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Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
What are some of your favorite cartridges? I know the arm and the table play a huge role, but for the sake of argument, let's focus on some of your favorite cartridges.
Top Tier for me:
Goldfinger
MC Anna
Lyra Etna
Air Tight PC-1 Supreme
ZYX Universe Premium
Transfiguration Proteus
Amazing Values:
Ortofon A95
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze/Black
Sleepers:
Miyajima Madake
My Sonic Lab Hyper Eminent
My Sonic Lab Eminent
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
What are some of your favorite cartridges? I know the arm and the table play a huge role, but for the sake of argument, let's focus on some of your favorite cartridges.
Top Tier for me:
Goldfinger
MC Anna
Lyra Etna
Air Tight PC-1 Supreme
ZYX Universe Premium
Transfiguration Proteus
Amazing Values:
Ortofon A95
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze/Black
Sleepers:
Miyajima Madake
My Sonic Lab Hyper Eminent
My Sonic Lab Eminent
No Koetsu Blue Lace or Coralstone? What's the difference between amazing values and sleepers, aren't the sleepers good value?
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Taking it down a notch (my top tier is someone's bottom start). Based on my experiences...
Top Tier:
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Miyajima Zero
Great Value:
Dynavector 20x2H
Ortofon Cadenza Mono
Zu Denon 103
Denon 103R
Stanton 681EEEMKIII with Original OEM Stylus
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MikeCh
Taking it down a notch (my top tier is someone's bottom start). Based on my experiences...
Top Tier:
Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
Miyajima Zero
Great Value:
Dynavector 20x2H
Ortofon Cadenza Mono
Zu Denon 103
Denon 103R
Stanton 681EEEMKIII with Original OEM Stylus
My Cadenza Bronze shipped today - I'm excited like a little kid :).
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kuoppis
My Cadenza Bronze shipped today - I'm excited like a little kid :).
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
I love my Bronze! It pairs well with my 3D arm on my VPI Avenger.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I think the Lyra Delos is a fantastic bargain cartridge!
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MDP
I love my Bronze! It pairs well with my 3D arm on my VPI Avenger.
Well, I just got the Prime but also with the 3D tone arm :).
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Dynavector XX2 MkII is not too shabby either and also attractive price wise.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I don't have any first hand experience with it, but there's a lot of buzz about the Audio Technica AT-ART9 being a top performer and exceptional value.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I love the Lyra's. Recently sold my Atlas and miss it. Also have heard the Goldfinger Statement in my system...it's pretty special too. I have 2 friends with Air Tight Supremes...that's another good one !
Tried to post a image of my Allaerts MC 2 Finish (not to shabby)...but I need 10 posts
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Btw, I should have noted that I currently run the Ortofon Cadenza Bronze in an Origin Live Enterprise-C arm on a Nottingham Dais table, and it sounds quite exceptional.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kuoppis
My Cadenza Bronze shipped today - I'm excited like a little kid :).
As you should be, congrats! It's a fantastic phono cartridge and its popularity is for good reason.
Please share your thoughts when you get some listening time with it.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
To be honest, apart from listening to other people's carts, I don't have experience with cartridges outside of the Clearaudio premium range.. Talisman and upwards. The reason being is that I own a McInotsh MT10 and those Clearaudio carts are best suited for it because of what the MT10 is. The McIntosh MT10 is an excellent table built by Clearaudio, nothing more.
Any Clearaudio cartridge from Stradivari upwards is a great match for the MT10. The sweet spot in that category would be the DaVinci V2.
The thing is, once you have been poisoned by a Goldfinger Statement you cannot go back. The price today for a Goldfinger is scary. I would consider the DaVinci V2 to be one of those great sleepers.
(Don't ask me to write about measurements! --- That said if you do buy a one of these carts, you will get an individual performance report with a graph.)
http://www.audioshark.org/attachment...id=15243&stc=1
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MikeCh
As you should be, congrats! It's a fantastic phono cartridge and its popularity is for good reason.
