If you could have any cartridge

**Mark Jones** · August 31, 2014, 09:05 PM

What would you choose, money no object.

I'll go first, not because its my fav but because I have never heard one,

The Lyra Atlas.

**dlb2** · August 31, 2014, 09:14 PM

I would go with an EMT JSD6. A few steps up from the the tsd15 that I have, it must sound fantastic.

**Mark Jones** · August 31, 2014, 09:17 PM

Have you heard the Brinkmann Ti Doug?

**Mike** · August 31, 2014, 09:21 PM

Ortofon MC Anna or Gold Finger.

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**Mark Jones** · August 31, 2014, 09:26 PM

I think the Anna is still my fav as long as its used with a high gain quiet phono-stage, being only .2mv

**rockitman** · August 31, 2014, 09:27 PM

Maybe after I send my recently busted Coralstone in for a new rebuild, I should go for a one piece diamond cantilever/stylus....that would be my dream cart..alas the stock boron one that I broke costs $4,500.00.

**Mike** · August 31, 2014, 09:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Jones

I think the Anna is still my fav as long as its used with a high gain quiet phono-stage, being only .2mv

Pass XS phono (TBD release date) could fit that bill.

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**dlb2** · August 31, 2014, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Jones

Have you heard the Brinkmann Ti Doug?

No I haven't, but would love to one day.

**Garth** · August 31, 2014, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Jones

What would you choose, money no object.

I'll go first, not because its my fav but because I have never heard one,

The Lyra Atlas.

+1 as I already have one and it took awhile to get they are in short supply very nice cartridge . Only so many can be made it is one guy doing the Atlas the other models are done by others but I have been told only one person is building the Atlas. I have no proof just what I was told. If you want one you may have a long wait. Best I have heard thou I not heard the other front runners.

**Dpod4** · August 31, 2014, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Ortofon MC Anna or Gold Finger.

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Add Benz LPS and Miyajima zero and I would be happy!

**Dpod4** · August 31, 2014, 09:56 PM

I am listening to Goldfinger statement thru kondo SUT into air tight ate 2001 MM and there is something other worldly about the sound. Just ran it into air tight ate 2001 MC and into arc ref2se MC and the kondo sut into air tight is the best to my ears. Not as dramatic and large as thru the arc ref2se but something beguiling about the sound.

I redid my system set up today. Lots of sweating. Since I sold my arc ref 40 i had chance to put air tight preamp in its place. With new Stillpoint ultra 5s underneath. And Stillpoint ultras under power supply. Deathly quiet. I was surprised. Lowered needle just to make sure I had a signal going.

**highEndguy** · August 31, 2014, 09:59 PM

Goldfinger and Benz LPS

And I'm very happy with the LPS

**Mike** · August 31, 2014, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by Dpod4

I am listening to Goldfinger statement thru kondo SUT into air tight ate 2001 MM and there is something other worldly about the sound. Just ran it into air tight ate 2001 MC and into arc ref2se MC and the kondo sut into air tight is the best to my ears. Not as dramatic and large as thru the arc ref2se but something beguiling about the sound.

I redid my system set up today. Lots of sweating. Since I sold my arc ref 40 i had chance to put air tight preamp in its place. With new Stillpoint ultra 5s underneath. And Stillpoint ultras under power supply. Deathly quiet. I was surprised. Lowered needle just to make sure I had a signal going.

Beautiful Darrin. Agree with you about the Benz Micro LP-S.

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**cmalak** · August 31, 2014, 10:32 PM

Prolly Lyra Atlas/Etna at one end of the spectrum to a Koetsu Jade/Urushi Red on the other end of the spectrum. But top end Lyra and toppish end Koetsu would be my pick(s)

**Mike Lavigne** · August 31, 2014, 11:54 PM

my choice is the Ortofon MC Anna which is what I use (for the last 2 years).....as others have also mentioned. it never fails to get to the heart of the music, whatever the style. and as I've fine tuned the surrounding gear I've not yet reached any sort of limit to it's upside. the information comes from the Anna complete for the downstream bits to take full advantage of.

