Air Tight PC-1 Supreme vs. Benz Micro LP S-MR vs. My Sonic Lab Ultra Eminent

R

RonR

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Hello,

I am in the process of selecting the last turntable/arm/cartridge set-up of my life. All three of the above-referenced cartridges are in the top of their class and are well-respected matches for both of the turntable/tonearm combinations I am considering. So the choice is not a question of technical compatibilty with the turntable/tonearm combinations I am considering, but, rather, is a question of understanding the sonic differences among the cartridges by hearing each cartridge on the same audio system (i.e., holding all other variables constant).




Of course, there's absolutely no substitute for hearing each cartridge on the same system myself. But, as a practical matter, I am unlikely to be able to arrange such an A-B-C comparison.

Even though each of us has different sonic tastes and preferences I nonetheless feel there is some value in aggregating other listeners' experiences with individual pieces of audio equipment and synthesizing a composite view about what people perceive and hear when evaluating equipment.

While each of us has different audio tastes and preferences those tastes and preferences usually can be consolidated into a few categories. By reviewing the components of the audio systems of the members here who reply to this post I will be able to triangulate on the listening preferences of such respondents and better understand the subjective listening experience comments they provide on the three cartridges in which I am interested.

I would be grateful for the thoughts and listening experiences of anyone and everyone who has listened to any two of these cartridges on the same system.

Thank you in advance!

Best wishes,

Ron

 
Welcome to Audioshark.org Ron! Can you give us an idea of the arms/tables you are considering?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Hi Ron and welcome to AS. when you use expressions like "triangulate" it sounds like you discounted every cart in the world except MSL and Benz. if i had a buck every time i said this is my last whatever for the rest of my life (you get my gist). my Eminent GL is jetting across the pacific as i write this, ill have it next week. i have owned a few Benzes, my buddy is going to mail me his SLR to shoot out with the MSL, Koetsu and transfiguration. shortly, i might actually have something meaningful to add to your post. its a never ending journey, I say just buy them both.:)

happy travels
 
Dear Mike,


Thank you for the welcome!

After listening at length to the Basis Audio Inspiration and Vector a couple of years ago, and pretty much falling in love with the combnation, I assumed I would be purchasing the Inspiration with the Superarm 9. I have heard several of A.J.'s turntables over the years and I greatly respect his designs and build quality. However, the recent entry onto the field of the TechDAS Air Force Two has caused me to want to listen to the Air Force Two.
 
Dear Rob,


Thank you, also, for the welcome.


I agree it is very difficult to say forever or last (one should never say "never"). Of course cartridges need replacing.

My general philosophy always has been to buy what I truly find to be the best, and then just take very good care of it so it lasts a really long time. My record of not swapping equipment is pretty good. I have had my VTLs for almost 20 years. I like my Aesthetix Io Signature (circa 1998) and I do not expect ever to replace it.

It will be very exciting to learn the results of your cartridge shootout!
 
RonR said:
Dear Rob,


Thank you, also, for the welcome.


I agree it is very difficult to say forever or last (one should never say "never"). Of course cartridges need replacing.

My general philosophy always has been to buy what I truly find to be the best, and then just take very good care of it so it lasts a really long time. My record of not swapping equipment is pretty good. I have had my VTLs for almost 20 years. I like my Aesthetix Io Signature (circa 1998) and I do not expect ever to replace it.

It will be very exciting to learn the results of your cartridge shootout!
Click to expand...


First, Ron, welcome to AS!:hey:


And +1 on hearing the results of your cart shooutout, Rob! I'm interested in Koetsu carts now as you know. Is MSL supposed to be the same/similar cart as the Air Tight PC1?

cheers
 
I have a Benz LPS mr and when I mounted it in a VPI 3D arm, the results were a very major upgrade. I love my Benz...very, very musical (I'm a classical violinist by profession). The thing that bothers me about the Benz is that Musical Surroundings doesn't seem to be supporting it now, and less so as time goes on.
 
My Benz LP-S is all about texture and musical flow. A keeper.
 
RonR said:
Dear Mike,


Thank you for the welcome!