Please share your thoughts when you get some listening time with it.
Hi Mike,
The Cadenza Bronze still needs to be broken in, but I must say I'm impressed.
I tried before a Clearaudio Virtuoso MM cartridge and the Clearaudio Performance DC, but with those the fun just would not emerge.
Now, with Cadenza Bronze and Vpi Prime, a totally different story.
Cheers,
Kuoppis
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I really like my Cadenza Bronze in my system. I like it more than I like my soundsmith,"the Voice". I like both of those more than my clearaudio Virtuoso, but it is really good too, especially playing jazz.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
One cartridge I would add to the "Amazing Value" Category the the Kiseki Purple Heart.
I have been listening to one for the past couple of weeks. It is definitely an over achiever in its price range ($3,500.00).
One cartridge on the list that I would love to try is the Lyra Etna. I have an older Titan that I really enjoy. It would be great to see what the Etna brings to the table over the Titan.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kuoppis
My Cadenza Bronze shipped today - I'm excited like a little kid :).
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
You should be. Great bang for the buck.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Kuoppis
Hi Mike,
The Cadenza Bronze still needs to be broken in, but I must say I'm impressed.
I tried before a Clearaudio Virtuoso MM cartridge and the Clearaudio Performance DC, but with those the fun just would not emerge.
Now, with Cadenza Bronze and Vpi Prime, a totally different story.
Cheers,
Kuoppis
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
That is great news Kuoppis! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.
http://www.audioshark.org/attachment...id=15255&stc=1
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
The Ortofon Cadenza Bronze is VERY popular here.
I knew some AS members owned the Cadenza Bronze, but in just the 2 pages of postings so far in this thread there are more than I figured there would be!
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
My Ortofon Cadenza Bronze sounds very good with my VPI Scout.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I'll vote for the Etna. I wasn't prepared for how great it sounds. Paraphrasing German Audio's September 2015 review: 'What immediately strikes you in listening to the Etna is its momentum and openness. It is supremely clean, extremely dynamic, and has a dreamlike tone and naturalness. It is natural on instruments, and especially voices have an almost magical beauty.'
Also, it really does do well with every type of music.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
You have forgotten the Ortofon Winfield.....only a small tick less than the very top Lyra, but much less cost.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Stringreen
You have forgotten the Ortofon Winfield.....only a small tick less than the very top Lyra, but much less cost.
I have Ortofon Windfeld brochure :)
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Hay Mate....regarding the link to E-bay. ...just my take.....be careful of the free shipping....it may not include customs fees. also...to get a cartridge from who knows where and send it to Ortofon for refurbishing........they may not do it because of the grey market aspect. ...and ....are you sure this is for a used cartridge, and not just a brochure. You could get that as a download directly from Ortofon.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Stringreen
Hay Mate....regarding the link to E-bay. ...just my take.....be careful of the free shipping....it may not include customs fees. also...to get a cartridge from who knows where and send it to Ortofon for refurbishing........they may not do it because of the grey market aspect. ...and ....are you sure this is for a used cartridge, and not just a brochure. You could get that as a download directly from Ortofon.
Thanks... although I'm not sure why you wrote any of it... Free shipping means just that - free shipping, it has nothing to do with Customs fees. I never even touched a cartridge in my life, yet alone owned one, yet alone sold one. I have no idea what made you think that I'm selling cartridges. I'm in brochures business. You want a specific Ortofon brochure? You talk to me. You want that in digital form? Go download it, there is always someone who wants original printed material.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I generally only comment on gear I have heard in my system.
top tier : Lyra Atlas - is your system up to this level of neutral magnification - on the right recordings Atlas is absolute king
top tier superb value : Dynavector XV-1s. Its been around for a long time now, so is easily forgotten in this : must have the newest and greatest mentality"
I have had dyna's in my system for over 20 years and the XV-1 series I am on my third. Hard to say a 5k cartridge is good value, but in comparison it is. Does everything well and the true all rounder cartridge that sounds excellent on all your record collection.
