What Cartridge(s) Is Everyone Using
- Thread starter steve williams
- Start date
I've given the photo the necessary long-storage look to go with my vintage predilection. It's my Garrard 301 with an SPU.
I own two cartridges, each mounted on their own JMW 10.5i arm tube. One is a stereo cartridge - a Lyra Skala. The other is a mono cartridge - a Lyra Helkon mono. Both cartridges, not surprisingly, sound like they were cut from the same cloth. But with best mono records, the mono cartridge works magic with natural tone that's not heard with the stereo cartridge. Probably the most realistic sound I get in terms of natural tone and timbre comes from the Helikon mono. The Skala, on the other hand, resolves more information, and is also faster and more dynamic than it's mono sibling. Both are great cartridges.
garylkoh
WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
Don't know if anyone else has already posted this cartridge (45 pages is way too many to remember!) but here's the Soundsmith Hyperion I used 2 weeks ago at the New York Audio Show. I'll be bringing it to Malaysia for a private show there too - more details here: http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showt...ch-event-with-Air-Force-ONE-Viola-and-Gryphon
I've got the ZYX Universe 2 in for review right now and should have the SS Hyperion 2 and Ikeda 9TT (eventually Kai) in about a month for review. That'll be closely followed by the new Transfiguration Proteus (that at the NY Show acquitted itself extremely well mounted in the Helius arm vs. the Dynavector XV1T in the Triplanar; both were on the entry level, 175#, Red Point table.) Of course my current reference is the Lyra Atlas. Be a nice survey
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garylkoh
WBF Technical Expert (Speakers & Audio Equipment)
I've got the ZYX Universe 2 in for review right now and should have the SS Hyperion 2 and Ikeda 9TT (eventually Kia) in about a month for review. That'll be closely followed by the new Transfiguration Proteus (that at the NY Show acquitted itself extremely well mounted in the Helius arm vs. the Dynavector XV1T in the Triplanar; both were on the entry level, 175#, Red Point table.) Of course my current reference is the Lyra Atlas. Be a nice survey
That will be a very nice coterie of cartridges to compare. The XV1s was one of my favourite cartridges, I haven't heard the XV1t. I really, really like the Hyperion (especially this special one with 1k loading that Peter made).
i dont know how you do it. having the AF1 sitting there starring back at you from it's crate is akin to a never driven mclaren p1 in your garage patiently waiting for the battery to recharge or somesuch
:b
I have not. It's been on my mind for a few years now...Still resisting the temptation. It will be a cart of the future eventually.
i dont know how you do it. having the AF1 sitting there starring back at you from it's crate is akin to a never driven mclaren p1 in your garage patiently waiting for the battery to recharge or somesuch
My HRS TechDAS isolation platform arrived yesterday. I am currently reconfiguring my racks and wires to accommodate it. A couple more weeks and it will be fired up. Things sound so good with my master innovation, it makes the wait bearable.
Word of mouth. The xV 1s is very popular. I know the 1t brings that goodness to another level. Plus I know a guy with the AF1 using it with the Graham Elite prototype. He loves it.
Love my Dynavector XV-1t . Played around with the cartridge loading ... 75 ohms on my set up was heaven. 80 ohms.... the boat sailed without you. Spec sheets don't lie. Same with the XV-1s, sweet setting was 30 ohms , Spec sheet ... 30 ohms , 50 ohms... not good.
Nice phono stage! It would be my choice if I could afford it. Presently, I have Pass Labs' top-of-the-line of ten years ago, the XOno. However, now that I have two turntables, I would love to have an XP-25.
Best regards,
John Elison
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