In the past I've owned mostly Dynavector cartridges and I really like the Dynavector sound but when I ordered my Brinkmann Bardo turntable, I was told that the EMT TSD15 SFL would be an excellent match for this turntable and that it's an amazing cart plus I noticed that it's listed on the Stereophile Recommended Components list, so I decided to go for it.
It is a nice cart but I'm not convinced that it's better than a Dynavector and I really haven't heard the "magic" that the dealer claimed.
So some time next summer, I may go back to a Dynavector (DV-XX2 MKII) or maybe even try an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.
|
Go up to a dyna XV-1s. Then you will really hear "magic
cheers |
At $5,000 for the XV-1s, I hope so... |
"At $5,000 for the XV-1s, I hope so..."
They do come up on the used market every now and then here on Agon. Been
thinking about one of those for a while now myself. Seen them between
$2500.00 - $3500.00 with very low hours. I would only buy from reputable
sellers with excellent feedback. |
Agiaccio if you used the "standard" EMT TSD on the BArdo I'm not surprised you didn't hear the magic. When I had my Bardo with 10.5" Brinkmann arm I used the moddified EMT Ti (titanium with specila titanium screws) cartridge and there was more magic than you could ever dream of.
Yes the "regular" EMT retails at $1900 or there abouts the modified Brinman EMT retails at $4300.
(Dealer disclaimer) |
"In the past I've owned mostly Dynavector cartridges and I really like the Dynavector sound but when I ordered my Brinkmann Bardo turntable, I was told that the EMT TSD15 SFL would be an excellent match for this turntable and that it's an amazing cart plus I noticed that it's listed on the Stereophile Recommended Components list, so I decided to go for it.
It is a nice cart but I'm not convinced that it's better than a Dynavector and I really haven't heard the "magic" that the dealer claimed."
So some time next summer, I may go back to a Dynavector (DV-XX2 MKII) or maybe even try an Ortofon Cadenza Bronze.
WHAT TONEARM DO YOU USE? WHAT PHONO STAGE/SUT...? |
Tonearm = Origin Live Encounter MK3C (9" model)
Phono Stage = Linn Uphorik |
...soooo. Any comparisons to the Lyra Delos, folks? |
I know it has not been suggested but I think one of the most under-rated, under-discussed and under-valued cartridge is the ART9 from Audio Technica. I have used the Delos, Skala, XX2 mk2, Kontrapunkt and Miyabi in the past. At the moment I use the ART9 and this is super class! I hear the same energy and neutrality in the ART9 as the Miyabi 47 cart but the ART9 is more transparent, it has even better soundstage articulation. The Delos sounds relatively coloured (a bit sweeter) and doesnt have the flow of the ART9. I just do not understand why this cart is never even discussed, is it because it is the cheapest of the all ? |
Pani,
I think it is because it is an AT. Nothing wrong with AT. I own many of them from the 150 ANV to the ML180 ooc and many in between. They have produced so many excellent cartridges that it is no longer one of the latest and greatest providers. Sad, but that is how this hobby of our is!
Enjoy it. To hell with all the other BS!
Regards, |
Griffithds, I would love to hear a 150 ANV or the ART7 but they are very low output MC carts and I do not have the phonostage for them. I heard the AT33-PTG and it sounded promising. I straight away jumped to their reference ART series cart and chose the one which would go with my phono. The ART9 is one of those carts which doesnt ever make you feel that there are better things out there that needs to be tried! Basically no upgraditis. Tone, timbre, Dynamics, timing and very accurate soundstage, all of them in the proportion that makes music sound musical and exciting and at the same time feels like you are hearing a direct cut from the studio. Not easy to find such a mix, let alone for $1.2k. It is a pity that people have not tried it yet. |
I am not speaking from experience - however, the EMT TSD15 works in heavier arms due to their low compliance. The lyras I have heard do have a kind of house sound and have an air and slight treble lift - I personally think they are very good although I have a softer spot for Transfiguration and Shelter Cartridges.
