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The Best Cartridge Available Today Bar None?

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  • The Best Cartridge Available Today Bar None?

    Lyra
    Ortofon
    ZYX
    Air Tight
    ?????
    Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
    Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
    ________________________________________

    -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
    -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
    -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
    -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
    -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
    -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
    -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga Mk. 2, vdh Colibri Master Signature, MutechHayabusa, Phasemation PP-500 cartridges
    -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
    -Assorted cables including Transparent XL Gen. 6, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
    -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

  • #2
    This should be interesting. I think Dre has a head start on everyone having used or owned some the 'best' carts ever, whatever that means to everyone,

    Comment


    • #3
      You have to include Koetsu

      Comment


      • #4
        Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement ??
        Last edited by JCOConnell; 04-07-2016, 07:52 PM. Reason: added Statement
        Magnepan 1.6 QR Loudspeakers, Amherst A-2000 MOSFET 150 WPC Amp, Conrad Johnson PV-10A Modded Tube Line & Phono Stage, Electrocompaniet MC II Class A Head Amp, Audio Technica AT-OC9XML Cart (Stereo) , Graham Engineering 2.2 Tonearm (Stereo) , VPI Aries-1 Turntable (Stereo) , VPI Clamp, Denon DL-102 Cart, (Mono) , Luxman Tonearm (Mono) , Kenwood KD-500 Turntable (Mono) , Michell Clamp, Marantz 20B Analog FM Tuner, Pioneer SACD, Onkyo DX-6800 CD Transport, DIY 24B/192K DAC, Sennheiser HD-650 Headphones, Headroom Max Balanced Headphone Amp, DIY Silver Interconnects

        Comment


        • #5
          Too many variable.....I think it would be easier to list five best instead of one
          Jeff Whitlock
          A/V Solutions

          www.avsolutionsca.com

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by A/V Solutions View Post
            Too many variable.....I think it would be easier to list five best instead of one

            Knock yourself out!
            Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
            Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
            ________________________________________

            -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
            -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
            -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
            -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
            -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
            -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
            -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga Mk. 2, vdh Colibri Master Signature, MutechHayabusa, Phasemation PP-500 cartridges
            -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
            -Assorted cables including Transparent XL Gen. 6, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
            -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

            Comment


            • #7
              It's a matter of taste for the top tier carts from the top tier manufacturers. There is no best cart.
              Christian
              System Gear

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by rockitman View Post
                It's a matter of taste for the top tier carts from the top tier manufacturers. There is no best cart.
                Or system? Or table?

                Let's throw out a few favorite sons.

                Air Tight Opus

                ZYX Universe Premium

                Lyra Atlas SL

                Clearaudio Goldfinger

                Ortofon Anna (one could slum with the A95)

                Koetsu Coralstone (or Blue Lace?)

                Soundsmith Strain Gauge

                Soundsmith Hyperion 2

                Ikeda Kai

                Kondo Io

                Acoustical Systems Aiwon



                (isn't it amazing to be talking 36 years after the introduction of digital about analog and cartridges? Who wudda thought?)
                Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
                Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
                ________________________________________

                -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
                -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
                -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
                -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
                -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
                -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
                -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga Mk. 2, vdh Colibri Master Signature, MutechHayabusa, Phasemation PP-500 cartridges
                -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
                -Assorted cables including Transparent XL Gen. 6, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
                -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

                Comment


                • Rob
                  Rob commented
                  Editing a comment
                  No Vdh,or Allaerts? How about Transfig/Mutech and My Sonic Labs. You also have to include OOP carts by Miyabi (Cello, Krell, ML carts) at the very least and the Rowland Complement/Ikeda 9 Supremo

                • MylesBAstor
                  MylesBAstor commented
                  Editing a comment
                  I want to limit it to current production. Anyone can add the others.

              • #9
                Lyra Olympos, Dynavector XV-1t, Koetsu Tiger Eye
                Christian
                System Gear

                Comment


                • #10
                  OK so which are the champs at:

                  Soundstaging
                  Imaging
                  Tonality
                  Bass
                  Resolution
                  Speed
                  Microdynamics
                  Inner detail and subtlety
                  Spatial recreation
                  Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
                  Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
                  ________________________________________

                  -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
                  -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
                  -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
                  -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
                  -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
                  -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
                  -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga Mk. 2, vdh Colibri Master Signature, MutechHayabusa, Phasemation PP-500 cartridges
                  -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
                  -Assorted cables including Transparent XL Gen. 6, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
                  -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

                  Comment


                  • #11
                    OK let me throw out a few comments on what I think defines different cartridge's sound.

                    Air Tight Opus-???

                    ZYX Universe Premium-I am told this is totally unlike the other ZYX models. Other models stood out for the ability to engage the listener and capture the pulse of the music. Also very quiet.

                    Lyra Atlas SL-not heard but in house. The "stock" Atlas excelled at dynamics, low end impact, tone and resolution. Of all the cartridges that came through here, was the closest to the sound of tape. Also was very quiet and quiet. Quiet in the sense of the intrinsic noise floor and quiet in the sense that records that were noisy with other cartridges seemed much fresher with the Atlas (stylus footprint???).

                    Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement-speed, ease, resolution and inner detail. In the right set-up, could also have spooky realistic midrange.

