My Little Barn
- Thread starter dcc
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Over the last months I have come to the conclusion that my Transfiguration Proteus Diamond cartridge is not the ideal match with the Phasemation EA-2000 phono stage and its dedicated SUT. I am therefore looking for a new cart but I wanted to listen some new carts on my system before making a final choice.
François from Ana Mighty Sound came to visit me. We are very closed friends and two other audio buddies joined us. It was a gathering that we initially wanted to have in July but we had to delay it to September. The good thing is that, in the meantime, François had received some new top cartridges among other the Etsuro Bordeaux, the Etsuro Gold and the My Sonic Lab Signature Diamond.
I asked to bring these cartridges as well as the Phasemation PP 5000 and the Soundsmith Hyperion MK II MR.
All cartridges were mounted on the CS Port Linear tracking arm.
The Soundsmith Hyperion was not compatible with the Phasemation EA-2000 and we therefore excluded it from the set.
The Etsuro Bordeaux was a little bit too mellow to my liking so we focused on a fabulous trio: the Phasemation PP-5000, the My Sonic Lab Diamond and the Etsuro Gold.
We started with the Phasemation PP-5000. I already had the chance to listen to PP-5000 on my system several months ago. At the time, we mounted it on the SAT tonearm. I found that it actually sounded better on the CS Port linear tracking arm. The sound beautiful sound but maybe too 'polite'.
The MSL Diamond is the new kid on the block. It is a Platinum Signature on steroids. More of everything with the typical MSL sonic traits.
But the star of the evening for me was the Etsuro Gold with a wide soundstage, fabulous bottom octave, plenty of details as well as a warm sound. As I am looking for a cartridge with a different sonic signature than my current ones (MSL Platinum Signature, Phasemation PP-2000 and Lyra Etna), The Etsuro Gold is the obvious choice.
Now I just need to order it...
François from Ana Mighty Sound came to visit me. We are very closed friends and two other audio buddies joined us. It was a gathering that we initially wanted to have in July but we had to delay it to September. The good thing is that, in the meantime, François had received some new top cartridges among other the Etsuro Bordeaux, the Etsuro Gold and the My Sonic Lab Signature Diamond.
I asked to bring these cartridges as well as the Phasemation PP 5000 and the Soundsmith Hyperion MK II MR.
All cartridges were mounted on the CS Port Linear tracking arm.
The Soundsmith Hyperion was not compatible with the Phasemation EA-2000 and we therefore excluded it from the set.
The Etsuro Bordeaux was a little bit too mellow to my liking so we focused on a fabulous trio: the Phasemation PP-5000, the My Sonic Lab Diamond and the Etsuro Gold.
We started with the Phasemation PP-5000. I already had the chance to listen to PP-5000 on my system several months ago. At the time, we mounted it on the SAT tonearm. I found that it actually sounded better on the CS Port linear tracking arm. The sound beautiful sound but maybe too 'polite'.
The MSL Diamond is the new kid on the block. It is a Platinum Signature on steroids. More of everything with the typical MSL sonic traits.
But the star of the evening for me was the Etsuro Gold with a wide soundstage, fabulous bottom octave, plenty of details as well as a warm sound. As I am looking for a cartridge with a different sonic signature than my current ones (MSL Platinum Signature, Phasemation PP-2000 and Lyra Etna), The Etsuro Gold is the obvious choice.
Now I just need to order it...
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I also have the Etsuro Gold on the CS Port linear arm. It is a wonderful combination.
MSL cartridges also work great with the linear arm (I had the Signature Gold previously mounted on it).
Also the Murasakino Sumile (both mono (green) and stereo (violet)) cartridges work great on the linear arm. They are also wonderful cartridges. The mono is the best I’ve heard for mono playback.
MSL cartridges also work great with the linear arm (I had the Signature Gold previously mounted on it).
Also the Murasakino Sumile (both mono (green) and stereo (violet)) cartridges work great on the linear arm. They are also wonderful cartridges. The mono is the best I’ve heard for mono playback.