I do think it's unique SLM (selective laser melting) titanium construction process and magnet design allows for mechanical refinement on a level beyond other cartridges.

I'm guessing there are a few other cartridges which could also float my boat were I to spend quality time to discover their charms.

**Petro85** · September 1, 2014, 01:04 AM

since i never lived with anything better than my present cartridge. which i love. but ive heard most of the big boys. some several times. i think the mc anna would be my choice. some one said in a previous thread i remember, that it has soul. and that is great description.
but truth be told id take any one if they were free.lmao!!!

**Steve** · September 1, 2014, 05:34 AM

Those wishing for a Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement should go for it. It really is worth it. You only live once. Speak to your dealer about the Clearaudio upgrade program. Your dealer may also be able to help you with price.

The cart is the most important element IMO. You don't need an over the top table engineered by NASA to get the best out of this cart.

GFS-8495-2.jpg

**annapolis Raider** · September 1, 2014, 08:34 AM

I'm an MC Anna man. Own one, never heard anything better. But I'd like to give a little love to one of my other cartridges. The Transfiguration Proteus is extremely nice. Its only one small step (system dependent) behind the big hitters. It is my first recommendation in the bang for the buck sweepstakes. Myles where is the review already?????

**ctop** · September 1, 2014, 11:49 AM

+1
My Goldfinger Statement is scheduled to be delivered in 2 months...an Ikeda Kai in a month

Originally Posted by Steve

Those wishing for a Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement should go for it. It really is worth it. You only live once. Speak to your dealer about the Clearaudio upgrade program. Your dealer may also be able to help you with price.

GFS-8495-2.jpg

**puroagave** · September 1, 2014, 12:17 PM

Lyra and transfiguration carts work so well in the Phantom any one of them would be my choice. when curiosity gets the best of me id like to try the Ortofon Anna and VDH Colibri in my system.

**BobM** · September 1, 2014, 02:07 PM

I'm also a Transfiguration lover. Running an old Temper now but I may be up for an upgrade to something newer in due time.

**XV-1** · September 1, 2014, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Garth

+1 as I already have one and it took awhile to get they are in short supply very nice cartridge . Only so many can be made it is one guy doing the Atlas the other models are done by others but I have been told only one person is building the Atlas. I have no proof just what I was told. If you want one you may have a long wait. Best I have heard thou I not heard the other front runners.

All Lyra cartridges are built by one person -Mishima-san. So yes, ability to supply Lyra cartridges is finite.

For me, I already have the brilliant Atlas, which will need to be rebuilt sooner than later after owning it for almost 2.5 years. I guess cheaper than a new one

Would love a dyna XV-1t. Maybe have a listen to a Goldfinger.

**Garth** · September 1, 2014, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by XV-1

All Lyra cartridges are built by one person -Mishima-san. So yes, ability to supply Lyra cartridges is finite.

For me, I already have the brilliant Atlas, which will need to be rebuilt sooner than later after owning it for almost 2.5 years. I guess cheaper than a new one

Would love a dyna XV-1t. Maybe have a listen to a Goldfinger.

You maybe right I had heard he is getting help with some models and is doing the Atlas and few others alone. Story I got was 600 a year for North America I do not know if that is all Lyra's or just the Atlas. I have no idea how many sell a year. With a handful of other Cartridges in this price range getting their share of the market I can not think their are that many to be sold. Again not my area I got one and I am not going to think about rebuilding it for a few years I hope.

**XV-1** · September 2, 2014, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by Garth

You maybe right I had heard he is getting help with some models and is doing the Atlas and few others alone. Story I got was 600 a year for North America I do not know if that is all Lyra's or just the Atlas. I have no idea how many sell a year. With a handful of other Cartridges in this price range getting their share of the market I can not think their are that many to be sold. Again not my area I got one and I am not going to think about rebuilding it for a few years I hope.

