Frank, how would you describe the differences between the Goldfinger Statement and the Koetsu Coralstone? Which do you listen to more often?
Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement v2
- Thread starter jfrech
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Frank, how would you describe the differences between the Goldfinger Statement and the Koetsu Coralstone? Which do you listen to more often?
Now I switch between them every 3 or 4 months. Thought about a second arm but haven't felt the need to move on it.
To me, Goldfinger has more detail, more dynamic, better bass. Coralstone is sweeter, smoother, better midrange. Better in this case being my opinion and what appeals to me. I'm not an absolute sound kind of guy. Different presentation but I like them both equally.
thanks.
of course, I have the Ortofon MC Anna right here mounted on the Telos Sapphire. yesterday Jazdoc came over and he assisted (I mostly watched
) in getting a more exact set-up done (I then had 5-6 hours on the GFS). we raised the VTF from 2.76 grams to 2.87 grams as well as a bit better geometry from my 'cowboy set-up' from the previous night.we did a few back and forth's with the Anna. as clearly the GFS is improving I have no conclusions yet but it seems to go beyond the Anna so far......and I love the Anna. there is another degree of clarity and total authority and dynamic punch and focus with the GFS as well as a greater soundstage without any 'balloon' affect. but to be fair to the Anna I will need to do a dedicated back and forth down the road.
the Anna has the advantage of the better tonearm; the Telos Sapphire is a level beyond my stock Telos and the Sapphire has the better phono cable. my dart pre has 2 separate identical phono stages. the one for the Anna (.14mv) is set at 69 db of gain, the one for the GFS (.6mv) is set at 57db of gain.
cannot say about the ZYX Universe Premium, A95 or XV-1t.
I will point out that the Goldfinger, is a different cartridge from the Goldfinger v2, which is also different from the Goldfinger Statement (GFS). just trying to avoid adding to any confusion.
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the Coralstone was likely the other leading choice as I was thinking of adding a cartridge these past weeks. and your contrast between the two would be my general expectation.
thanks Frank.
Thanks Frank. Those are interesting descriptions, and very similar to the way I think about my two main cartridges, the MSL Signature Gold, and the AirTight Supreme, with two slight differences. The MSL seems also more extended in both highs and lows, and now that my rebuilt sample has 45 hours on it, I'm noticing a new quality which I'm just starting to grasp: Musical Energy. The MSL captures this quality of life, realism and energy from recordings that I have heard in close proximity to certain live instruments, particularly the cello and the piano. I'm thinking of starting a new thread on the topic.
If I owned your two cartridges, I think I would prefer the Coralstone listening to chamber scale strings and vocals, while I might prefer the Goldfinger on orchestral, jazz and more up beat music. I find myself switching cartridges perhaps once or twice a year. Two arms would be great, but as you know, the SME can not accommodate that.
I happen to have the Coralstone on the arm presently but all the Goldfinger talk has me wanting to make the switch. It has been at least a few months. Only thing is I have the Coralstone dialed in as well as I've ever heard it and I hesitate to screw with it right now. I guess it's not the worst problem to have.
My friend has the Goldfinger and the Goldfinger statement.
The Statement is better in every parameter.
Today in one exibition in Milan i listen the new My Sonic Lab Signature Platinum,new cartridge like Air tight made the Opus,The company who made is the same.
I cannot give one judgment because was in system and room i dont know,but distibutors told has more details and dynamic than Signature Gold
The Statement is better in every parameter.
Today in one exibition in Milan i listen the new My Sonic Lab Signature Platinum,new cartridge like Air tight made the Opus,The company who made is the same.
I cannot give one judgment because was in system and room i dont know,but distibutors told has more details and dynamic than Signature Gold
Gian60, could you expand a little more on your thoughts on the new MSL Platinum. I have heard that this cartridge is on another plain entirely! Supposedly a big step up in SQ over the likes of the Lyra Atlas, the Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement etc.,!!
I have not heard it and it seems very few others have either. The press certainly seems to be sterling; but I have to wonder??
This is the rarefied world of $15K cartridges. My Signature Gold has more details (resolution) and dynamics than my AirTight Supreme, so if the Sig. Platinum has even more, that would really be something. There seems to be some experience with the AirTight Opus, but I have not read anything about the MSL Platinum, except for these brief comments from gian60. AJ Conti was the importer/distributor for MSL in the US, but the brand was not heavily marketed and there were few if any reviews of their top models.
If I were in this market, I would try my best to hear at least two of them before buying, but, as we know, that is not always easy. Albert Porter has the AT Opus. It is very hard to find anyone who has done direct comparisons between these in the same system.
Bruce B
WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Congrats Mike!
I had the GFS before I got the Coralstone. Just wasn't my cup of tea.
I listen the MSL signature Platinum in milan exibition
The system was
Vertere with MSL signature Platinum
Amp FM entry level
speaker Ubiq.
The MSL sounded very natural,open,fast and dynamic,but until you dont try at home or in a system of some friends you cannot understand well.
The distributor my friend,told me that,ha has also Atlas and Gold Signature,the Platinum is more natural than others,with a lot of details but sweet,and he told is the best cartridge he listen in his life.He know very well the Koetsu,but he doesnt like and he never listen the Goldfinger statement.
Other my friend is italian distributors of Air tight and Koetsu,but he didnt listen until now the Opus
The system was
Vertere with MSL signature Platinum
Amp FM entry level
speaker Ubiq.
The MSL sounded very natural,open,fast and dynamic,but until you dont try at home or in a system of some friends you cannot understand well.
The distributor my friend,told me that,ha has also Atlas and Gold Signature,the Platinum is more natural than others,with a lot of details but sweet,and he told is the best cartridge he listen in his life.He know very well the Koetsu,but he doesnt like and he never listen the Goldfinger statement.
Other my friend is italian distributors of Air tight and Koetsu,but he didnt listen until now the Opus
I was thinking of replacing my MSL Signature Gold with the Platinum but I have not seen any reviews yet, is there one? Also I have a Rogers PA-1A Phono Stage and would like to know what is the very best loading (resistive and capacitive) for the Gold. Cheers.
I have a MSL Sig Gold and here are my settings: resistive - 1K ohms, capacitive - 100. That is with my Pass Labs XP25 phono stage. I think it depends heavily on the tonearm wire, the phono cable and the particular phono stage, so these values may not work best for you or for your taste. My phono is easily adjustable, I just played around until I found my favorite settings while listening to a variety of music.
Sorry to be off topic regarding the Goldfinger Statement.
Your's isn't so bad either compared to a barn
of course I'm speaking to the Cello...Similar threads
