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Phono-Pre Amps & Cartridges Welcome to the Dark Side! |
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#1
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Cartridge Shopping Looking for Recommendations
Hello everyone, I’m shopping for a new cart and looking for recommendations from the experienced group here.
I’m currently running the MC Sumiko BlackBird Cart (0.7mV version) on a Pro-Ject Xtension 10 Turntable. Phono stage is internal to my VAC Signiture SE. Consider budget somewhat open just not crazy high. |
#2
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What kind of sound do you prefer? Cartridges are like speakers in that they have very real differences in sound signatures, from romantic to analytical. From Koetsu to Ortofon - a huge palette to choose from.
Your current cartridge is whispering upgrade....why? I had a Blackbird lo and I didn’t like it over the long haul. Sounded impressive at first but then was overall too sibilant for my tastes. Moving up the Sumiko line to the Palo Santos Presentation was a completely different experience. I really love it. I think reading Fremer’s reviews of your current cartridge and others is a good way to get you calibrated. I bought the Palo Santos after reading his review. The most neutral cartridge I've ever owned is a Dynavector D17v3. Still have it. Tom
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#3
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Tom makes some very valid points. Tell us more of what your after with respect to 'sound'. Myself, I've been a Benz Micro guy for some time now (Gullwing)
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#4
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And, I prefer Lyra, Ortofon & Audio Technica. As mentioned, most cartridge suppliers have a 'house sound', which becomes more 'refined' as one moves up their line.
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag |
#5
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Great points. Currently my system VERY SLIGHTLY leans towards a detailed, precise, and cooler sonic signature so I would like to avoid anything that would push me further in that direction. I was thinking of targeting a more balanced or slightly warm sounding cart. But not overboard with warmth to lose that speed/detail of instruments.
Reasons for upgrading, mostly age of current cart (4 years) but I’m also thinking this is one of the weaker spots in my system, relatively speaking. The Lyra Etna recently caught my attention but 1) I’m worried that might not be balenced or warm enough 2) cost was a little more than I wanted to spend. |
#6
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Quote:
If your 'arm is the 10cc EVO 10" Tonearm, the LP S with its 16g weight and 15 cu compliance should match well with 'arm resonance ~8Hz. It's a well built cartridge that will yield a touch of warmth and excellent frequency balance - with authoritative bass. Output is .36mv which should be fine with your VAC's 64db gain. The Etna is a nice cartridge, but I doubt you'd get from it what you're paying for with your current 'arm and 'table. |
#7
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What's the upper ceiling of your budget? It would be helpful to know if you're in the $2500, $6000 or $16,000 price range, 'cause there's a lot of possible recommendations under "crazy high".
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#8
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Let’s say $3000 - $6000ish.
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#9
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robd2.......Ortofon Cadenza Black.......and have enough money left for a nice little vacation.
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#10
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There are some very nice ZYX cartridges in that price range.
I have the ZYX Omega from the 4D series. ehoove did a nice review https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=26872 |
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