Both the Lyra's and dyna's top end micro line stylus last considerably longer than say the Ortofon replicant100 stylus profile, which adds to their overall value equation.
Best value: imo easily the Lyra Delos
best sleeper value: Denon DL-S1 at less than 1k is a bargin - your phono stage needs to be up to the task as its very low output.
Love to hear cartridges: Koestu top of range stone cartridges to hear for myself the syrup all gone.
My Sonic Lab top cartridge, never mind OEM Air Tight, I want to hear the guy who makes these cartridges own company -
Lyra Etna
cheers
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I am more than pleased with the performance of the Ortofon Cadenza Black on my Michell Gyro SE with an SME309 tonearm. Fabulous sounding moving coil cartridge.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1455/...9bfc4769_c.jpg
I am also thrilled with the sound of my Ortofon Cadenza Blue on my Micro Seiki DD-40 with the MA505 tonearm. Love the ruby cantilever. Very clean sound.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7454/...962b1083_c.jpg
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
XV-1
I generally only comment on gear I have heard in my system.
top tier : Lyra Atlas - is your system up to this level of neutral magnification - on the right recordings Atlas is absolute king
cheers
Got mine yesterday. Hope you are right.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
XV-1
I generally only comment on gear I have heard in my system.
top tier : Lyra Atlas - is your system up to this level of neutral magnification - on the right recordings Atlas is absolute king
top tier superb value : Dynavector XV-1s. Its been around for a long time now, so is easily forgotten in this : must have the newest and greatest mentality"
I have had dyna's in my system for over 20 years and the XV-1 series I am on my third. Hard to say a 5k cartridge is good value, but in comparison it is. Does everything well and the true all rounder cartridge that sounds excellent on all your record collection.
Both the Lyra's and dyna's top end micro line stylus last considerably longer than say the Ortofon replicant100 stylus profile, which adds to their overall value equation.
Best value: imo easily the Lyra Delos
best sleeper value: Denon DL-S1 at less than 1k is a bargin - your phono stage needs to be up to the task as its very low output.
Love to hear cartridges: Koestu top of range stone cartridges to hear for myself the syrup all gone.
My Sonic Lab top cartridge, never mind OEM Air Tight, I want to hear the guy who makes these cartridges own company -
Lyra Etna
cheers
Since you like the Lyras, no Lyra Olympos?
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bonzo
Since you like the Lyras, no Lyra Olympos?
Hi Ked
They don't manufacture the Olympus anymore, unless you already have one. J Carr told me the Atlas and Etna are better sounding cartridges. He is a straight up and down guy so no desire to hear the Olympus.
That said, there are now SL versions of the Atlas and Etna .25mv output vs .5 mv.
Myles Astor has an Atlas SL in for review. That will take a while while he extensively listens to it.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
My picks for sleeper cartridges are:
The EMT line of cartridges. Great performance and value.
Shindo - Difficult to find, and only comes mounted in a Bakelite Ortofon A headshell, but worth the search.
My system in my signature has changed some and I now own both cartridges as well as a Garrard 301
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
XV-1
Hi Ked
They don't manufacture the Olympus anymore, unless you already have one. J Carr told me the Atlas and Etna are better sounding cartridges. He is a straight up and down guy so no desire to hear the Olympus.
That said, there are now SL versions of the Atlas and Etna .25mv output vs .5 mv.
Myles Astor has an Atlas SL in for review. That will take a while while he extensively listens to it.
I didn't want to wait for a low output (the .56 wait was bad enough), but I am very curious as to what you are hearing about improvements in linearity visa-vis the .56. Do you have any scoop?
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FlexibleAudio
I didn't want to wait for a low output (the .56 wait was bad enough), but I am very curious as to what you are hearing about improvements in linearity visa-vis the .56. Do you have any scoop?
