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Cartridge and step up / riaa for TW Acustic Raven

Hi!

I hope you all are well :)

If everything gets together I will buy a TW Acustic Raven One with a Graham Phantom II in the new year. The next step is to buy a cartridge and phono amp.

My equipment consist of Wilson Sophias II, Burmester 032 integrated amp, Burmester 061 cd player, Nordost Tyr interconnects and speaker cables, Thor powerdistributor with Nordost Brahma powerlines. In addition to this I have a Revox B77 mk2 reel to reel player.

The Burmester sound is in many ways similar to McIntosh, but slightly more on the ying side. The sound is clear and open, with a wonderful mids. The treble is smooth and detailed. The bottom is dynamic and deep, but more running with the flow than with a slam. The bigger 911 mk3 amp is more detailed in the bottom. But the price level is different too.

So I have to combine a cartridge and phono amp to this. I play all kind of music, since I am both is a talent buyer for rock pop festivals and a consultant for the national arts council regarding music (all kinds). So I listen a lot to music through the week.

I like dynamic open detailed open sound, but I do not like it overly analytical if that means too much forward in its presentation.

I like the sound in my system at the moment. However, I have to do something with my listening room, but thats another story. Its an ongoing process as we know!

My budget at this point will be approx. USD 3,000 for the phono amp and USD 1,500 for the cartridge. Maybe step later on.

The dealer of TW Acustic has reccommended Koetsu and Air Tight.

Thanks for your help!

Cheeers, ToffenG

toffeng

Showing 5 responses by audiofeil

audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>12-18-09: Dougdeacon
For the second time in a week I find myself agreeing with Audiofeil.<<

This is not good.

Time to re-think my position.

:-)))
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
The Shilabe is one of the most overpriced cartridges on the market. Yuk.

IMO
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>12-18-09: Syntax
Well, they only do what others do, too.<<

So what's your point?

>>Cartridges have the highest profit in general<<

Irrelevant
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Among your 3 choices, the Windfeld would be my last.

It does nothing wrong but to my ears does not have an "excite" factor I experience with the other 2. Others may feel (hear) differently and cartridge choice is quite subjective.

Remember, you can't fully evaluate any cartridge without a proper tonearm match.

And vice versa.

Dealer disclaimer.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
I've heard your cartridge Robyatt.

One needs not buy one to hear one.

Comparing it to anything I sell is irrelevant as my opinion is just as valid as yours. Perhaps more so having heard hundreds of cartridges in over 50 years of the hobby/business.

So let me be clear. The Shilabe is overpriced IMO.

Thank you very much.
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