Accession finally here

pcourtney wrote: I have been using my Accession for nearly 18 months, and I have no need to go back to MC, no doubt many will say how good the Accession MC is, and some will say now much better it is than the Accession MM, more fool them I say :-)

RichW wrote: Ortofon Cadenza Blue MC played through Elevator EXP & Accession MM sounds sensational & it'll be interesting to compare this with the Accession MC - with an open mind.

This is a comparison many of us are looking forward to listening to.

The Elevator/Reflex MM combination fared much better than the Reflex MC in my opinion so it promises to be a very interesting listen...when it's available

My two cents is that MC can be better, but it seems to be a bit program dependent. I used an Ortofon 2M Black for quite a while, and really enjoyed it. I tended to listen to my pop collection quite a bit more than my classical collection, but I thought it was just a phase.

However, a little while ago the opportunity for a low-mileage Rega Apheta 2 came up, and I took it. Of course, that meant I had to buy the EXP as well, but that’s just fine, as it will service all future MC purchases. Listening to pop/rock records was modestly better than on the Black, and I wondered if my investment was really worth it. Then I played some of my classical material and then I realised I’d done the right thing. The extra separation, the more focused AND broader soundstage, and the significant jump in texture and low level dynamics was blatantly obvious. It added to my enjoyment of the music immensely. Jazz records tend to benefit from much more texture of instruments and a more realistic stage presence.

When I return to pop albums they sound a bit more slickly produced, but the cost wouldn’t be worth it to me. Jazz and classical the cost is a no brainer for me.

I’d be very interested to hear the new top of the line Clearaudio MM, which retails for roughly the same price as the Apheta 2. At the same time, I’m hanging out to hear the Hana and Shelter carts many here are so happy with, which are also much cheaper.

My 50th birthday is five years and four months away. If I give up my morning coffee purchase ($3.50 a day), then I could save more than $6,500 by then. Hmm...
Mick.