Merrill Williams R.E.A.L
- Thread starter Petro85
- Start date
audio.bill
Active member
Steve, just remember as the saying goes "patience is a virtue". I'm sure that you'll be thrilled with the performance of your new analog setup once it's all in place. I run the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze cartridge in an Origin Live Enterprise-C arm on a Nottingham Dais, so I'm very familiar with the superb performance of the Cadenza cartridge lineup. The Bronze has a touch warmer balance than the Black, but they are both top flight performers and compete well above their price points. Congratulations, and enjoy the tunes with your new acquisitions!
dlb2
New member
I for one can't wait until Steve gets this. It's a very interesting table and I want to read what he thinks of it. Of course it's been so long since he's had the VPI he won't be able to compare them. :eyebrow:
- Thread Author
- #25
Sweet !!! Welcome to the forum Audio Bill.'I ran a cadenza blue on my last setup.'it was supposed to be a bronze but I decided to trade in speakers too , so I didn't have enough cash.
Thx!!!! Can't wait!!
Haha !!! I went from a vpi hw19 to an Aries 1, to a TNT 4. Then sold off. When I came back I got a scout then traded for a classic. Lol one thing I won't forget is how a vpi sounds. I know it's not nice to say about such a great company that's makes such great tables. But i can't wait to be able to spin vinyl on something other than a vpi.
Thanks !!! I normally don't write reviews, but there aren't too many of these tables out there that I know of. So I definitely will give up some thoughts about it. As I learn what it's capable of.
audio.bill
Active member
Steve, I don't know if you saw this yet but here's a review from TAS on the arm/cartridge combo that you're getting. They even discuss how well it matches with the Merrill Williams table. Sounds like it's a great combination, and if this isn't karma I don't know what is!
- Thread Author
- #27
Sweet thanks for that!! I read his review on the mw turntable but I didn't see this one on the arm and cartridge. Dagogo did a nice review on the table and arm.
And they loved the mix of the zesto phono stage with it also. Which Jeff also recommended to go with this table . Said he prefered the zesto with the mw over his others.
finding a review on the cadenza black is tough though havent seen too many.
Yes on several fronts I was meant to have this table. Call it kharma or dumb luck.
From the day I accidentally stumbled upon one in Jersey City.
Thx Bill!!!!
And they loved the mix of the zesto phono stage with it also. Which Jeff also recommended to go with this table . Said he prefered the zesto with the mw over his others.
finding a review on the cadenza black is tough though havent seen too many.
Yes on several fronts I was meant to have this table. Call it kharma or dumb luck.
From the day I accidentally stumbled upon one in Jersey City.
Thx Bill!!!!
dlb2
New member
Sure is purdy. :audiophile:
- Thread Author
- #29
Yes Doug very cool!!! I can't wait. Looks very old school. I thought hard about a different arm but since its filled with rubber it just goes together with the table. I also thought about the ort ta210(12"version) but was told it wouldnt make a enough of a difference to be worth the extra $$ plus a new arm board, plus the extra setup.Sure is purdy. :audiophile:
And of course the removable headshell to run multiple cartridges, and an spu was a big selling point.
audio.bill
Active member
Hey Steve, hope all is going well with you and your setup! Sorry if I missed another post somewhere, but is there any update yet on your new analog front end? Inquiring minds want to know!
- Thread Author
- #31
Nothing yet!! Still waiting, actually I think the cartridge got to the US yesterday.
And I'm going away for work until Thursday . I'm betting it shows up next Friday.
Which is fine by me. If I get the table here and have to go away and not listen to it.
It would be worse than the waiting for it. Thanks for thinking of me. I'll let you know when it gets here and is all setup and rolling!!
- Thread Author
- #33
yes, i love it. with all that rubber you could use it on top of anything. great great table, and the best ive ever owned. i just had a conversation through email with george merrill, there is a 101.2 coming out in a couple months. same basics, with the ability to run 2 arms. and the top and bottom of the rubber plinth is black instead of silver and the motor is liquid dampened. not sure if that helps you. here is the thread with my thoughts on this table and cartridge. ill just say, if i had to change tables and cartridges tomorrow. unless i spend about $20k ,i dont think ive heard a table that i would prefer. and ive heard a load of them.
http://audioshark.org/turntables-146/mw-real-101-setup-initial-thoughts-3164.html#.UvcBhIWAbjA
http://audioshark.org/turntables-146/mw-real-101-setup-initial-thoughts-3164.html#.UvcBhIWAbjA
zuluwarrior0760
New member
Decided today to purchase the MW 101.2
FYI: The periphery ring and clamp are no longer optional, they are standard.....
FYI: The periphery ring and clamp are no longer optional, they are standard.....
- Thread Author
- #37
nice congrats!!! what arm? and cart?
im a big fan and noticed that the retail price now is the same as the 101 w/ the clamp and ring. which it never should have been an option, i could see running the table without the ring but not without the clamp. i love the new changes, i was going to pick up the newer motor for mine but decided against it. its fine the way it is. congrats again let us know how she sounds.
zuluwarrior0760
New member
On George's recommendation, I went with the Ortofon TA-110.
His favorite is the 6200.00 Tri-Planar, but he said this gets 90% of
the way there for less than 1/3rd the price...... I plan to initially
use my existing Lyra Kleos with it, but the great thing about using
this arm, is that I also may want to try one of Ortofon's SPU reissues
as I listen to a lot of late 50s, early 60s jazz.....
I became a little bored with my VPI Classic3 and so I'm excited to
see how this compares........ If I decide to swap cartridges, in addition
to an SPU later, I might change from the Kleos to an Ortofon Cadenza Black.
One other thing I ordered is the Acoustical Systems Arche' Headshell
which gives you vta and azimuth adjustments right at the headshell, which
I think will be very slick.......
His favorite is the 6200.00 Tri-Planar, but he said this gets 90% of
the way there for less than 1/3rd the price...... I plan to initially
use my existing Lyra Kleos with it, but the great thing about using
this arm, is that I also may want to try one of Ortofon's SPU reissues
as I listen to a lot of late 50s, early 60s jazz.....
I became a little bored with my VPI Classic3 and so I'm excited to
see how this compares........ If I decide to swap cartridges, in addition
to an SPU later, I might change from the Kleos to an Ortofon Cadenza Black.
One other thing I ordered is the Acoustical Systems Arche' Headshell
which gives you vta and azimuth adjustments right at the headshell, which
I think will be very slick.......
- Thread Author
- #39
its a great setup. i too was bored, after 5 vpi's and looking for something else.and was close to buying a 6th vpi. then the merrill popped up. and im so glad it did. the ta110 arm is great and once your cart is secured and aligned its so easy to pop em off and on. and i heard the MW with the triplanar a couple times, it is better but not near doubling the price of the table better. kleos is a great cartridge, ive actually heard it on classic 3 numerous times you cant go wrong.the cadenza black or bronze is a great way to go on the ortofon arm(obviously) i would not change a thing right now. except i would love to get one of those arche headshells as well. but im waiting to get a second cartridge, so i can put the arche on my black and use my stock headshell for a new cart. maybe a mono.
great setup and best of luck with it and congrats, oh btw i love the new black color of the 101.2 makes it look way better.
great setup and best of luck with it and congrats, oh btw i love the new black color of the 101.2 makes it look way better.
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asindc
Member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2013
- Messages
- 784
I highly recommend the Cadenza Black (or Bronze, depending on your setup). Ortofon's Cadenza line is, if anything, underrated.