Looks lovely @dcc ,
Always fun to testdrive different cartridges. Glad you found your choice of cart
!Since the Etsuro Gold was better fitted on your linear tracking arm, I suggest you donate the SAT-arm to me.. As it was made in Sweden, I think it’s maybe homesick, and may do better here at my place.. LOL.. how about that.. what do you say..
??!!/ Jk
Good morning Iaxel! Very interested by your feeling, as I have actually a MSL Gold; what do you prefer with Etsuro Gold, compared to MSL Gold? Did you try MSL Platinum?
Lovely cart collection, i had a transfiguration temper w for some weeks here.
One of best musical carts i know , the flow is outstanding
One of best musical carts i know , the flow is outstanding
The Etsuro sounds more spacious and has more air with higher resolution. The MSL Gold has beautiful mids and a more dense sound. Both are very high end/quality. At the end, for my musical tastes, I prefer the Etsuro Gold (classical music).
I have not heard/auditioned the MSL Platinum. I do know that some prefer the warmer sound of the Gold.
I am afraid to disappoint you but Marc Gomez has relocated the production of his tonearms to Spain. SAT is more like 'Spanish' Audio TechnologyLooks lovely @dcc ,
Always fun to testdrive different cartridges. Glad you found your choice of cart
Since the Etsuro Gold was better fitted on your linear tracking arm, I suggest you donate the SAT-arm to me.. As it was made in Sweden, I think it’s maybe homesick, and may do better here at my place.. LOL.. how about that.. what do you say..
/ Jk
The SAT with the Phasemation PP-2000 is a killer combo.
Haha yea I know, but in the beginning, the SAT tonearms were build in Hasselblad Camera’s facilitys in Gothenburg, Sweden. Quite close to were I live… so I figured… LOL..!!! Was worth a try anyway.. LOL!!! I was into getting one to my Ascona Neo, but ended up with their own TA-9000 12” arm, which I’m very happy with.I am afraid to disappoint you but Marc Gomez has relocated the production of his tonearms to Spain. SAT is more like 'Spanish' Audio Technology
The SAT with the Phasemation PP-2000 is a killer combo.
I would love to hear your SAT/PP-2000 combo.
/ Jk
I believe it is one of very first MSL Diamond carts being delivered in Europe. It has all the qualities of the Platinum but just better: better extension, better micro-details, faster etc. It has clearly the same type of sonic signature of the Platinum. I you like the Platinum, you are going to love the Diamond. I much prefer it to the PP-5000. It is the second best carts I have ever listened to so far and I had the chance to listen to a lots of cartridges in my own system and at François' place.
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Interesting comparison and findings.
It looks like, that different tonearms have a strong influence,
Using the Glanz MH-124s or the AS Axion tonearm the PP-5000 outperformed the Etsuro Gold. Using my SME 3012r the Etsuro was the better match.
Both with EA-2000 phonostage as well.
For Hyperion I do use the 1:10 consolidated audio step up, but even than , not the league of PP-5000 or Etsuro Gold.
As I like MSL carts, hopefully I will get the chance to listen to the new Diamond cart.
The Ikeda Akiko might be another alternative in this group of carts.
It looks like, that different tonearms have a strong influence,
Using the Glanz MH-124s or the AS Axion tonearm the PP-5000 outperformed the Etsuro Gold. Using my SME 3012r the Etsuro was the better match.
Both with EA-2000 phonostage as well.
For Hyperion I do use the 1:10 consolidated audio step up, but even than , not the league of PP-5000 or Etsuro Gold.
As I like MSL carts, hopefully I will get the chance to listen to the new Diamond cart.
The Ikeda Akiko might be another alternative in this group of carts.
as a customer you can do this.Or buy from a vendor you trust, that has listened to the specific cart.
as a dealer it becomes complicated
as a distributor nearly impossible
I have found out my vendor stopped selling VDH for that same reason, he was sending back 30-40%. To much hassle
At least he picked me a nice one first.
I just placed an order for an Etsuro Gold. The lead time for delivery is about three months. If everything goes, it will be under the Christmas tree...
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