He is probably getting help in the listening to each cartridge, but no help in building.

I actually asked J Carr if Lyra were going to make a Delos Mono and he stated NO. Due due to capacity/ Lyra are selling more carts that they ever have.
Pity, I wanted one for my limited mono lp's and Beatles coming up. J Carr recommended the Audio Technica AT33 Mono as an inexpensive mono cart.

very nice man J Carr is.

cheers

**asindc** · September 2, 2014, 11:04 AM

Just based on reputation, as I haven't heard either yet:

Ortofon MC Anna as main cartridge.
Miyajima Zero for mono.

As for those I've heard:

Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement.
Dynavector XV-1t.

**astrotoy** · September 2, 2014, 01:29 PM

I've had Lyra's for well over a decade. Currently have a Skala (my second one) and a Helikon Mono (on two VPI 12.6 wands - so very easy to change). I would want an Atlas or Etna for the stereo, probably keep the Helikon mono.

Larry

**Wntrmute2** · September 11, 2014, 05:49 PM

Jan Allaerts

**Myles B. Astor** · September 11, 2014, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Wntrmute2

Jan Allaerts

I seem to remember us having a discussion about the JA before and lamenting it has limited distribution in the US. That's a cartridge would love to hear in my system.

**puroagave** · September 11, 2014, 10:56 PM

i owned an Allaerts MC-1 mk II that was well broken in, I had several excellent carts to compare it with. at this level its hard to nitpick, i used it through a Zesto and pass ono phono stages. The allaerts didnt play well with the WTT amadeus (thats another story) but was a great match with the VPI Classic/JMW arm. bottom line: its a nice cart but not sure its worth the chase. with a wait list a year long and so few dealers the exclusivity seems to attract the analog snobs for no other reason than its hard to get.

**Dpod4** · September 14, 2014, 11:16 PM

OK, today I listened to spiral groove + goldfinger statement + Kondo SUT into MM of Air Tight ATE-2001 (most open, most detailed, most high end sound my system delivers), then to the Spiral Groove SG 1.1 plus Benz LP-S into ARC Ref2se (most musical, warm, inviting, fluid sound my system delivers), and now am listening to the MC Anna still breaking in via the Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Graham Phantom Supreme into ARC Ref2se (most complete and grab you by the balls sound my system has delivered....not as expansive as the Goldfinger...not as warm and liquid as the Benz, but seems to capture the essence of both those and adds some picante testicular strength to the sound). My evening's musings....

**puroagave** · September 14, 2014, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by Dpod4

OK, today I listened to spiral groove + goldfinger statement + Kondo SUT into MM of Air Tight ATE-2001 (most open, most detailed, most high end sound my system delivers), then to the Spiral Groove SG 1.1 plus Benz LP-S into ARC Ref2se (most musical, warm, inviting, fluid sound my system delivers), and now am listening to the MC Anna still breaking in via the Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Graham Phantom Supreme into ARC Ref2se (most complete and grab you by the balls sound my system has delivered....not as expansive as the Goldfinger...not as warm and liquid as the Benz, but seems to capture the essence of both those and adds some picante testicular strength to the sound). My evening's musings....

ouch. somehow that sounds painful

**Myles B. Astor** · September 14, 2014, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by Dpod4

OK, today I listened to spiral groove + goldfinger statement + Kondo SUT into MM of Air Tight ATE-2001 (most open, most detailed, most high end sound my system delivers), then to the Spiral Groove SG 1.1 plus Benz LP-S into ARC Ref2se (most musical, warm, inviting, fluid sound my system delivers), and now am listening to the MC Anna still breaking in via the Clearaudio Innovation Wood/Graham Phantom Supreme into ARC Ref2se (most complete and grab you by the balls sound my system has delivered....not as expansive as the Goldfinger...not as warm and liquid as the Benz, but seems to capture the essence of both those and adds some picante testicular strength to the sound). My evening's musings....

Tough life but somebody has to do it!

