Thoughts on the EAT C series tables

I never did get to hear the EAT.  I ended up with the Kuzma Ref 2, which while a stretch of my price range, has been a great purchase. I went with the Kuzma Ref 313 Gimbal arm. I still have an Amadeus Mk 1, which I use in a small (room) setup with Harbeth P3's. and a Croft phono integrated. I think the Amadeus may be so good at what it does right, that you may need to spend double to beat it. Speaking of that $5-6K range...is it me, or does it seem like there isn't as many choices. How much is the Spacedeck? I almost went with the Kuzma Pipe Bomb 12" stretch version, which would be in that general price range. Talk about a different beast looks wise, I could see most either loving or hating it. 

Thanks Uber and Fjn.  Very helpful information.  I agree that the Amadeus does and awful lot really well and I’m not really inclined to replace it.  I just have that bug to try something new after about 5 years.  I’m sure you can relate.  

With the EAT I worry I would be making a move for a trophy wife and then missing the connection I have in my existing relationship with my Amadeus.  But if I thought I would be getting a sonic upgrade I would be tempted.  I’m just not sure. 

And the Spacedeck has always intrigued me.  I think new it is or was in the $5-6k range but I can’t afford that and used I’ve seen them for $2K or less.  

A Transfiguration Orpheus cartridge going into a Shindo Monbrison preamp constitutes the rest of the analog chain.  For now of course.  

Have you tried an SUT in to the Monbrison. The Orpheus is supposed to be a wonderful cartridge... I tried several SUT's, and direct in to a Monbrison when I owned it. This was using a Koetsu, so my opinion should be taken with extra grains of salt.... The SUT's in general, provided more force/drive than direct in to the Shindo/Lundahls. This was my findings with Koetsu anyway. Five years is a long time in audio years, and we all get the itch every so often, but I'm skeptical about doing better than the Amadeus for under 5K for table/arm. There was a great price on a Kuzma Ref here at one point recently, but it was over $3K sans arm. 

Interesting that you mention the SUT.  About a year ago I got a great deal on an Auditorium 23 SUT (not the Homage unfortunately), the one for very low output cartridges (so the one that matches best to the Orpheus).  I tried it as an experiment expecting the difference to be fairly minor but it was significant so I kept it.  Most noticeably it enlarged the soundstage and enhanced the separation between the images and the clarity/definition of each image in the mix.  

It did intriduce a small amount of background hum that no amount of fiddling with cables or grounds could get rid of, but the hum is small and it stops as soon as the needle hits the record, so not a big deal. 

Honestly my system is singing nicely these days and I think I should probably keep the Amadeus.  But you know how it goes with the itch.  

For an excellent bargain my dealer has been selling the EAT C-Sharp w/white trim. Eat decided not to make anymore white trim. However you get the TT for $3500 w/the Jo No5 cart. Excellent cart.