Congratulations. My Master Sig also sounded great out of the box, but it is slowly improving over time. About 55 hours now. I find the exposed cantilever with no stylus guard extremely troublesome, especially on a 12" arm. I agree that it is easy to mount, but boy it takes nerves of steel to not touch that cantilever in the process. Pros and cons.
What cartridges are you using?
- Thread starter puroagave
- Start date
Congratulations. My Master Sig also sounded great out of the box, but it is slowly improving over time. About 55 hours now. I find the exposed cantilever with no stylus guard extremely troublesome, especially on a 12" arm. I agree that it is easy to mount, but boy it takes nerves of steel to not touch that cantilever in the process. Pros and cons.
KenSea
Member
I found it a bit mechanical sounding for the first 100 hrs or so , but there’s beautiful sound at the end of the rainbow .
zettelsm
New member
zettelsm
New member
Well, that’s interesting. I guess the picture posted after all. . .
Steve Z
Steve Z
vortrex
New member
Audio Tekne MC6310
Phasemation PP-500
Shindo SPU-G
One thing I’ve learned is even with ~$2k cartridges you are leaving a lot on the table with lesser electronics and turntable setup. Personally I’d rather put my money there than a wear item like cartridges.
Phasemation PP-500
Shindo SPU-G
One thing I’ve learned is even with ~$2k cartridges you are leaving a lot on the table with lesser electronics and turntable setup. Personally I’d rather put my money there than a wear item like cartridges.
tom_hankins
New member
My Sonic Lab Signature Gold, around 30 hours on it. So far sounds really good! I'll try and post a pic or two later today.
Randy Myers
Well-known member
Updated to matching Rega cartridge. Their new Ania Pro. So far it is a wonderful cartridge!
View attachment 28148
View attachment 28148
Drrsutliff
Member
Miyajima Madake with about 30 hours an it. Very organic and detailed at the same time. Interesting contrast to my Windfeld Ti and Kiseki Purple Heart. With only two tonearms the Windfeld is currently on the shelf as the Kiseki PH and the Madake compete for attention.
Now THIS is a great cartridge. We have several MySonicLabs carts in the store. They all hit 2-3 times above their price point. Neutral, fast, quiet, smooth on top, dynamic, great trackers.
We had a couple of VDH’s and they were noisy as hell and not overly impressive for the money. The same money spent on a MSL gets a way better sounding cart IMO.
The MSL reminds us of our Transfiguration carts. Great sound for the money. Too bad the guy died from Transfiguration. [emoji22]
P.S. a $5000 MSL is the same as about a $10-12k AirTight. Same damn cart. Compare the specs!
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Hello Mike, There are certainly different opinions about vd Hull cartridges versus the MSL. I happen to like both brands. People seem to be divided between the more forgiving warmer sound of the MSL and the more revealing neutral sound of the van den Hull.
The master signature and grand cru are very special cartridges and I prefer them to this MSL signature gold. Like the MSL they were voiced on SME V arms or so I have read. If you really like the MSL sound which can be quite good, perhaps you should consider selling SME turntables and tonearms.
The master signature and grand cru are very special cartridges and I prefer them to this MSL signature gold. Like the MSL they were voiced on SME V arms or so I have read. If you really like the MSL sound which can be quite good, perhaps you should consider selling SME turntables and tonearms.
Haven’t read anything regarding that. Sorry if I missed it. I just haven’t found the VDH to be convincing enough over a MSL for the money. We brought in VDH and MSL at the same time for a comparison. I wanted to like the VDH, but the MSL just kicks ass for the money IMO. And we found the VDH’s to be a little noisy from a tracking perspective. As they say, YMMV. FWIW, my employee loved the VDH, but we both preferred the MSL.
I would consider SME, but SME isn’t direct anymore. I was considering them when they were direct. It’s complicated, don’t want to say anymore.
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OK, that makes sense. I thought you were talking in absolute terms not value for the money. I agree that MSL is a very good value. Are you now the US distributor taking over from AJ Conti of Basis Audio or is it just a brand you represent? My local Magico dealer up here also sells MSL cartridges. I would love to one to hear the signature platinum.
For MSL or VDH? MSL is handled by Mofi. VDH is managed by the fellow who makes plastic covers for VPI turntables.
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Batty
New member
I also have a Garrott K2, Nagaoka MP11, and Ortofon Quintet Bronze,
Hello,
I just found this thread.
VDH has been through numerous distributors for years.
I am still enjoying my MC2 very much.
It is very natural sounding and not overly analytical in my system at all.
My cartridge has been re tipped and modified to the SP version by AJ.
I really could not be more pleased with this cartridge.
My only concern is AJ is getting up there in age.
Hope he has someone to take over .
Cheers
I just found this thread.
VDH has been through numerous distributors for years.
I am still enjoying my MC2 very much.
It is very natural sounding and not overly analytical in my system at all.
My cartridge has been re tipped and modified to the SP version by AJ.
I really could not be more pleased with this cartridge.
My only concern is AJ is getting up there in age.
Hope he has someone to take over .
Cheers
Tubeophile
New member
Lyra Kleos, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Dynavector XX2 MKII, Ortofon Kontrapunkt-b, AT-33R, AT-MONO3/LP & Ortofon OM10. Can't have too many.
Pic missing the XX2 MKII, which is inbound.
Pic missing the XX2 MKII, which is inbound.
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RPM-123
New member
Kiseki Purple Heart N.S.- Five years old and still making beautiful music!