My Sonic Lab Platinum v Gold Signature


Has anyone compared them? I’m tempted by the Platinum but a little concerned it might edge into hyper-detail, which is not my happy place. The Gold reputedly has more body, but I’m wondering whether this comes at the expense of hard-won things like nuance and dynamics.

From what I can tell the main, perhaps only, design differences are cantilever and body material. The Platinum features a boron cantilever and titanium body; the Gold sports Duralumin, a form of aluminum, for both. Myself, I’ve never heard an aluminum cantilever that didn’t color or soften the sound somewhat, but then I’ve never heard one on a top flight cartridge like the MSL. Both have a DCR of 1.4 ohm and an output of 0.5mV.

The tonearm is a Graham Phantom Supreme; the phonostage is an Allnic H3000, probably via its 13x SUT. Based on MSL’s recommendation, the ideal load impedance is around 3-400 ohms (surprising for such low DCR), so this ratio should get me pretty close to what either one needs. Turntable is an Artisan Fidelity SP10R. Music is mostly jazz.

I'm especially interested in direct comparisons, but I also welcome experiences with either cartridge, and thoughts on how they might mesh with my arm and 'table.

Thanks in advance.

 

wrm57

@wrm57 If neutrality is a trait that is to seriously considered the Options are to be from a broader Palette. Certain Ortofon Cart's are more than able to perceived as having this trait.

I have been demonstrated Ortofon's and a Sumiko Pearwood in consecutive demo's. The Pearwood has been capable of making a very good impression on quite a few occasions. This Cart' presents in a way I would claim is leaning toward neutral, it is certainly not one with a Rich Tone, even though a Wood Body will suggest a Rich Tone is to be encountered. 

@pindac , yes, I agree about Ortofons. I have a long history with the A90, which I bought upon its release and played so much that Ortofon has rebuilt it for me twice already. It might be on the cold and detailed side of neutral, at least more so than what I’m seeking in my next purchase. The titanium-bodied Verismo is reputedly closer to neutral and would be sorely tempting, as well as a relative bargain (if one can say that with a straight face about a $7K cartridge), except that its electrical characteristics might make it a sub-optimal mate for my phono stage, which is entirely based on SUTs. At 7 ohms DCR with a .2 mV output, it would seem to work with the Allnic’s 26X SUT but the load impedance seen by the cartridge, 70 ohms, is likely to be a bit low. I say this with some confidence because I have an Ortofon SPU Royal GM II with similar electrics at 6 ohms, .2 mV, along with the same Replicant stylus, and I have to run that one through a different phono stage, one that won’t be available for this new purchase, to get it just right. At 26X through the Allnic, I find the top end on the Royal to be closed in, and I suspect the Verismo would be similar. Ortofon seems to like this combination of electrical traits now; the Windfeld Ti is 7ohm/0.2mV, too. The A90 at 4 ohms/0.27mV is ideal into the 20X option, which is one reason I’ve stayed with it for so long. I’m splitting hairs here, of course; but, hey, isn’t that what this hobby is all about? :-)

I appreciate the recommendation of the Sumiko, and looked it up. Unfortunately, I think its combo of 0.5 mV output at 30 ohm DCR could make my Allnic pretty unhappy. I’d have to try it to see.

No, I went for a Lyra Etna Lambda instead. The uncertain length of warranty from MSL (and its importer, MoFi: see the long mijostyn thread), put me off. And I had not used a Lyra since the entry-level Lydian Beta in 2000, so I wanted to see what this top manufacturer is up to these days. After conferring via email with Jonathan Carr, who is remarkably kind and forthcoming, I went with the regular, non-SL version. It’s a fantastic cartridge, easily the most precise and dynamic I had heard to that point, with exceptional speed and detail without sacrificing coherence, body, and musical satisfaction.

Very happy, I had no intention of buying another high-end cartridge. Then my dealer called a month ago with an offer I could not refuse. Ortofon had an MC Diamond they’d used at Axpona for less than 20 hours, perfect condition, available with full warranty for nearly half off MSRP. I jumped on it. It is still breaking in but wow, what a cartridge. I haven’t decided whether it’s better than the Lyra but it is every bit the equal and perhaps even more coherent and tonally rich. But until I can mount them on the same arm and do a direct comparison, I can’t make any valid comparisons. I feel very lucky to have them both.