                    Ortofon Anna (one could slum with the A95)-A95 gets out of the way of the music, very neutral, fast and dynamic.

                    Koetsu Coralstone (or Blue Lace?)-haven't heard this pair of Koetsus but the lesser priced Azule Platinum (IIRC all but one basically use the same generator mechanism, just different body). What impressed me the most was the Azule's absolutely tremendous sense of space, resolution and neutrality. No, it's not like the wood bodied nor Koetsus of yore eg. being technicolored.

                    Soundsmith Strain Gauge-only heard at show and was super impressed with its digital like "silence" and resolution. Thought the Atlas was quiet until heard the SG.

                    Soundsmith Hyperion 2-???

                    Ikeda Kai -speed, resolution, dynamics and space.

                    Kondo Io-only heard this at Bob V's but impressed me with its sense of resolution, space, spaciousness and imaging. Unelectronic sounding.

                    Acoustical Systems Aiwon-???
                    Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
                    Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
                    ________________________________________

                    -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
                    -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
                    -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
                    -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
                    -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
                    -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
                    -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga Mk. 2, vdh Colibri Master Signature, MutechHayabusa, Phasemation PP-500 cartridges
                    -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
                    -Assorted cables including Transparent XL Gen. 6, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
                    -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

                    Comment


                    • #12
                      Have you had the opportunity to mount the the Lyra Atlas SL? I am in the process of thinking about a replacement for my Ortofon A90. I have had excellent luck in my Rockport with both the Titan i and the A90, so find myself thinking seriously about another Ortofon or another Lyra. Given that I am using the Ypsilon phono and one of their transformers, gain is really not an issue.
                      Rockport Sirius turntable, Lyra Atlas SL cartridge, Audio Note M9 SE Phono stage, Audio Note M10 (Signature) linestage, EMM Labs TX2/DA2 digital, Audio Note Balanced Kegon amps, EMM Labs MTRX amps, Acapella Triolons, Jorma Prime and Odin 2 cables, Stage 3 Kraken power cords, HB Marble Powerslave, Finite Elemente Pagode Reference stands and Cerabases, Halcyonics active isolation bases, HRS Equipment stand, Stillpoints Ultra 6 footers, Furitech cable isolators and plugs, Loricraft and Audiodesk vinyl cleaners, Yamaha CT7000 Tuner.

                      Comment


                      • #13
                        Originally posted by fcrowder View Post
                        Have you had the opportunity to mount the the Lyra Atlas SL? I am in the process of thinking about a replacement for my Ortofon A90. I have had excellent luck in my Rockport with both the Titan i and the A90, so find myself thinking seriously about another Ortofon or another Lyra. Given that I am using the Ypsilon phono and one of their transformers, gain is really not an issue.

                        Hopefully in the next week or so. I just need to get this Ortofon A95 review done. It sounds so good that it's been hard writing the review.
                        Myles B. Astor, PhD, Administrator
                        Senior Editor, Positive-Feedback.com
                        ________________________________________

                        -Zellaton Plural Evo speakers
                        -Goldmund Telos 440 and 1000 Nextgen mono amps
                        -Goldmund Mimesis 37S Nextgen preamplifier
                        -Doshi EVO and Goldmund PH3.8 phonostage
                        -VPI Vanquish direct-drive turntable
                        -VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy dual pivot tonearm, VPI 12-inch 3D Fat Boy gimballed and SAT LM-12 arm
                        -Lyra Atlas SL Lambda, Fuuga Mk. 2, vdh Colibri Master Signature, MutechHayabusa, Phasemation PP-500 cartridges
                        -Technics RS1506 with Flux Magnetic heads, Doshi V3.0 tape stage (balanced)
                        -Assorted cables including Transparent XL Gen. 6, Skogrand, Kubala-Sosna, Audience FrontRow; Audience FrontRow, Genesis Advanced Technologies , Goldmund and Ensemble Power Cords
                        -Accessories including Stillpoint Aperture panels, Cathedral Sound panels, Furutech NCF Nano AC receptacles; Silver Circle Tchaik 6 PLC, Symposium ISIS and SRA Craz 3 racks, Audiodharma Cable Cooker, Symposium Ultra and assorted SRA OHIO Class 2.3+ platforms.

                        Comment


                        • #14
                          Another +1 for the A95. Had the A90 before, and the A95 is quite a step up, not just a move into a warmer, fuller sound!
                          Disclosure:
                          Alma Music and Audio - La Jolla, CA
                          Aqua Hi-Fi - Audio Research - Audioquest - Audionet - Audiopax - Auralic - Aurender - Bergmann - Brodmann - D'Agostino - darTZeel - Devialet - DEQX - ELAC - Evolution Acoustics - Hegel - iFi - Innuos - IsoTek - Kii Audio - Koetsu - Kronos - Kubala Sosna - Kuzma - Larsen - Linn - MSB Technology - Music Hall - Ortofon - Solid Steel - Technics - Wharfedale - Wilson Audio - YG Acoustics
                          [ http://almaaudio.com ]

                          Comment


                          • #15
                            Originally posted by MylesBAstor View Post
                            Lyra
                            Ortofon
                            ZYX
                            Air Tight
                            ?????
                            What flavor do you like?

                            Comment

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