Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua

While I can't help you with your question, I am curious about your perception of the XV-1 vs. the Te Kaitora (age not withstanding). I'm thinking of one or the other in the not so distant future, and am quite familiar with the XV-1s performance, but I've never heard the Te Kaitora. Could you characterize the differences/similarities? Thanks.

-Richard

i have no experience with the te kaitora, but i just replaced my worn out xv-1s with a new one. the new one sounds much better, and the old one sounded great. i've hear there have been a few unannounced changes to the xv-1s over the past few years.

The XV-1 is better...why waste time with the T/K

We had both in our showroom at one time. The Te Kaitora Rua is a phenomena cartridge. Silky smooth in the top end and even more so than its big brother XV-1. The later fares better in terms of dynamic and transparent, but not by far. The XV-1 is heavier at at 12.6g vs TKR's 9.8g, so choose your tonearm carefully. Even you owned the XV-1 before, you will be pleasantly surprise how good the TKR is.

Palasar XV-1 v original Te-Kaitora was similat to what Audiomax said, except gap between both was larger with XV-1 having better flow, dynamics and see thru transparency. ted-kaitora was a little misty in comparison.

Stringreen. I know the XV-1 is better - I own it. The VPI HRX is better than the Scoutmaster, but we all make choices.
I have used over the last 15 years XX-1, Te kaitora, XV-1, XV-1s and back to XV-1.
I am not going to buy a 2nd one to put on my 2nd table the Linn - quite pointless and expensive. I am looking for a cartridge to put on my Linn LP12.

Audiomax - thanks for that, smooth and slilky is what I am looking for. I was not sure if the Rua had more upper level energy like the XV-1 v XV-1s, which is what I am not really looking for.

I can get the Rua at a good price using the old one as trade in. I know the Te kaitora works well with the Naim ARO.

keep those comments coming

thanks

My friend who owns the superb Titan-i,keeps the TKR as a back up,and likes it very much!Actually,there are a few of his audio pals who do the same."These" guys are committed anudiophile/LP collecting fanatics(an understatement,if you knew them),so the cartridge cannot be anything less than quite good!

Good luck

Downunder..the reason I got a scoutmaster and not the HRX is because of the size requirement of the bigger turntable. I suspect that both the t/k or x/v would fit into your arm. If you already have a X/V, and just want to play with a different sonic signature, why not try a zyx, or Benz or ...etc.

fwiw, the xv-1s works with the ARO, you just need to get the heavy counterweight from naim, if you don't already have it.