Ortofon/Dynavector ? cartridge characteristics

What phono stage?

I'll see your dealer and EE, and raise you a master's degree. :-)

Dynavector dealer disclaimer upfront.

Glai blew through the budget so this discussion is moot. :-)

But I'm not sure if I would recommend dyna to Dr_John, based on Shindo and the type of music he listens to. I find the suggestions in the OPs original post interesting. Folks are recommending a cart that is vivid and dynamic to match with the Shindo. I have no experience with Shindo and I certainly don't know what Dr John's sonic preferences are, but this sounds like tone control advice to me. Kind of like what people say when discussing cabling. "Well, components X and Y are very bright so you need to use a warm sounding cable to tame the brightness."

AND! What the hell is Dr John doing listening to opera and chamber music?!? Sorry, I'm more familiar with another Dr John. ;-)

Oh, there's no problem with the XV-1s on the Triplanar, the combination works very well. Very well indeed. I've used it for close to 4 years and know folks who have used it even longer.

The A90 was a very good cartridge for money, but as Raquel points out, they don't make them anymore. It does have a clean, clear sound, but I am partial to the XV-1s as I have found it's character more to my liking on a wider selection of music. However, the A90s I have heard have not committed any sins to my ears. Interesting stylus shape as well. Reminds me of Jurassic Park.

Soundsmith's Strain Gauge seems to get opinions all over the map. I have never heard it so I'll just strongly suggest anyone interested to have a good, hard listen first. Also, it requires the use of the specially made preamp. So the $5500 is for the entry level strain gauge cart/preamp system. Peter is one of the nicest people and his retipping service is excellent so have no second thoughts about what kind of person you would deal with.

So, after all of my babbling I'm not going to recommend anything specific for the good Dr. I have friends who listen to very similar music, opera, chamber music, etc. It is wonderful music but not where my interest and experiences are. Based on what I have learned about what traits these folk value I would have suggested a ZYX Universe back before ZYX changed their world. I have no experience with the newer ZYX at all.

XV1 is too heavy for the TriPlanar and gets ragged up top

LOL! Some one either depends too much on resonant frequency numbers, doesn't know how to set this combination up with proper selection of the supplied counterweights, or there is another issue in their system.

Best of luck in your search.

P.S. I have no commercial interest in Wheaton.

Not in my sytem, Mark. I certainly can understand some preferring the A90, or any other cart, to the XV-1s. Sorry, it isn't the combination of the TP and XV-1s causing stridency issues.

Mark, I apologize. You certainly did. My frustration got the better of me.

Seriously, though. I get around 10Hz by the calculation. 11g effective weight, compliance of 10, mass of 12.6g. However, I find it more interesting to actually listen to the combination when it gets to this level of performance with tonearms and cartridges.

Remember, I didn't recommend the xv-1s to you and I still don't. It seems to me you would be happier with Lyra, for instance, for the type of music you like.

That's right! The new LCR. Another Talea owner nearby is supposed to be getting the demo unit sometime in the future. He also owns the A90, so he and I will be looking forward to what you learn.