After listening at length to the Basis Audio Inspiration and Vector a couple of years ago, and pretty much falling in love with the combnation, I assumed I would be purchasing the Inspiration with the Superarm 9. I have heard several of A.J.'s turntables over the years and I greatly respect his designs and build quality. However, the recent entry onto the field of the TechDAS Air Force Two has caused me to want to listen to the Air Force Two.
Click to expand...

Ron, I have not heard the AF2, but I wasn't overly impressed with the AF1. Sonically, it sounded a little sterile to me.

In that same price range, check out the Kronos Sparta. That's what I own. Fabulous table. But you also have the DD from VPI, SME, AMG, etc.

There are so many amazing tables in that range, often, it just comes down to style and flavor.

As for cart, it will all depend on proper matching with your arm and table and also what sonic style you are looking for: laid back like the Benz LP-S or dynamic like an Etna or something in between.
 
Here is a thread I started comparing two of my cartridges: AirTight PC-1 Supreme and My Sonic Lab Signature Gold. This direct comparison was done on my SME Model 30/12A with SME V-12 arm. The actual review is in post #13:

My Sonic Labs Gold Signature VS. Air Tight Supreme

You may want to find out about long term service with the Benz line of cartridges.
 
Dear Peter,


Thank you very much for your post and link. I actually did see your thread on the other site, and I found it very interesting. However I did not want to presume that the My Sonic Lab Signature Gold you reviewed is identical in sound to the Ultra Eminent model.
 
Dear Mike,

Thank you for your thought on the Air Force One. Thank you, also, for suggesting the Kronos. I was previously unfamiliar with that turntable.


I prefer the sound of tube equipment and a slightly laid back tonal balance. I have enjoyed the Benz Micro Ruby 2 for many years, so I am naturally inclined towards the LP-S MR.

Do you have any experience listening to music with the Basis Inspiration? If so, why did you choose the Sparta over the Inspiration?
 
I had a lower priced Benz cartridge on a basis table with vector arm and when I upgraded to LP-S (MR) the sound field opened up, became larger with more detail, presence, texture and slam. All on the same arm and table. This weekend I listened to same album (MoFi Marc Cohn) on amg v12 with Benz and on spiral groove with Goldfinger statement. Goldfinger had more clarity - peer into every note -- and extremely spacious and fast. The LP-S had more flow and rhythm and was centered more in the midrange and bass. Not veiled or dark but definitely warmer than Goldfinger. Easy to listen to and stop thinking. The Goldfinger makes me pay attention (in a pleasurable and musical way), the Benz lets me drift. Some albums are more enjoyable on the Benz (brightly engineered recordings etc) and some are better on spiral groove (best engineered jazz). My system has tube preamps into constellation ("set" sounding solid state) into Magico S5 (revealing and full range). So my system already is balanced in its sound so I don't need tone controls in my cartridge. If I needed my system to sound more toward full, warmand more forgiving I would pick Benz or Koetsu. If I was hungry to extract a little more air and detail I would opt for my Goldfinger or an air tight pc1
 
RonR said:
Dear Rob,


Thank you, also, for the welcome.


I agree it is very difficult to say forever or last (one should never say "never"). Of course cartridges need replacing.

My general philosophy always has been to buy what I truly find to be the best, and then just take very good care of it so it lasts a really long time. My record of not swapping equipment is pretty good. I have had my VTLs for almost 20 years. I like my Aesthetix Io Signature (circa 1998) and I do not expect ever to replace it.

It will be very exciting to learn the results of your cartridge shootout!
Click to expand...

its clear this isnt your first rodeo, its hard to tell from someones first post. I'm on the same page with you i'm a huge fan of AJ's tables (basis) the AF2 looks awesome as well. if you made it to the Newport show last June you saw Bob Graham showing off both the AF1 and 2. The 'table closest to the level of the techdas that I've owned was the versa dynamics.

an unfortunate reality regarding carts is they're expendable, or rather, consumables - they're like shoes no one gets by on just one pair - you'll want a back up cart. the Eminent GL is a few tiers below the Ultra and my impression of it may or may not be relevant to your question.
 
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