I guess we will just have to wait for Myles review in Positive Fedback. He owned the Atlas for 3 years so will be well placed to give his opinion.
personally I don't feel any cartridge envy not having the SL :)
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
XV-1
I guess we will just have to wait for Myles review in Positive Fedback. He owned the Atlas for 3 years so will be well placed to give his opinion.
personally I don't feel any cartridge envy not having the SL :)
Very hard to conceive it will be an improvement. Can't think of a better source for info than Myles given his Lyra history and fine set of ears.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
The Etna is certainly in the top tier.
I'd vote for the AMG Teatro and the Dynavector 20X2L as the best values. I could be happy with either one.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
My Lyra Delos just arrived after an 11 month wait...excited to install it next weekend. If I had more budget would have bought a Proteus
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Keith, I own a Kleos. But for the money the Delos is better. I had a Delos in my system before i bought the Kleos, and to be honest I'm not so sure the Delos isn't better.
The Delos is VERY underrated !!!!!
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I haven't seen the Benz LPS mentioned yet, has it fallen from grace? A while back everyone wanted one.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bzr
I haven't seen the Benz LPS mentioned yet, has it fallen from grace? A while back everyone wanted one.
It's a great cartridge, however, it's also one of the heaviest and a PITA to work with and certainly not a fit for all arms. Sonically however, it's very lush, warm and romantic.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bzr
I haven't seen the Benz LPS mentioned yet, has it fallen from grace? A while back everyone wanted one.
IMO the LPs hasn't fallen, its still a top tier cartridge......I own 50 plus cartridges and would be sad if I didn't own a LPs. People are just chasing some of the newer offerings at the moment.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Hey Jeff. Was thinkin about you. I only got 1 TBD left. Wanna start a new thread and talk about it?
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FlexibleAudio
Hey Jeff. Was thinkin about you. I only got 1 TBD left. Wanna start a new thread and talk about it?
Kronos or bust! [emoji14]
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
XV-1
Hi Ked
They don't manufacture the Olympus anymore, unless you already have one. J Carr told me the Atlas and Etna are better sounding cartridges. He is a straight up and down guy so no desire to hear the Olympus.
That said, there are now SL versions of the Atlas and Etna .25mv output vs .5 mv.
Myles Astor has an Atlas SL in for review. That will take a while while he extensively listens to it.
Hi,
I see you have many cartridges: Lyra Atlas, Delos, Dynavector XV-1s, Ortofon A90, GM Royal, GM Classic, Technics EPC100mk4, Denon ESC'd 103R, DL-S1, Audio Technica AT25, OC9II, Linn ESC'd Troika.
I would know if you can do a hit for all your cartridges, please ?
I am interesting because I have an Audio Technica OC9III.
I have Shure V 15 type V MR and Ortofon X1-MC and X3MC.
So I prefer:
AT OC9MLIII
Shure V 15 (sold)
X3MC
X1MC (sold)
I hesitate to buy ART 9.
Thank you very much.
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MDP
Keith, I own a Kleos. But for the money the Delos is better. I had a Delos in my system before i bought the Kleos, and to be honest I'm not so sure the Delos isn't better.
The Delos is VERY underrated !!!!!
I agree. I prefer the Delos over the Kleos. The Delos has life whereas the Delos in comparison seems overly subdued/smooth.
IME, the issue with warm sounding carts like low-mid level Koetsu, Benz, Miyabe, Shelter and alike is their syrup over time gets too obvious that you can hear it overlaying almost all the music you play. Open,transparent and neutral carts for me.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5595/1...0bde29de_b.jpg
https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7012/6...760524c9_b.jpg
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Thank you very much!
Best regards
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
I've been hearing some good things about the VAS Nova. Mr VPI (Harry) noted " I use it in the KEF Blade room, one of my reference systems, and exchange it with the Atlas but 90% of the time the VAS is on the Avenger,".
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
My last purchase
Air Tight PC-1, Air Tight PC-3
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Re: Top Tier Cartridges, Sleepers and Amazing Values
Quote:
Originally Posted by
XV-1
I agree a great Cartridges!