**Dpod4** · September 14, 2014, 11:47 PM

BTW, my dear friend Jennifer who runs Jena Labs turned me onto CODA phono preamps. She loaned me her CODA from a few years back model wise. It wasn't as meaty and dynamic as my ARC Ref2SE but it was equal in every other regard, besting my Herron VTPH-2, and all the MC/MM inputs of my Air Tight ATE-2001. And that surprised me because of the cost difference. CODA is dirt cheap by comparison. She had shared with me she had a $25,000 tube phono preamp decked out with ultra expansive tubes and when she put the CODA in the system it blew her and her friends away. So I picked up a Coda 06x FET phono preamp via a dealer in Europe which is the more upgraded/current version of what Jennifer from JENA Labs loaned me. Can't wait to hear how it stacks up against my ARC Ref2se. So grateful for our American Engineering Creative Leaders like Jennifer of Jena Labs, Keith Herron of Herron Audio, and the list goes on. These folks are best on the planet and totally in it for the music. Love the fact I can get advice easily that translates into system upgrades.

**jlv** · February 19, 2015, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by cmalak

Prolly Lyra Atlas/Etna at one end of the spectrum to a Koetsu Jade/Urushi Red on the other end of the spectrum. But top end Lyra and toppish end Koetsu would be my pick(s)

Hi Cyril,

I never heard the Atlas but I have an Etna and it is amazing.
Didn't find yet the limits.
I heard once an Urushi (don't remember what colour, maybe vermillon,)and it was beautiful and very very refined but maybe less energy than the Etna.

**bzr** · February 20, 2015, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by Dpod4

BTW, my dear friend Jennifer who runs Jena Labs turned me onto CODA phono preamps. She loaned me her CODA from a few years back model wise. It wasn't as meaty and dynamic as my ARC Ref2SE but it was equal in every other regard, besting my Herron VTPH-2, and all the MC/MM inputs of my Air Tight ATE-2001. And that surprised me because of the cost difference. CODA is dirt cheap by comparison. She had shared with me she had a $25,000 tube phono preamp decked out with ultra expansive tubes and when she put the CODA in the system it blew her and her friends away. So I picked up a Coda 06x FET phono preamp via a dealer in Europe which is the more upgraded/current version of what Jennifer from JENA Labs loaned me. Can't wait to hear how it stacks up against my ARC Ref2se. So grateful for our American Engineering Creative Leaders like Jennifer of Jena Labs, Keith Herron of Herron Audio, and the list goes on. These folks are best on the planet and totally in it for the music. Love the fact I can get advice easily that translates into system upgrades.

Darren, how did the CODA stack up?

**Myles B. Astor** · February 20, 2015, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Dpod4

BTW, my dear friend Jennifer who runs Jena Labs turned me onto CODA phono preamps. She loaned me her CODA from a few years back model wise. It wasn't as meaty and dynamic as my ARC Ref2SE but it was equal in every other regard, besting my Herron VTPH-2, and all the MC/MM inputs of my Air Tight ATE-2001. And that surprised me because of the cost difference. CODA is dirt cheap by comparison. She had shared with me she had a $25,000 tube phono preamp decked out with ultra expansive tubes and when she put the CODA in the system it blew her and her friends away. So I picked up a Coda 06x FET phono preamp via a dealer in Europe which is the more upgraded/current version of what Jennifer from JENA Labs loaned me. Can't wait to hear how it stacks up against my ARC Ref2se. So grateful for our American Engineering Creative Leaders like Jennifer of Jena Labs, Keith Herron of Herron Audio, and the list goes on. These folks are best on the planet and totally in it for the music. Love the fact I can get advice easily that translates into system upgrades.

Maybe the ultra-expensive tube weren't all they were cracked up to be. Especially if they were NOS.

**Dpod4** · February 21, 2015, 03:22 AM

I ended up selling the CODA. It was pretty incredible for its price range but after longer listening tests it didn't match the musical and organic nature of my other preamps. Pretty darn good for solids state though.

Thread: If you could have any cartridge