Cartridge for my VPI Classic 3...suggestions?

**Mike** · March 30, 2016, 09:17 PM

I'm on the hunt for a new cartridge for my VPI Classic 3. I'm considering My Sonic Lab, Ortofon A95, Ortofon Winfield, Miyajima Medake, ZYX Universe II and a few others.

Lyra is out because of their long wait times (running about 6-12 months).

Anything else I should consider? The Ortofon A95 is about my max budget range.

The arm is the JMW Classic.

Undecided at this point on a phonostage.

This table/arm/cart combo will ultimately be paired with the Magico S5 mk2/Magico S1 mk2's/Focal Sopra's that I have.

**puroagave** · March 30, 2016, 10:08 PM

I don't get Lyra's dist. in the US, there is no wait in Japan. ZYX works well in the JMW arm so does Transfiguration and Lyra. You can make the Miyajima work but IMO it likes a higher mass arm with captive bearings.

**Mike** · March 31, 2016, 09:09 AM

Rob - I've confirmed what you say. A friend of mine overseas said he has all Lyra models in stock. Hmmm....I wonder why the discrepancy?

I'm leaning towards the Ortofon A95. I've heard it enough times on VPI tables to know it's a damn good cartridge - it's just not forgiving at all.

**Mike** · April 1, 2016, 11:25 AM

Picked up this brand today...

Proteus on order...

**MDP** · April 1, 2016, 03:44 PM

Look forward to hearing your impressions.

**BruceLet** · April 1, 2016, 03:49 PM

That's exciting. I ordered mine today, to go with my Basis TT and Vector tonearm. I have been thinking about this cartridge for a long time. Thanks Mike.

**Etunes** · April 1, 2016, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I'm on the hunt for a new cartridge for my VPI Classic 3. I'm considering My Sonic Lab, Ortofon A95, Ortofon Winfield, Miyajima Medake, ZYX Universe II and a few others.

Lyra is out because of their long wait times (running about 6-12 months).

Anything else I should consider? The Ortofon A95 is about my max budget range.

The arm is the JMW Classic.

Undecided at this point on a phonostage.

This table/arm/cart combo will ultimately be paired with the Magico S5 mk2/Magico S1 mk2's/Focal Sopra's that I have.

Koetsu Sky blue Urushi. Sounds great on my classic 3.

**Tedtag** · April 2, 2016, 07:25 AM

I'm running a Koetsu Rosewood Signature in my Classic 3 with great results.

**puroagave** · April 2, 2016, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Picked up this brand today...

Proteus on order...

Awesome! you'll love it. transfig is Bob Graham's pet cart and used in developing his 'arms, the Nightingale was made for Bob by transfiguration ( née Mutech)

**astrotoy** · April 3, 2016, 02:54 AM

If you have a bunch of mono records, I would recommend a Miyajima Zero. Works like a charm in my Classic 3. Larry

**Stringreen** · April 5, 2016, 11:29 AM

When I asked Harry this question, ....at first I asked him about the Lyra Etna, but he said that Ortofon Windfield is only a bit less good, but much less expensive. He highly recommended the Ortofon Windfield, and promised I would be satisfied.....I got one and indeed I am.

**hongkong** · April 23, 2016, 02:07 PM

Sorry for late.
I have bought today an Audio-Technica ART 9 because I was happy with the Audio-Technica AT-OC 9 ML III.
It's very good.
I have a Classic 3 too.

**Stringreen** · April 25, 2016, 02:10 PM

I have a Winfield in my 3D arm.....almost (but not quite) a top Lyra....but an easier entrance fee. Unless you a/b the 2 cartridges, you'll never miss the differences.

**hongkong** · May 6, 2016, 04:49 AM

Hi,

Can you tell us what do you think about this Winfield and what do you try before it, please ?
Thank you very much.

Best regards

**Stringreen** · May 6, 2016, 08:20 AM

I had a Benz LPS that was getting a bit long in the tooth. I asked Harry what his suggestions were....I was going to get one of the top Lyras. He told me that only if I'd compare them directly would I tell the difference. The Winfield brings 99 % and is a fabulous cartridge...I didn't have to wait 8 months to get it, it was much less expensive, et al. I got the cartridge for less than list price, on Harry's recommendation ( he has never steered me wrong). In direct comparison to the LPS, I felt the Ortofon to be less colored, and perfectly fine. Because of the very thin stylus, very careful setup is needed...It has a wide and deep soundstage if the record has been recorded with one. The LPS seems to layer better, but I suspect it was adding the coloration. I played with the loading, and found 1000 ohms to best suit my listening. The cartridge tracks anything, is dead quiet,..tells you whats on the record and nothing more. Very even. If I were to guess the sound of your system I would say it is even....the Roland stuff tends to roll off the highs making a kind of tube sound...and the speakers tend to be a bit bright....they balance each other well. I would think the Windfield is a good selection being very neutral and honest.

**hongkong** · May 6, 2016, 01:48 PM

Hi,
Thank you very much for your help.
With my Audio-Technica ART 9, I am happy. It's a excellent cartridge. It's very neutral : I compare it with the Audio-Technica AT-OC9 ML III.
With the ART 9, I have :
- more accuracy
- no coloration in the medium
- more bass
- no rumble (very low with AT-OC9MLIII) with Dire Straits (Love over gold - Telegraph Road)
- more vocals
I can say : ART 9 cost twice more than AT-OC9MLIII but difference of sound is not twice but more than twice. It's very beautiful.
The loading is 100 ohms.
I just buy ART9, so I keep it and I love this sound.
It's very, very, very musical.

