Best cartridges in the $2500 neighborhood...

**KeithR** · March 9, 2015, 05:49 PM

Hey guys- I'm looking to add a cartridge to my Brinkmann/Origin Live combo. Any suggestions?

I've been recommended Ortofon Cadenza and Lyra thus far. Lyra used to be fairly hifi/sterile as I recall, but not sure these days.

I was really surprised at how expensive cartridges have become! I can't fathom what goes into a 15k cartridge

Thanks,

Keith

**Mike** · March 9, 2015, 05:52 PM

I have a Benz LP-S that is not in use that I can let you have for $2500. It has ABOUT 100 hours on it.

**rbbert** · March 9, 2015, 05:58 PM

The Transfiguration Proteus is probably a bit above your price range but is highly regarded.

tfighome

**audio.bill** · March 9, 2015, 07:58 PM

I run the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze in an Origin Live Enterprise-C arm on a Nottingham Dais table. The combination is superb, with just a hint of warmth compared to the Cadenza Black. It tracks the groove with an unusually quiet background; most surface noise that I previously experienced with other cartridges is just gone. Beautiful and engaging is how I would describe its sound in my setup and it tracks like a dream. Highly recommended, although I just read that they may currently be in short supply due to some parts sourcing issues. If interested you could check on that issue with your dealer or Ortofon directly. Good luck with whatever you decide on!

**Jay** · March 9, 2015, 08:24 PM

I run a Sumiko pearwood celebration II. It's in that range and sounds fantastic.

**annapolis Raider** · March 9, 2015, 08:50 PM

I own a number of carts, you can see in my sig. The Transfiguration Proteus is a fantastic cartridge but double your price range. If you want to stay in that 2500 range, my choice would be the Kuzma CAR-40.

Kuzma Stabi M Turntable, 4Point Tonearm, and Car 40 Moving-Coil Cartridge | The Absolute Sound

**MikeCh** · March 9, 2015, 08:56 PM

Like Bill, I'll throw in a vote for the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.

It really is a special phono cartridge that appears to work with many tonearms and phono stage setups and can be had for non-crazy money.

**rbbert** · March 9, 2015, 09:03 PM

If the Transfiguration Axia has similar characteristics to the Proteus, just "less", it's right at your $2500 price.

**JackD201** · March 10, 2015, 01:41 AM

ZYX Airy 3 is still in the ballpark. I would recommend the Silver, the Gold is too smooth and polite for my tastes. Don't let the name fool you. The images are nice and dense. It can pack a wallop.

**Dpod4** · March 10, 2015, 02:29 AM

Originally Posted by MikeCh

Like Bill, I'll throw in a vote for the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.

It really is a special phono cartridge that appears to work with many tonearms and phono stage setups and can be had for non-crazy money.

My buddy Kurt at echo audio in Portland will sell you one of those brand new and I bet he would sell at a good price too.

**puroagave** · March 10, 2015, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by JackD

ZYX Airy 3 is still in the ballpark. I would recommend the Silver, the Gold is too smooth and polite for my tastes. Don't let the name fool you. The images are nice and dense. It can pack a wallop.

I've had a number of ZYX carts, the Airy3 SB (silver base) will give you a big slice of the best they make. The SB vers adds about 3gms to the head shell and will mate better with a med. mass arm.

**XV-1** · March 10, 2015, 04:26 PM

Lyra Delos and come under budget.

No longer sterile/hifi unless your system is. That was perhaps back in the day of the helikon.

cheers

**KeithR** · March 10, 2015, 05:38 PM

Thanks guys for the opinions- my existing Zu-modified Denon 103 cart is on the warm side of things. I'd like to try a bit leaner, more dynamic cartridge to have some fun. I think that eliminates the Benz, Pearwood, etc. The Transfiguration Axis does not appear to be near as good as the Proteus and has lean bass issues according to Fremer.

I will check out Zyx, Lyra, and Ortofon.

**MikeCh** · March 10, 2015, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Thanks guys for the opinions- my existing Zu-modified Denon 103 cart is on the warm side of things. I'd like to try a bit leaner, more dynamic cartridge to have some fun. I think that eliminates the Benz, Pearwood, etc. The Transfiguration Axis does not appear to be near as good as the Proteus and has lean bass issues according to Fremer.

I will check out Zyx, Lyra, and Ortofon.

I ran a Zu Denon 103 for a year or so (their earlier silver square model) and I agree, it was a great musical cart trending toward the warm side. It was a little sluggish with transients and not incredibly nimble or dynamic compared to the carts that followed it in my system....Dynavector 20X2H and Ortofon Cadenza. However, the Zu Denon was fun to listen to and it tracked surprisingly well.

**BobM** · March 11, 2015, 08:49 AM

I think you guys are thinking of the Transfiguration Phoenix-S, not the Proteus. The Phoenix sells for about $4200, the Proteus is about $6K. The original Phoenix was priced at about $3K but they upped it significantly when they made the new changes and called it "S".

Anyone have a connection for these at a discounted price - please PM me?

**asindc** · March 11, 2015, 10:36 AM

I'll endorse my own cartridge here, the Ortofon Cadenza Black. I think Ortofons in general punch above their weight class.

**Jay** · March 11, 2015, 12:25 PM

In that case, you may want to take a listen to the EMT TSD 15 or dynavector xx-2. I'm not sure what phono stage you're using but the emt works really well with a step-up transformer like the one from auditorium 23.

**KeithR** · March 11, 2015, 05:09 PM

I'm also being recommended the 47 Labs Mcbee cart- anyone hear one? It's quite reasonable.

