Anyone contrast Transfiguration with Allaerts?


Has anyone auditioned both brands in their system? I'd appreciate any insight into the similarity/difference? Are they in the same league?
ebush
Yes, each of us has our own "filters". I need neutrality, grainless (low distortion) without rolling the top to get it. and great phase and harmonic integrity. My sense it that the Allaerts will deliver the depth and resolution to add to what I already have. I just need to match the cartridge and look for other's experience in best match for step-up load, non-step up active load, and effective arm mass. Any help here will be greatly appreciated. I also wonder about the Benz Ebony L which seems to aim at the same characteristics.
Ed
Dear Ed: Taking in count what you posted I think that the Ruby 2 can be a good choice for you other than the Allaerts MC2 Finish Gold.
I'm talking here only on the overall cartridge performance not of what are the needs on arm/phono stage, specially the Allaerts.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Raul, What characteristics of the Ruby do you think would work better for me than the Allaerts MC1B, which is the only Allaerts I could consider, again assuming that I can match either correctly with arm and impedance? Also do you suggest the Ebony L to not fit the same catagory?
Ed
Hi Ed,

I doubt that anyone can say definitively whether or not you have any sort of compatibility issue as far as the Allaert and the SUT in your phono stage. The following is a "guide" to SUT matching:

http://www.vinylengine.com/step-ups-and-mc-cartridges.shtml

I have no idea if this guide is helpful or not. Built-in stepup transformers in a phono stage are kind of a hit or miss deal, because the ideal transformer characteristics depends on the amount of gain you need and on the source impedance of the cartridge.

As far as the proper loading into an active phonostage, the Allaert distributor insists on a very specific loading (at least that is the case with the cartridge my friend owns). This suggests that the cartridge is very sensitive to proper loading.

My own experience with other cartridges is that proper loading is very system specific, so at best, a range can be recommended. To some extent, one juggles a variety of adjustments interactively, rather than as discrete adjustments. For example, if you have tonal issues, such as a cartridge sounds too bright or lean (lacking in midbass), the best setup might involve a combination of increasing the loading (going with a LOWER number for the loading resistor) as well as lowering VTA a little.

I know this advice goes against the school of adjustment that says that there is a very specific loading for each cartridge, based on its electrical characteristics. However, in my experience each cartridge reacts differently to loading, depending on the phonostage.
Dear Ed: I an't speak on that Allaert or the Ebony L because I don't have any experiences with.

The Ruby 2 has very good tonal balance with no " biasing " to one or the other frequency extremes, it is extended but not bright, easy listening type cartridge, not lean not over-warmer and could be matched by your Moerch tonearm specially if you own the wands with the " signature " headshell ".

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.