Cartridge and/or phono stage upgrades


I have a VPI Classic 1 stock tt that seems fine as I’ve had it for 3 yr and bought used from a relative. It has a Transfiguration Axia cart with God knows how many hours and I was looking to maybe upgrade. I was looking for advice from someone with a positive experience with an upgrade for this gear. I’m running Parasound JC 3+ phono pre; Hegel H590 int amp; Magico A3; pr. of SVS SB 4000. I know an obvious phono upgrade is the Pass XP27 but a little more than I want to part with. I’ve been tempted by a trade for a ModWright PH 9.0X but I’m not sure that’ it is an upgrade or just a lateral move. 

hysteve

Showing 2 responses by pindac

@hysteve I would love to own a  " Transfiguration Axia cart with God knows how many hours "

A few years past to get into the Transfiguration experience, I was attempting to buy a damaged Proteus as a Wild Punt, as it was not working on one channel.

I would have loved to have owned the Donor Model and have known its full history, as you seemingly are at as a starting place.

My intention was to send the Cartridge of for a Investigation to learn what a repair would look like.

You don't know this but you Axia is filled with Micro Crud, the mechanical function of the Cartridge is substantially compromised. A Professional Service that overhauls a Cartridge don't need to Inspect to tell you this they know. The Cartridge was pretty much performing negatively due to built up contamination near 500 Hours of usage, from that point on it got more and more hindered with the continuing of Gatecrashing micro particulate.

The Stylus could be worn and the Tension Wires could be a little slack.

A inspection of the Cartridge to be supplied a Quote for work undertaken is approx' $60, usually incorporated into the Overall Quote if the Service work is accepted.

In relation to my attempt to own the Proteus, I passed on very similar info to the Vendor to consider before agreeing to a sale price.

The Vendor sent a Cartridge to the US, for the Inspection and not too ling after received a Cartridge that knocked them out of the Ball Park.

Not bad for close to £400 with shipping both ways inclusive.

With the New Price and Overhaul Price combined, the Cart' can easily supply close to 3000 Hours+ usage for under $2K, if it extends to nearer 4000 hours that is $00.50c per hour of usage.

The really interesting thing is that you can have a Stylus Cut of Your Choice, Ogura Vital ?? - Fritz Gyger - Microridge - Shibata.

Gyger's FGS has transformed plenty of Cart's and has many advocates. 

I have a friend who visits Gyger's Premises in Swiss and Buys at the door. It is great fun looking at the Parts in their storage case, an Eagle would struggle to see the contents.   

Expert Stylus supply a Stylus referred to the Paratrace.

There is not too much difference in the form of this Stylus to the FGS or the Replicant 100.

I know Paratrace adopters and they swear by them, when added to a MC - MM or even a Ceramic Cart'

Having the Cart' returned surgically cleaned along with a retip and tension wire tweaked will blow one out of the Ballpark when recollecting what was sent in comparison to the returned item.