Cartridge for my VPI Classic 3...suggestions?

Mike

Mike

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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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
Picked up this brand today...

Transfiguration-Proteus-main.jpg


Proteus on order...
 
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.
 
Mike said:
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.
Click to expand...

Koetsu Sky blue Urushi. Sounds great on my classic 3.
 
If you have a bunch of mono records, I would recommend a Miyajima Zero. Works like a charm in my Classic 3. Larry
 
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.
 
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.
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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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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
 
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. :D
 
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.
 
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Stringreen said:
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.
Click to expand...

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