virtuoso cartridge for 1600.00 and listened for about 6 months. I love the bass and voices through it. Very nice warmth, female voices like Holly Cole seem to just shimmer through the speakers. Newer material such as The White Stripes Icky Thump also sound crisp and vibrant with alot of slam from Meg's drum's, and Jack White's guitar playing just smokes. A really good listen on 180 gram vinyl.
I was very satisfied till I talked to my sales person about the pro's and con's of MM and MC and happened to inquire as to the difference between the Virtuoso and the Maestro. He said the Maestro had more bottom end and the mid range was more fluid. So I asked about trade in with mine and just about the difference of the two was all I had to pony up since mine was a new buy anyway. I'm glad I made the choice, I find myself lost in time when I listen to album's now. Seems even fuller and more truer with voice's, and I still can't believe the bass with both cartridge's.

Strengths:
Nice bottom end bass, tight, solid, good thump. Voices sound real and sweet like female voice's do. really cuts down album noise. Which I didn't know untill getting rid of my direct drive table and getting into belt driven tables like my Music Hall 2.1 then the Marantz. Very nice pace, always toe tapping even if I don't know I am.
I would say a very nice combo with the Marantz Table for the value rating, if buying on its own I think I still would give the same rating.

Weaknesses:
None that i know of yet. If anything the fact that If any issue with the cantiliever or stylus comes up I have to send the cartridge in, but haven't had that experience yet.

Similar Products Used:
Technics direct drive table with audio technica cartridge
Music hall 2.1 table with Ortofron super OM 30 cartridge
Marantz-TT-15S1 table with Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood & Maestro Wood

SeanH

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $499.00 from HiEnd Broker (Nether

Summary:
My first serious foray into the vinyl universe: I bought a VPI Scout based on reviews and the fact that it was made in America by a very solid and reputable company. My dealer advised the Virutoso Wood as a winning match with the VPI 9.0 arm. After the simple set-up of the table and the cartridge I played a few Lp's and immediately knew something special was happening. I could hear real voices singing and real musicians playing real instruments. Definitely a step beyond cd's and even SACD's.
After some six months of listening and allowing the system to ease into sync I could tell there was a rich synergy of components. The music making continued to work its magic with a deeper bass and cleaner highs. One remarkable aspect of the Virtuoso is the extended treble. The midrange is very alive but not overly sweet. So you hear a very real performance depending on the recording.
Careful set-up and tweaking of VTF and VTA will only enhance the experience. I have found with my combo that 2.1 VTF works quite nicely and a pretty low in the rear VTA really opens up the sound. I could not believe the diffence but it is like opening a window on a spring evening. Everything seems more alive and more crisp.
There is a winning sense of rhythm. A great pacing to the music. If you like drums and bass, well then you get a hoppin' boogie factor. I find myself really enjoying old blues and rock that I normally don't listen to much anymore. The timing is so lively. No doubt the Scout plays a major role but the Virtuoso keeps the flames lit all night long.
To say that listening to this combo is an emotional experience is perhaps an understatement. I am sure others will not feel the same, perhaps nitpicking the bass as not tight enough or the midrange as slightly on the dry side but I just enjoy the music, especially the vocals, the strings.
To find fault with the cartridge at this price point is utterly foolish. As Harry says just enjoy the music. For the Virtuoso will reward the listener with music of a very refined and lively degree.

Strengths:
Delightfully refined music maker. Real pRat. A true gem for listening to vocals and acoustic but also small jazz combos sound marvelous. Music never seems strained so classical seems refined, especially woodwinds and strings which breathe with airyness. And the soundstage is realistic. Maybe not filet but more like a hot and sizzling ribeye. The juiciest I've ever tasted!

Weaknesses:
Ever so slightly dry in the midrange but the treble sparkle more than makes up for it. Works its best magic with jazz and acoustical and vocals, especially blues style music.

US retail is ok. Best to buy overseas from reputable Euro dealer where the cartridge can be bought at a bargain.