Cartridge Recommendations

Soundsmith is the best cartridge I've heard.

@xagwell exciting times for you!  I also share Jperry’s experience with Basis/vector frontend.  He gave me great advice.  BTW I am 95% vinyl also, good analog tends to do that.

I will be curious to follow your upgrade path.  

Jperry I am overhauling from top to bottom as my system is 15+ years old and I'm retired now so one more time.  I am 95% vinyl so that has been taken care of.  I'm jumping to speakers and there is a battle between Vimberg Mino and Focal Sopra 3.  This is limited to brands I can audition locally but so far I've heard Revel, B&W, Perlisten, Vandersteen, Dynaudio, Sonus Faber and Estelon.  After speakers then pre-amp and well you know.  Thanks for reaching out!

@xagwell 

That is an interesting update. I think Basis, and especially the Vector tonearm is great equipment. I owned Basis including a Vector 3 tonearm in the past

I currently have a MSL cartridge and it is IMO one of the best.

Glad to hear you are happy with your changes

Hey gang an update for you.  I did not get the SoundSmith but surprisingly I ditched my Linn instead and moved up to Basis/Vector 4 Tonearm around January last year.  Initially I went with a Clear Audio Stradivari because I auditioned it but snagged that sucker upon install.  For no good reason I ignored or forgot your feedback and went for the Hana Umami Red to replace it.  Basis tech support advised that this cart should be no problem however a lot of Basis owners were using Dynavector cartridges with good results. In addition my Rhea now has the Eclipse upgrade but only 35 hours of burn in.  Aesthetix recommends approximately 280 hours=80% of upgrade results. The Hana has 93 hours on it now but I know the sonics will continue to evolve because of the Rhea.  However I currently find the Hana to be very open and detailed which I like.  I find the mids to be wonderful with a nice touch of air!.  Would I buy another Hana, well I don't know because I've since fallen in love with MySonicLabs.......but just as in January of 2019 I remain curious about Soundsmith!

Dear @xagwell  You can't go wrong with either of this alternatives. I own your 90X and these two better cartridges quality performance than the 90X:

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9aee1-lyra-kleos-mc-phono-cartridge-like-new-cartridges

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9c350-van-den-hul-colibri-xgp-gold-lw-new-latest-version-cartridges


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

+1 on the Soundsmith. I am using the Paua mkii and it was a revelation after using Koetsu’s, Dynavectors, Sumikos, Grado’s and Shure. There is a 50 percent off sale going on at Elusive Disc on some models including the Zephyr. you will be surprised how good these sound.

Maybe it is worth to look over your owns shoulder and thinking
about the new DS Audio DS-E1?

I'll second the Lyra Delos

You may want to look at a Lyra Delos which will certainly better your old Shelter without changing the sonic signature too much. It's really a wonderful cartridge that's really difficult to beat.

As always thanks for your feedback which I value so much!  I am now leaning more toward Soundsmith but first I have to see what these Mye Sound stands do for my Maggies...................this stuff never ends

I don't think you can go wrong with Soundsmith. I find some other cartridges do somethings exceptionally well but lack something in some other area.The best way I can describe the soundsmiths I use they do nothing wrong, and  that's very important to me. Leave it on the table, wear it out, send it off, get a like new one. They always answer the phone willing to help, can't beat it.

Nice, another vote for MI over MC
This what has been said in MM thread years ago, worth to read again. 

There are many contenders, not only SoundSmith 

I own a Soundsmith Zephyr Mk3.  What a great sounding Cartridge. I've been listening to a MC (very popular, $3695 retail), but I always had issues with noise.  So I picked up the Zephyr on sale ($899 from Elusive Disc), just to see what a MI, high output (2.4mV) would do.  I am so, so pleased.  Wonderfully quiet, beautiful tonality, and a very spacious soundstage, and this is with only 12 hours on it.  I think, for the money (and perhaps for even more) you won't do any better.  My highest recommendation.....Go for the Soundsmith!  You will not be disappointed.

@mre28m5 It’s not because the SoundSmith cartridge is more expensive, it’s because the cartridge is MI with Sapphire cantilever and Selected Contact Line stylus.

You’re comparing this MI cartridge to the entry level Denon 103 MC desidned in the late ’60s with the cheapest ever Spherical stylus on alluminum cantilever. The Hanna is nothing special, but the Shibata stylus.

If you like what low output MI can do then you can discover some amazing MI like Grado Signature XTZ, or low impedance (low output) MM designed by Stanton/Pickering in the 70/80’s such as Stanton XLZ 980 or Pickering XLZ 4500s - they are both works only with MC phono stage or with headamp, but both cartridges are MM

I have had the opportunity to hear a Soundsmith Zephyr played through 3.7’s several times.  It’s the best vinyl I have heard. Direct listening comparisons with the Zephyr were made to a DL 103 and a Hana EL on one occasion. I very much preferred the Zephyr. Not surprising, as the Zephyr is much more expensive.@joegator81 ‘s description is spot on and precisely and concisely describes my experience of the Zephyr. 

Not sure if it’s a good much for your arm but the Soundsmith zephyr Star is very nice. It took the dynamic capabilities of my system up a notch without being in your face. Never seems to work to hard, no etch in the treble. I’m sure there are carts that sound more effortless than this one but effortless is an apt description. It likes to be tail up on my Nottingham ace space 294. Very non fatiguing, I can listen for hours. 

You should listen to an EMT. Mid level output will allow you to listen with less gain from your Rhea and keep you out of the noise floor

Very nice well rounded plenty of detail and separation. Its on sale for $699 from online sites.

Appreciate your feedback.........what are the sonic
characteristics of this cartridge in  your system?

Some of the Soundsmith line is currently on sale as the line has been redesigned. I have the Carmen mk2 which is a great sounding cartridge. I am using a moon lp3 phono pre and Maggie 3.7i speakers