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Cartridge upgrade

Hi all.  I have a quick question.  I have a Marantz TT-15S1 turntable that I've been enjoying for the last couple of years.  I am still using the included MM Clearaudio Virtuoso wood cartridge that has served me well so far.  At the end of last year, I upgraded my phono stage to a Manley Chinook that I like a lot.  I am looking to upgrade my cartridge this fall.  I was looking at Kiseki Purple Heart NS.  My question is this, does it make sense to put a $3,400 cartridge on a $1,700 (base audiophile) table?  I imagine there will be some sound improvement but how much?

rfauto
markmendenhall
223 posts
 

FWIW, have owned a Kiseki Purpleheart NS for several years.  Recently installed a Hana Umami Blue just for a change.  So far the Kiseki sounds better to my ears.  Excellent cartridge.  The Blue is fine, but there’s a magic to the Kiseki; it is full sounding, sweet, detailed, with an excellent and realistic mid range that is clear and unmuddied.  The Umami probably has some time remaining to fully bloom, but the Kiseki is special; certainly preferable to the Ortofon Cadenze Bronze I ran for years.  

noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 

Of course a more expensive cartridge will play and sound better on your turntable. The same way a set of Pirelli PZeros would on a Toyota Camry. You will not benefit from everything the cartridge has to offer. 

cooperdude6
5 posts
 

I've had the Virtuoso wood on a Clearaudio Solution table, and really was left wondering what the big deal was. It never impressed me over $200 cartridges.

I recently bought a Hana moving coil but haven't taken the time to switch over (I have to pull my preamp out, open it up and reset the tabs for the correct load) and then take the time to dial in the new cartridge. I do it soon as this summer I just haven't had time to do much critical listening. A dealer I spoke with likes the Hana's and Dynavector MCs for under $2K for what it's worth.

 

orthomead
134 posts
 

I have had both the Kisecki blue and purple heart.  There is no doubt that the Purple blows the blue out of the water.  Hard to find a better sounding cartridge at that price.  To get the most out of it though, proper cartridge set up is key.

rfauto OP
15 posts
 

@mijostyn thanks for your input regarding a cartridge for my table.  I made a stop at my local Clearaudio dealer last week.  He agreed with you that the satisfy tonearm on my table could handle a significant cartridge upgrade.  I was planning on moving forward with a Soundsmith Voice purchase but was told by my local audio shop that my phono stage might have trouble properly loading that cartridge.  I ended up ordering a Hana Umami Blue.  It hasn't arrived yet but I'm really looking forward to using it.  Cheers,  Russ

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