Lyra Etna, Miyajima Labs Madake or....?

[Believe High Fidelity]

Personally as a consumer I do not put much credence into the infomercials from Peter B.

I hope someone like Fremer reviews your Etsuro cartridge as he does know what he is reviewing whether you agree or not - he is consistent.

Well I have found individuals like Peter ready and willing to review exciting new gear like the Etsuro line of carts. Fremer OTOH has not even graced me with a response. I hope at some point he comes around...

Every reviewer has their own financial interests. Peter is very forthcoming when you ask him about a product. Many a friends have received buying advice from Peter and have been very happy with results. I feel there is more perception of audiophiles having camaraderie towards our appreciation of music through the systems we procure. Once a hot topic get introduced all bets are off and you start to see what lurks underneath. We all have this just it doesn't always make its way to the surface.

 

[squasher]

I have owned a Madake for a brief time and haven't yet found the magic that others have spoken about. Given that it is easily surpassed in my system by my other cartridge, an Ortofon A90, I suspect I don't have it set up optimally or haven't given it enough time.

For those of you with a Madake:
1) What are you using for tracking force?
2) Did it sound great out of the box?
3) Should there be any problems using it in combination with a Continuum Copperhead or Kuzma 4Point (the 2 arms I've tried it on)?

 

[bonzo75]

I have owned a Madake for a brief time and haven't yet found the magic that others have spoken about. Given that it is easily surpassed in my system by my other cartridge, an Ortofon A90, I suspect I don't have it set up optimally or haven't given it enough time.

For those of you with a Madake:
1) What are you using for tracking force?
2) Did it sound great out of the box?
3) Should there be any problems using it in combination with a Continuum Copperhead or Kuzma 4Point (the 2 arms I've tried it on)?

So, compared to the a90 are you finding it less resolving (almost muddy), less highs, etc

 

[audioblazer]

I have a A90 . Madake trounced it in all areas & sounded great new . Tracking ard recommended tracking force of 2.5g . In fact like I it much better than Koetsu Coralstone except for vocal presentation which has better resolution . In fact a friend of mine with SME V on SME 30/2 much prefer Madake to Coralstone & both of us sold the Coralstone .
Anybody is welcome to offer me a price for my A90 which has less than 200 hours on it

 

[squasher]

So, compared to the a90 are you finding it less resolving (almost muddy), less highs, etc

less resolving... yes
muddy... yes
less highs... yes

in addition,
dull
lifeless
poor tracker

I started with the suggested tracking force of 2.5 grams and had to increase this substantially (to over 3 grams) just so it wouldn't mistrack.

Admittedly, I haven't spent more than a few sessions trying to set it up.

 

[bonzo75]

less resolving... yes
muddy... yes
less highs... yes

in addition,
dull
lifeless
poor tracker

I started with the suggested tracking force of 2.5 grams and had to increase this substantially (to over 3 grams) just so it wouldn't mistrack.

Admittedly, I haven't spent more than a few sessions trying to set it up.

This is exactly what we heard compared to Zyx Uni II, and I like Ortofon a90 and a95

 

[audioblazer]

Pretty odd . 3 of my audio friends love madake . Anyway miyajima is coming out with a top model . If it's better than Madake , I would go for it

 

[bonzo75]

Pretty odd . 3 of my audio friends love madake . Anyway miyajima is coming out with a top model . If it's better than Madake , I would go for it

Well...I am not a Koetsu fan either. I think Koetsu, miyajima, have a different sound signature to Ortofon a90/a95, Lyra atlas, Zyx, or at lower prices audio technica art 9. Do you like any of those carts?

 

[audioblazer]

This is exactly what we heard compared to Zyx Uni II, and I like Ortofon a90 and a95

Your buddy Jazzhead heard it at my place . I don't thk he will describe it as muddy , dull & a poor tracker

 

[audioblazer]

Well...I am not a Koetsu fan either. I think Koetsu, miyajima, have a different sound signature to Ortofon a90/a95, Lyra atlas, Zyx, or at lower prices audio technica art 9. Do you like any of those carts?

So far I have heard A90 , ZYX Omega gold , Dynavector XV-1s , Coralstone & Zyx Universe II & Madake in my set. I do like Universe II mounted on Kronos tonearm & TT with the new psu . Fantastic . For the money, I would prefer Madake selling at prob 1/3 of Universe II

 

[bonzo75]

Your buddy Jazzhead heard it at my place . I don't thk he will describe it as muddy , dull & a poor tracker ??

Might be a set up thing. I heard it on FR 64 through shindo.

Your TT set up us much higher spec. Btw, your friends and you who prefer it...is it more for classical or non-classical

 

[squasher]

All of this leads me to believe that something is not right in my setup.

Strangely, I've setup many cartridges before so I don't what would be unique about the Madake. I suppose it could be a loading problem with my Phono Stage....

I'm grasping for straws or suggestions.

 

[PeterA]

I have owned a Madake for a brief time and haven't yet found the magic that others have spoken about. Given that it is easily surpassed in my system by my other cartridge, an Ortofon A90, I suspect I don't have it set up optimally or haven't given it enough time.

For those of you with a Madake:
1) What are you using for tracking force?
2) Did it sound great out of the box?
3) Should there be any problems using it in combination with a Continuum Copperhead or Kuzma 4Point (the 2 arms I've tried it on)?

squasher, have you tried directly comparing your Madake to your A90 in the same table/arm/cable combination? That should help you rule out certain other variables.

 

[squasher]

Yes, Peter, I will be swapping out the Madake and replacing it with the A90 as soon as I get the chance.

 

[Ozzi]

Yes, Peter, I will be swapping out the Madake and replacing it with the A90 as soon as I get the chance.

It is surprising that you compare completely different in design to the pickups!

 

[Ozzi]

Miyajima madake you can compare Ortofon SPU A95

 

[bonzo75]

Miyajima madake you can compare Ortofon SPU A95

Can you please explain?

 

[Ozzi]

Miyajima madake -sound similar to the Ortofon SPU A95 the tone of the sound is almost indistinguishable!
They both have similar characteristics.

 

[bonzo75]

Miyajima madake -sound similar to the Ortofon SPU A95 the tone of the sound is almost indistinguishable!
They both have similar characteristics.

I like anniversary SPUs on SET+horn based systems. They are good for piano, and individual tones of instruments, full bodied and musical. They are less resolving and have lower extensions than MC carts.

 

[Jeffy]

Squasher it sounds like the cartridge is defective. I would send it back and request another one. The Madake is so much better than the ZYX UNI II its not even close. It's one of the most musical cartridges I have heard. It is not rolled off and the bass is not loose. It likes 2.5, but use 2.6 grams when new. I like loading between 400 to 1000 ohms. What is the rest of your system. Thanks Jeff