Cartridges probably are the most difficult component to compare. There is the variability about setting up two different cartridges as similarly as possible, one after the other, on the same tonearm. There also is the fact that sample-to-sample variation among different copies of the same model of cartridge exceeds the sample-to-sample variation of any other type of component.
Selecting a cartridge is the only decision I have yet to make to have all of the components of my future system resolved. On the one hand I am considering the Air Tight PC-1 Supreme and Opus and the My Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent Ex and Platinum Signature.
On the other hand I am considering the Koetsu Blue Lace and Coralstone (while also being reluctant to eliminate the Rosewood Signature Platinum because I know (ok, I don’t know but I very strongly suspect) I would love how it sounds).
On the third hand I have the recent entrance as a contender of the ZYX UNIverse Premium-X.
On the fourth hand I know I would like the Benz Micro LP S-MR (I used the Ruby II for the last 16 years and Marty likes his NOS LP S-MR) but the lack of clarity on who is making the new cartridges and exactly how the new production LP S-MR differs from the original LP S-MR (a November 2014 press release on the Benz Micro website states that "advances in design and materials have resulted in new Benz Micro models that surpass all previous versions") has made me wary of the new LP S-MR. And I do not know of anyone who has heard a new production LP S-MR.
Just to make it more complicated, other than Robert Harley, I do not know of anyone who has auditioned any of these cartridges on the Basis Audio Superarm 9.
Selfishly, I have to start somewhere trying to eliminate some of the contenders. Anecdotally and from discussions with audiophiles it seems that the people who have a lot of experience with the Koetsus have not had much, or any, experience with either the Air Tights or the My Sonic Labs.
So this post is an all points bulletin for anyone who has a material amount of listening experience with either the Air Tight or the My Sonic Lab and one of the listed Koetsus to report his listening impressions and compare and contrast those particular cartridges.
Thank you.
Selecting a cartridge is the only decision I have yet to make to have all of the components of my future system resolved. On the one hand I am considering the Air Tight PC-1 Supreme and Opus and the My Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent Ex and Platinum Signature.
On the other hand I am considering the Koetsu Blue Lace and Coralstone (while also being reluctant to eliminate the Rosewood Signature Platinum because I know (ok, I don’t know but I very strongly suspect) I would love how it sounds).
On the third hand I have the recent entrance as a contender of the ZYX UNIverse Premium-X.
On the fourth hand I know I would like the Benz Micro LP S-MR (I used the Ruby II for the last 16 years and Marty likes his NOS LP S-MR) but the lack of clarity on who is making the new cartridges and exactly how the new production LP S-MR differs from the original LP S-MR (a November 2014 press release on the Benz Micro website states that "advances in design and materials have resulted in new Benz Micro models that surpass all previous versions") has made me wary of the new LP S-MR. And I do not know of anyone who has heard a new production LP S-MR.
Just to make it more complicated, other than Robert Harley, I do not know of anyone who has auditioned any of these cartridges on the Basis Audio Superarm 9.
Selfishly, I have to start somewhere trying to eliminate some of the contenders. Anecdotally and from discussions with audiophiles it seems that the people who have a lot of experience with the Koetsus have not had much, or any, experience with either the Air Tights or the My Sonic Labs.
So this post is an all points bulletin for anyone who has a material amount of listening experience with either the Air Tight or the My Sonic Lab and one of the listed Koetsus to report his listening impressions and compare and contrast those particular cartridges.
Thank you.
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