I can speak for the Bird on my Classic.
As long as you’re CAREFUL, it a great cart in the $1K category.
There wasnt a low output version offered a few years back, so my experience was with the HO model. The low version may be nicer.
At least in my all tube system, I heard clean, detailed music with convincing bass,clear mids and highs, maybe once in awhile recording dependent-"hot" in the uppermost frequencies?
After crashing the stylus, sent it to SS for their best rebuild, which I thought was nicer than original.
The past 2 years the Audio Technica ART 9(also in your budget) has been on my table. Between the 2, the ART9 is a bit more convincing.
Check the extensive thread.
The only negative about the Bird’ is the exposed design. To most,no big deal. But if you’re a klutz as myself, it can mean a disaster.
Both carts will kill on your new Prime, assuming you have a phono stage up to the task.
As long as you’re CAREFUL, it a great cart in the $1K category.
There wasnt a low output version offered a few years back, so my experience was with the HO model. The low version may be nicer.
At least in my all tube system, I heard clean, detailed music with convincing bass,clear mids and highs, maybe once in awhile recording dependent-"hot" in the uppermost frequencies?
After crashing the stylus, sent it to SS for their best rebuild, which I thought was nicer than original.
The past 2 years the Audio Technica ART 9(also in your budget) has been on my table. Between the 2, the ART9 is a bit more convincing.
Check the extensive thread.
The only negative about the Bird’ is the exposed design. To most,no big deal. But if you’re a klutz as myself, it can mean a disaster.
Both carts will kill on your new Prime, assuming you have a phono stage up to the task.