I don't know much about EMT voicing - although I am gonna get one for my EMT 950. |
Here is a comparison between Zu-103R, AT33PTG & Delos on a VPI Classic turntable. No doubt that the Audio Technica has a very high cost-performance ratio.
http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=vinyl&m=880112
>The lyras I have heard do have a kind of house sound
We aren't trying for a consistent house sound (other than always prioritizing dynamics, resolution and musical flow), and there are quite significant differences in the style of sound between different Lyra cartridges. For example, the Delos is a more youthful-sounding cartridge than the Kleos, and the Atlas is a more masculine-sounding cartridge than the Etna.
The Lyras have medium-high compliance (17~18mN around 8-10Hz), but also benefit from somewhat heavier tonearms. As long as the turntable suspension is stable and the tonearm has vertical bearings in the same plane as the LP (so that VTF doesn't change when the record moves the cartridge up and down), I prefer to keep the cartridge-tonearm low-frequency resonance at least in the lower 8Hz range, even lower if possible.
kind regards, jonathan carr |
Can I just say it's a privilege to have JCarr on this thread. I am saying my observations from having had in my system - both the Helikon and the Clavis both for about 3 years apiece. I've unfortunately not had any of the more recent cartridges - so obviously I may well be wrong. That said i find most companies - ie Koetsu, Naim, Lavardin, Krell, Linn, Rega - all have a certain house sound, and it was in pursuance of this I made my post. I will add that I liked the sound of the Lyra's I had otherwise I would not have bought them for so much! What i wanted to convey to the original poster was that he is comparing two very different cartridges IMHO (and experience) which is going to leave several potential conflicts - ie if you were to compare products occupying a similar space in the market place it is a fairer comparison. I hope I did not offence, because I was simply seeking to be erudite without having to elaborate like I have done here |
Lohanimal, could you elaborate on: "he is comparing two very different cartridges IMHO (and experience) which is going to leave several potential conflicts - ie if you were to compare products occupying a similar space in the market place it is a fairer comparison"? How do the cartridges differ? The descriptors I've read of both cartridges, as far as what they excel at, seems similar. I'd like to know more. |
I like the TSD 15 on the NOS EMT 948 in my room. but I'd say it's only 'pretty good', not outstanding. I have not directly compared to a Lyra Delos, but from my experience listening to the Lyra Delos I would prefer it to what I hear from the TSD 15. to be fair, the EMT tonearm on the EMT 948 is likely a limitation to both the TSD 15 and the EMT 948. I'd love to install the Durand Kairos on the EMT 948 at some point to see just what that package is capable of. |
The myth is that all EMT T(X)DS 15 are the same. This is not
true because the new suspension and stylus are designed
meanwhile. The stylus is designed for the records (vinyl)
not for the material for cutting the grooves. It is now
called 'fine line'. Gyger II (aka Van den Hul) is abandoned.
Reto Andreoli was the first to criticize Van den Hul stylus
shape as inadequate for the records but only few payd attention.
I own the new 'golden' XSD 15 which tracks much better
(70 microns with 2,5 g) and sounds much better then
LZI or Shiraz ( Roksan version of the 'old' EMT with Gyger II ).
EMT wants obviously to keep the old myth a life. |
I'm also considering the Lyra Kleos. Curious to hear from those who have heard the Kleos, the Delos, and the EMT TSD 15. |
When you prefer a dull sound, slow and anemic, because you need a compensation for a shrill sounding System, the EMT is a good choice. When you want to spend some money but have no idea for what, check out the Kleos. When you want a killer cartridge with a wrong price button, the Delos may be your ticket. |
Dear Syntax, I had no idea that I prefer 'dull, slow and
anemic sound'. Thanks for the info. But you have
obviously no idea how the new EMT 'fine line' sounds.
Besides it is a German product , German traitor! |
"When you prefer a dull sound, slow and anemic".
The only conclusion I can draw from this statement is that you've never heard the TSD15 SFL. |
I also agree that a TSD15 SFL does not sound dull or anemic at all, if any thing it is a bit too energetic. |
I have a Einstein Barco TU-3 (EMT) with a SFL tip. I would and have put it up against many multi-thousand dollar cartridges and it always raises above!
A few that do come close are the Kiseki Gold Spot and the Benz LPS. |
