Opus1 vs. MSL Platinum

bonzo75

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Dvuc

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I am wondering what kind of cantilever does Opus -1 have? It should be boron but Jonathan Valin in his review said ultra-hard duralmin...
 

Dvuc

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Thx Peter. Difference in cantilever can explain sound difference between Opus - 1 and Signature Platinum. Similar like cantilever difference between Eminent GL and PC-1 Supreme ( same motor )
 

PeterA

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Thx Peter. Difference in cantilever can explain sound difference between Opus - 1 and Signature Platinum. Similar like cantilever difference between Eminent GL and PC-1 Supreme ( same motor )

Yes, I think I read somewhere, perhaps an early review of the Opus1 by Valin, that there are two design features of the Opus1 which are borrowed from the MSL Signature Gold. The cantilever is one of them. Perhaps the designer liked what he heard with the Sig. Gold which he developed after the AirTight Supreme and incorporated some of that sound in the Opus1 which followed. Then the Signature Platinum followed that. Internal impedance and output are other areas where these four cartridges can be compared and contrasted.
 

Tango

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Would you mind making a video of the same Keb Mo song on the EMT/Atlas so that I can hear your version of heaven?

Here it is Peter. I will make it easy for you.

EMT 927/Ortofon 297/AtlasSL


AF1/SAT/MSL


Kronos/SAT/Opus1


Have fun :)

Tang
 
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PeterA

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Fun indeed, Tang. Thanks so much. They are all great, but different. I agree with you that the Atlas "Lyra sound" does not sound in your system as it is described is some others. I went back and forth many times, and though I realize these videos through computer and headphones are not what you hear live in your room, I did hear noticeable differences. I like the high frequencies and sense of ease with the MSL. I also like the control and even sound of the Atlas. The Kronos/Opus is my least favorite because of the slightly soft transients to the guitar plucks. It might better with massed strings and female voice. The Atlas sounds like it has qualities of both the Opus and the MSL. I'd have a hard time choosing between the Atlas and MSL combinations with this particular recording. It might be easier listening to the actual system. Again, I love the silence of the grooves. Non audiophiles would be astonished that vinyl can sound like this.

I really appreciate the time you spent recording and sharing these videos. You have a real passion and incredible system and collection of vinyl sources. It will surely be fascinating to see what the American Sound and 3012R bring to mix.
 

MadFloyd

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This was fun to listen to. Which one is the Lyra Atlas? Neither - 'BKK' or 'MSL Plat' say Lyra or Atlas to me....

I liked the Kronos/Opus 1 presentation of the vocal although I don't know if it was supposed to sound that way as it was very full sounding (and many modern blues recordings tend to be EQ'd to sound old and 'authentic'...). The guitar did not have as much sparkle with this combination.

The first two combos sounded very similar to me.
 

ddk

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I didn't think that you could hear major differences this way but it's very clear and only one sounds natural and un-hyped :).

The other two are more or less interchangeable.

david

Here it is Peter. I will make it easy for you.

EMT 927/Ortofon 297/AtlasSL


AF1/SAT/MSL


Kronos/SAT/Opus1


Have fun :)

Tang
 

Tango

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Tang
all sound great [except that bloody phone]

Maybe you like the sound of my phone more if I put it on Taiko Tana and ground it with Tripoint.

Tang:p
 

Tango

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This was fun to listen to. Which one is the Lyra Atlas? Neither - 'BKK' or 'MSL Plat' say Lyra or Atlas to me....

I am also surprised by how Un-Atlas it sounds.

Tang
 

Tango

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I didn't think that you could hear major differences this way but it's very clear and only one sounds natural and un-hyped :).

The other two are more or less interchangeable.

david

The vintage tt, arm and I think the copper wire make it the way it is. All my arms have silver wire except this one.

Tang
 

ddk

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The vintage tt, arm and I think the copper wire make it the way it is. All my arms have silver wire except this one.

Tang

The homogenization is probably the silver wire, do you silver in other places too?

david
 

PeterA

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I didn't think that you could hear major differences this way but it's very clear and only one sounds natural and un-hyped :).

The other two are more or less interchangeable.

david

That's interesting, David. Madfloyd and I think the Atlas and MSL sound more similar to each other and that the Opus is the one that sounds most different. I presume you think the natural, un-hyped one is the EMT/Atlas and that the Opus and MSL are hyped respectively in different directions. If that is wrong, could you clarify or explain?

What is fascinating is that differences do come through pretty clearly for a video played back over a computer and headphones. Another guy I sent these to commented that the horn/tube sound came through quite clearly on all three videos. I did not get that characterization, but I do hear clear differences which I'm not confident I could ascribe to the particular turntables, arms, or cartridges, let alone tonearm wiring. Too many variables for me to separate, especially over a computer/headphone system and remote listening.
 

Tango

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The homogenization is probably the silver wire, do you silver in other places too?

david

I use MIT interconnects and speaker cables. I don’t think they are silver. Ralph of Cessaro brought silver speaker cables for me to try once. I thought it was a bit blingie, sparkle highs and had less textural details in voices than the MIT. So I stick with what I have.

Tang
 

PeterA

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I didn't think that you could hear major differences this way but it's very clear and only one sounds natural and un-hyped :).

The other two are more or less interchangeable.

david

David, Tang, do you think the differences in sound are more the result of the different turntables and tonearms and wires, or the different cartridges? Or is it hard to say?
 

ddk

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I use MIT interconnects and speaker cables. I don’t think they are silver. Ralph of Cessaro brought silver speaker cables for me to try once. I thought it was a bit blingie, sparkle highs and had less textural details in voices than the MIT. So I stick with what I have.

Tang
Good!

david
 

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