What Cartridge(s) Is Everyone Using

[ALF]

Mounted this afternoon.

Takeda Miyabi MCA with Q4 stylus = EXPLOSIVE!

Hello Taksil, very nice Myiabi-Takeda San MCA; how does it like holding the groves while riding upside down?

 

[asiufy]

Hi,

Installed yesterday a Benz Micro LP-S, on a Kuzma Reference/313 VTA tonearm setup. Previous cartridge was the Ortofon A90, an excellent piece by any means. I wasn't expecting this, but the Benz sounds a whole lot better than the Ortofon, fuller sound, and it's not even broken it yet. It also tracks a million times better than the A90, with a lot less noise.

This hobby is indeed crazy...


alexandre

 

[andromedaaudio]

Decca






DSC_0450 by andromeda61, on Flickr

 

[Syntax]

A Game Changer

Fidelity Research FR-1 Mk3F
(rebuilt & modified in Japan 2012)

 

[MylesBAstor]

Hi,

Installed yesterday a Benz Micro LP-S, on a Kuzma Reference/313 VTA tonearm setup. Previous cartridge was the Ortofon A90, an excellent piece by any means. I wasn't expecting this, but the Benz sounds a whole lot better than the Ortofon, fuller sound, and it's not even broken it yet. It also tracks a million times better than the A90, with a lot less noise.

This hobby is indeed crazy...


alexandre

If I wasn't hung up on the Atlas, the Benz would be my second choice Sounded wonderful the last two years in the Vandy room at CES (mounted in the Clearaudio, two years ago and the AMG/Benz table this year)!

 

[garylkoh]

Here's a cartridge that just might be as rare as a Unicorn..... anyone recognize it?

View attachment 3442

 

[garylkoh]

It's got one of the tiniest cantilevers I've ever seen.

View attachment 3443

 

[jdza]

This is currently being made for me. It is a brand new design.I am very excited about this!According to the maker the parts still need some finer machining and finishing off. Looks fine to me!

 

[MylesBAstor]

Technics strain gauge?

 

[garylkoh]

Technics strain gauge?

Good try. No prize.

This is the Technics Strain Gauge.

 

[jdza]

Good try. No prize.

This is the Technics Strain Gauge.

Win strain gauge with a Soundsmith retip?

 

[Mosin]

I am currently using a Technics strain gauge with a Dave Slagel drive. I have an ElectroVoice strain gauge, too. I haven't found a way to mount it, and it needs a retip, so I may never hear it...too many projects, too little time.

I have also just received a Blue Angel Mantis which is a new generation that addresses the issues of earlier versions, but I haven't tried it, yet. It has a Lignum Vitae body and a Fritz Gyger II tip on a tapered aluminum cantilever. That makes it a bit different from jdza's new Blue Angel.

I guess I get the cookie for that one, right jdza?


Win

 

[jdza]

I am currently using a Technics strain gauge with a Dave Slagel drive. I have an ElectroVoice strain gauge, too. I haven't found a way to mount it, and it needs a retip, so I may never hear it...too many projects, too little time.

I have also just received a Blue Angel Mantis which is a new generation that addresses the issues of earlier versions, but I haven't tried it, yet. It has a Lignum Vitae body and a Fritz Gyger II tip on a tapered aluminum cantilever. That makes it a bit different from jdza's new Blue Angel.

I guess I get the cookie for that one, right jdza?




Win

Gmmpff.Not fair- You recognised the matchstick!

 

[Mosin]

Gmmpff.Not fair- You recognised the matchstick!

hehe.

If you haven't owned a Mantis before, expect something a bit different. It is supremely tonally correct, but it doesn't hide anything with extra splash, sizzle, warmth, etc. What it does is give an honest presentation, and that isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's mine, though.


Win

 

[jdza]

hehe.

If you haven't owned a Mantis before, expect something a bit different. It is supremely tonally correct, but it doesn't hide anything with extra splash, sizzle, warmth, etc. What it does is give an honest presentation, and that isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's mine, though.


Win

From what I understand this will be a totally different cart from the Mantis,but using some of the construction techniques and lessons learnt.So far Andre calls it the Dingus. I am sure he'll come up with an innovative name.

 

[flez007]

hehe.

If you haven't owned a Mantis before, expect something a bit different. It is supremely tonally correct, but it doesn't hide anything with extra splash, sizzle, warmth, etc. What it does is give an honest presentation, and that isn't everyone's cup of tea. It's mine, though.


Win

Mine as well!

 

[garylkoh]

Win strain gauge with a Soundsmith retip?

It's a Win Field Effect Transducer. First one I've seen - it belongs to Mr Winston Ma.

He said that it was one of three interesting cartridges he owns. We were going to use if for an upcoming project with two other cartridges (there will be more info on this project later). When he handed us the box last week, we thought that it was a Win Strain Gauge - until we took the Owner's Manual out just prior to mounting it on the turntable.

None of us had seen one before. We had only heard about it, like the proverbial sasquatch or unicorn.

 

[Mosin]

It's a Win Field Effect Transducer. First one I've seen - it belongs to Mr Winston Ma.

He said that it was one of three interesting cartridges he owns. We were going to use if for an upcoming project with two other cartridges (there will be more info on this project later). When he handed us the box last week, we thought that it was a Win Strain Gauge - until we took the Owner's Manual out just prior to mounting it on the turntable.

None of us had seen one before. We had only heard about it, like the proverbial sasquatch or unicorn.

Is that like the Weathers from yesteryear?

 

[garylkoh]

Is that like the Weathers from yesteryear?

Wasn't that the FM cartridge? It used frequency modulation as a means of signal generation.

 

[JackD201]

I changed my cart rotation a bit a couple of months ago when I added a third arm and a second turntable. Right now I have the A90 on the Phantom I, The DRT XV-1t on the Phantom II, and the MY Sonic Ultra Eminent BC on the TW arm on the AC-3. The ZYX Airy 3 S is on the Excalibur on the Rock 7.

I got word from my buddy, the local Lyra dealer that my Atlas will be here end of May. The new post and armboard for the Triplanar U2 will make it here before then. When it does it looks like the Koetsu Jade Platinum will go on the Triplanar, The Atlas on the Graham which JC says they've had good results with, and the A90 goes back in hiatus.