**Mike** · March 11, 2015, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jay

In that case, you may want to take a listen to the EMT TSD 15 or dynavector xx-2. I'm not sure what phono stage you're using but the emt works really well with a step-up transformer like the one from auditorium 23.

Hey Jay - nice system you have there! Have you ever heard the Hegel H4SE?

**Jay** · March 11, 2015, 10:44 PM

Thanks mike. I haven't heard the h4se. The p20 / h20 combo was intended to be a tryout for Hegel. I've now had it for over a year and haven't really felt an urge to upgrade. Nice when that happens. If I did, I would probably just go for an h30. Do you think the h4se is a big step up from the h20?

**Mike** · March 11, 2015, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Jay

Thanks mike. I haven't heard the h4se. The p20 / h20 combo was intended to be a tryout for Hegel. I've now had it for over a year and haven't really felt an urge to upgrade. Nice when that happens. If I did, I would probably just go for an h30. Do you think the h4se is a big step up from the h20?

From what I've been told, the market in Asia loves the H4SE. We haven't really seen it over here. The H30 is more neutral, but still a giant killer of an amp (best in stereo than mono ironically).

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**puroagave** · March 12, 2015, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by KeithR

I'm also being recommended the 47 Labs Mcbee cart- anyone hear one? It's quite reasonable.

if you're thinking poor mans Miyabi, the Mcbee is a different animal. they're also OOP, if you were offered a new one its NOS.

**KeithR** · March 23, 2015, 05:37 PM

Update- I've been offered a demo MC Bee- the last one the distributor has. I am going to grab it on the cheap.

Has anyone used the Air Tight PC3? I remember preferring the Supreme to the Lyra Atlas on Albert Porter's rig, so had me thinking...

**Cucumber_jones** · March 23, 2015, 09:12 PM

Emt tsd 15

**Stringreen** · March 24, 2015, 09:25 AM

For a wee bit more you can have the Windfield....to me, certainly worth the difference.

**Loop4fun** · March 25, 2015, 05:29 AM

Originally Posted by Cucumber_jones

Emt tsd 15

My next purchase will be the EMT JSD 5 or 6. Slightly over the budget, but not by much.

**KeithR** · March 25, 2015, 11:07 AM

I ended up with both MC Bee and Lyra Delos incoming. Unfortunately the Lyra is going to take a few months. Cartridge wars coming soon

I was tempted by some of the pricier carts (Zyx specifically), but my Bardo/Origin Live rig is a value system as is and I'd like to keep it that way. I really don't want to step up to a 5k+ arm right now to utilize the more expensive carts.

Re: Ortofon- have heard they have a lot of QC issues, so I passed on the brand.

**MikeCh** · March 25, 2015, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Re: Ortofon- have heard they have a lot of QC issues, so I passed on the brand.

What? That's something I've not heard or read regarding QC issues.

**Elberoth** · March 25, 2015, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Thanks guys for the opinions- my existing Zu-modified Denon 103 cart is on the warm side of things. I'd like to try a bit leaner, more dynamic cartridge to have some fun. I think that eliminates the Benz, Pearwood, etc. The Transfiguration Axis does not appear to be near as good as the Proteus and has lean bass issues according to Fremer.

I will check out Zyx, Lyra, and Ortofon.

A friend of mine has a lightly used Ortofon A90 for sale, if interested. The cart was setup by Michael Fremer himself

He went exact opposite direction than you - he bought himself a Koetsu.

**madfloyd** · March 25, 2015, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Elberoth

A friend of mine has a lightly used Ortofon A90 for sale, if interested. The cart was setup by Michael Fremer himself

He went exact opposite direction than you - he bought himself a Koetsu.

The A90 would be excellent!

**Bruce** · March 25, 2015, 07:01 PM

Originally Posted by madfloyd

The A90 would be excellent!

Yes I agree great cart--I've owned one but only 1000 hrs before considering retip Pardon me?----for Keith in his own words "value system"

Unfortunately I'd think not

Of the suggestions the EMT is fine--re the Ortofon QC--I recall the Anna early on may have had one or two-but I currently have an SPUae over six years old and still going strong

Wouldn't it be good to have a Cable company type setup for Analog -try before you buy-ha!

Rob Stein--are you listening!

Bruce

**Elberoth** · March 26, 2015, 09:11 AM

The A90 I mentioned is for sale for $1600 + shipping and it has around 300h.

**asindc** · March 26, 2015, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Elberoth

The A90 I mentioned is for sale for $1600 + shipping and it has around 300h.

Sent you a PM.

**KeithR** · March 26, 2015, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Elberoth

A friend of mine has a lightly used Ortofon A90 for sale, if interested. The cart was setup by Michael Fremer himself

He went exact opposite direction than you - he bought himself a Koetsu.

I don't have quite the tonearm for an A90 (Origin Live Encounter C), although have a used option locally if I want one. Thanks though!

I picked up the MC Bee as well to compare to the Lyra when it arrives. The Bee should be up and running in a week- have heard its not warm persay, but very organic.

**BTS** · April 30, 2015, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by KeithR

Has anyone used the Air Tight PC3?

A bit late but yes, nearly a year ago I tried out 5 different cartridges. I bought the PC-3. Now it is out of production.

**KeithR** · April 30, 2015, 07:09 PM

AT PC-3 then clearly not going to happen in the future, thanks.

I had the 47 Labs MC Bee finally installed this past weekend and am putting it through its paces. it is definitely a smooth, organic cartridge.

**Stringreen** · May 1, 2015, 06:09 AM

You can reach higher in the Ortofon line (Windfield) for just a bit more....

Thread: Best cartridges in the $2500 neighborhood...