Thank you very much again

**audio.bill** · May 6, 2016, 02:23 PM

In my experience with high end cartridges of various stylus profiles, I have found that Ortofon's Replicant 100 stylus when properly setup is by far the quietest tracking the groove. The majority of surface noise that I hear with other stylus profiles on my most familiar records virtually vanishes with the Replicant stylus. It's really hard for me to be believe the difference, an order of magnitude improvement. The downside may be that it is reputed to have a shorter lifespan than other profiles like the MicroRidge, but I'm willing to make that tradeoff and enjoy the silent background.

**Stringreen** · May 14, 2016, 10:52 PM

I have an Ortofon Winfield....not much talk about it on the internet, but it is a great cartridge...especially for the price. Gives you all the "goodies" you would want but for 1/2 the price.

**Mike** · May 14, 2016, 11:02 PM

Originally Posted by Stringreen

I have an Ortofon Winfield....not much talk about it on the internet, but it is a great cartridge...especially for the price. Gives you all the "goodies" you would want but for 1/2 the price.

Great cartridge! I totally agree. A sleeper in the lineup.

**hongkong** · May 15, 2016, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by Stringreen

I have an Ortofon Winfield....not much talk about it on the internet, but it is a great cartridge...especially for the price. Gives you all the "goodies" you would want but for 1/2 the price.

http://www.hifinews.co.uk/news/artic...ound;1799/9607

Thanks !

**hongkong** · May 15, 2016, 12:59 PM

A record with my TASCAM DR-100 MKII...for example, Norah JONES - come away with me..
A wav file with the Audio-Technica AT-OC 9 ML III....(and VPI Classic 3)
Just for example, not for piracy...thanks!
Here, the link :

http://www.sendbox.fr/8236ca1d7915a578/Norah_Jones_Come_with_me_16bits_44khz_AT-O9MLIII.wav

**hongkong** · May 15, 2016, 01:05 PM

A record with my TASCAM DR-100 MKII...for example, Norah JONES - come away with me..
A wav file with the Audio-Technica AT-ART9....(and VPI Classic 3)
Just for example, not for piracy...thanks!
Here, the link :

http://www.sendbox.fr/72b1186fcc69be...hz_AT-ART9.wav

**hongkong** · May 15, 2016, 01:10 PM

Source : vinyl from Norah Jones Box

http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/re...phile-box-set/

**Frank** · July 16, 2016, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Picked up this brand today...

Proteus on order...

Hi,
With my VPI Classic 3 (classic3 10.5) i have a Lyra Kleos and want to upgrade my cartbridge. One of my seller tells me to consider the Proteus and and another one the EMT TSD6 Gold...

what do you think about these advices ?

thanks

Frank

**Restock** · July 16, 2016, 08:49 PM

EMT are fairly low compliance and best in a heavier arm from my experience. I don think the JMW arm will be a good match. The Lyra is of course a good match with arm.

Not familiar with the Proteus.

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**Frank** · July 17, 2016, 04:17 PM

Thanks Restock

perhaps someone else much familiar with the Proteus ?

Frank

**A/V Solutions** · July 17, 2016, 05:04 PM

In regards to EMT and Proteus.....they are significantly far apart from one another sound wise.

The EMT's have a more rich full bodied sound, mids are fluid and musical, it just flows nicely, the top end is smooth and has plenty if micro details....never is anything put forth and out of place and its a cartridge that I can listen for hours and never tire of its sound.....The Proteus is a cartridge that seems to high lite certain areas more so than the EMT....it punches a bit more on the bottom and also reaches further up top, but find the mids take a second seat (looking for more in the mid range area, although still very good)....having said that both are nice cartridges, just depends what sound your after.

Your table and cartridge work very well together and if your cartridge is in good working condition I would consider looking at a phono stage instead of a cartridge.....as always YMMV.

**Mike** · July 17, 2016, 05:37 PM

The Proteus is a killer cart. Neutral. Dynamic. Natural. Musical. Fremer loves this cart. It's a $6,000 cart that sounds like a $12,000 cart. Personally, I'm tired of "colored" sounding carts like the BENZ LP-S and others.

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**A/V Solutions** · July 17, 2016, 06:34 PM

The Proteus is also colored IMO....just colored in a different direction. Both the LPs and Proteus are very good sounding and bring different flavors to the table. One for mood A and one for mood B

One can never own too many cartridge!

**Restock** · July 17, 2016, 10:47 PM

Fully agree with the description of EMT above as well - wonderful cartridges ... With the right tonearm.

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**Mike** · July 17, 2016, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Frank

Hi,
With my VPI Classic 3 (classic3 10.5) i have a Lyra Kleos and want to upgrade my cartbridge. One of my seller tells me to consider the Proteus and and another one the EMT TSD6 Gold...

what do you think about these advices ?

thanks

Frank

I don't see EMT on a VPI (match wise). My Proteus is great on the VPI arm.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**Frank** · July 25, 2016, 02:57 PM

Thanks Mike,
do you use it with a 10.5 3D arm or with a Classic armwand ?

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Cartridge for my VPI Classic 3...suggestions?

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