Cartridge Suggestion

[Grady98]

Please give me some suggestions to help my research and decide on a cartridge. For reference, I was using a Transfiguration Protues until a recent problem diagnosed as a “coil malfunction” after 500 hours unfortunately. Currently using my backup Ortofon Jubilee, love it but it is sitting at around 1,200 hours and 12 years old.

My analog rig is a Basis Vector 4 tonearm, Basis 2200 sig table driving an Allnic H3000 phono pre. My initail interests are in the following order:

Ortofon Black Cadenza (cousin to the Jubilee)
Lyra Kleos
Ortofon Windfeld TI
Sound-Smith Zephyer Star or Sussuro or Paua or ???

Thanks in advance for any input since there is no dress rehearsal with phono carts.

 

[Barry2013]

I recently bought a new Etsurro Urushi Cobalt and it is an absolutely outstanding cartridge.
Balances all the virtues.

 

[Grady98]

Thanks for the feedback. That is my understanding of the Windfeld, might be a little warm for my tastes and system.

Even though I use Thiels which have the reputation of being hot they aren’t in my room. I enjoyed the Proteus and all the detail and textures. I also listen to mostly classic rock, indie, blues, folk, jazz. Most anything but classical and hip hop. So I need a revealing dynamic cartridge.

Never thought I would own a Lyra because of potential leanness. But the detail and purity I’ve read about interests me.

 

[westlower]

Another Etsuro Urushi Cobalt user here!...

It's an incredible cartridge, balanced and classy.

I've had the privilage of hearing the complete range of Etsuro cartridges all the way up to Special editions of both the Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux and Top of the Range Gold cartridges on many occasions and the approach to presentation from the whole range is very special indeed.
The Etsuro Urushi Bordeaux 'special' was a real sweet spot!

For what it's worth, I have a friend who has just replaced his Transfiguration diamond cantilever cartridge for an Etsuro Urushi Cobalt.. and he has no regrets at all.

Good luck with the search

 

[Grady98]

Thanks guys, have not heard the Etsuro line before, looks interesting!

I hope they are more stable than Transfiguration, part of the reason I am considering the cartridges I listed.

 

[Barry2013]

All the Etsuros are very special cartridges.
108CY is the guy to get in touch with. Very approachable and helpful.

 

[Grady98]

Thanks Barry

 

[bazelio]

The Soundsmith carts aren't a good match for SUTs. So I'd suggest avoiding those with the Allnic.

 

[Grady98]

Thanks bazelio. Did not realize.

 

[Grady98]

The Soundsmith carts aren't a good match for SUTs. So I'd suggest avoiding those with the Allnic.

why is that bazelio?

 

[bazelio]

why is that bazelio?

It's a low output high inductance moving iron cart. Even at the max load spec of 470ohm there will be high frequency rolloff. That's a 1:10 SUT in to a 47k ohm phono, and might not be enough gain for the low cartridge output. But then increasing the SUT gain will worsen the rolloff. Best bet is to avoid using a SUT with the Soundsmiths IMO.

 

[Grady98]

Interesting, thanks

 

[Grady98]

I ended up with a Ortofon Cadenza Black and I must say it is excellent. It betters my former reference Transfiguration Proteus....a nice surprise!