Calling all ZYX aficionados

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Bryanp,
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If it is anywhere in your budget, get the UNIverse over the Airy3. The Airy3 is outstanding, but the UNIverse is phenomenally better and well worth the difference in price.
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I had the Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum before trying the Airy2, Airy3 and UNIverese in my system on the same weekend listening to the same music with 3 friends and all were in complete agreement. The Airy2 was clearly better than the Koetsu RSP (which I loved), the Airy3 was faster, had more detail and better dynamics than the Airy2 but was a bit too bright in my system and the UNIverse was just head and shoulders better than the Airy3. It had more speed, better dynamics and better detail than the Airy3 but was incredibly more musical and magical without any of the brightness.
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The UNIverse is just one of the best cartridges available by a clear margin.
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I am guessing that you will have enough gain, but perhaps someone else would be more qualified to answer the gain question.
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Rgds,
Larry

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Bryanp,
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P.S. I have a Teres 340 paired with my ZYX UNIverse.
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Rgds,
Larry
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I will second the positive experience of dealing with Mehran of Sora sound. He is as honest and fair as they come in Audio and he will bend over backwards to help you.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Bryanp,
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As a side note, I have not found the ZYX UNIverse to be the least bit shy in the bass. It is fast, dyanmic and great on attacks while still being incredibly musical/emotional without any sense of brightness. The strong bass response is corroborated by 2 other good friends friends that also have a UNIverse in their system.
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Dogpile (interesting moniker),
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If you have an interest in the UNIverse, contact Mehran at Sora Sound. He is very helpful and would probably find a way to help you move up from the Airy3 to the UNIverse. Do try to get a low output version if at all possible.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Sirspeedy, would you prefer your eggs sunny side up or scambled ?
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Rgds,
Larry
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Sirspeedy,
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It’s always a thrill to hear to hear from you.
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I suspect that you might be in for a surprise when you finally get to hear a ZYX UNIverse for yourself. Do be inquisitive and questioning, but try to temper your skepticism just a wee bit.
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I realize that my and a few others positive reactions towards the UNIverse may seem a bit over zealous. The support for this cartridge really comes from the wonderful things this cartridge does for one’s system. I have yet to hear of anyone hearing the cartridge reacting with anything but whole hearted enthusiasm to the improvements it brings to the music.
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I have listened to and compared the UNIverse to several excellent cartridges in my own system and found it to be significantly better than all but one, which I feel it rivaled.
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I am not sure what the value in my sharing what I paid for the cartridge might be other than you think I might be some type of shill for ZYX or the importer. I can assure you that I paid for the cartridge and have no vested interest in the cartridge other than hoping for others to improve the sound of their system and also see a great product do well.
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Bryan White is an extremely decent guy who has spent a lot of time on Audiogon trying to help people improve their systems. I think all he has done is overflowed a bit with some enthusiasm for a new product that he just bought. What possible harm is there in him sharing that a quickly mounted, non-adjusted and non-broken in cartridge fresh out of the box sounded great ? Read some of Bryan's posts when you have time and I think you will find that he is quite experienced / knowledgeable and extremely generous with his time in trying help others improve their systems.
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I am not trying to state or imply that the UNIverse is perfect or the best. What I do think is that it is the best value in a cartridge and possibly the best currently produced cartridge.
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I am open minded and won’t miss an opportunity to hear other cartridges in my system. When and if I find a currently produced cartridge that makes my system sound better, I will be trying to share that with others so they can benefit as well.
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Rgds,
Larry
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Sirspeedy,
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For what's it worth I get your sense of humor and am quite dry by nature myself. So, no harm no foul. I do always enjoy your posts.
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I also like the fact that you don't take things at surface value. I try to be quite careful about how I go about doing comparisons so that they are valid (both for my sake and for when I might share my experiences/opinions.
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I don't miss the opportunity to share my happiness with my UNIverse cartridge as well as my Teres table and positive experiences with cryoing equipment.
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I have compared my UNIverse with both my own Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum on my system on the same weekend while listening to the same LP's. The UNIverse was for my ears phenomenally better than the Koetsu. Previous to that I was able to compare my Koetsu RSP with a friends Koetsu Urushi and greatly preferred the RSP over the Urushi (which is a great cartridge on its own).

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I am delighted to hear that you have your SOTA back up and running and going so well. Good news on the Symposium Ultra working out. I would love for you to try a set of Rollerblocks on top of your Symposium Ultra and under the TT. Email me off line and I will be happy to loan a set to you to see if they make an improvement.
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Rgds,
Larry
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