Ortofon Kontrapunkt C vs. Cadenza Bronze

I have a few experiences behind myself of comparing various types of the Kontrapunk b, these experiences are shared in other threads.

These have been original spec' with a usage life between 300ish - 1000+ Hours. Other models compared have been with a retip and a full rebuild with uprated Ortofon parts and Ogura Beryllium Cantilever with Ogura Vital + Styli.

A Selection of the above have been compared to a Windfeld and the Ortofon Vienna, of which the Vienna is quite a rarity and has been described as the fifth member of the 'bach' family of Cart Models. 

The demo's have all taken place on a set up that has the same Headshell Material, TA>TT and system.

The general shared thoughts as a outcome of comparative demo's has been that a different styli, is not too much of a impact on a sonic. A detail retrieval might be detected as having a difference, and compared to a original styli, the other styli in use, certainly refined the presentation, which is a more attractive experience.

The general shared thought between attendees at a demo' has been that the structure of the Signal Path of the Cart', is seemingly the area responsible for creating the most noticeable change to a Sonic. 

The original K'b to a retipped K'b are very very similar, even though the FGS Tip is a refined experience and worth consideration at the time of a retip, certainly more attractive than a original with a longer usage life. 

The rebuilt K'b jumps out in front and sits very well in the Company of the Windfeld and Vienna.

Aucurum Wire is rosy in tone, when A/B compared to the Vienna and K'b Silver Coil Wire.

There is not many who would give the Windfeld a description as being rich, but in the company of the K'b and Vienna, that is how it comes across.

The Vienna had a FGS and the Windfeld the Replicant, I did not see the Tips being responsible for the differences in sonic being detected.

It might be the Aluminium Armature and Silver Coils on the K'c are the parts that create your X Factor. The Aucurum and Aluminium Armature on the C'br, might not be your attractor.

I would seriously consider the FGS for your Aluminium Armature of the K'c, if the marriage is a compatible one, as a exchange tip on a K'b, it substantially tidied up the presentation over the originals.    

@dogberry My Post prior to this one, expresses my thoughts based on my findings through A/B comparisons of very similar in design Ortofon Cart's, especially Cart's that share elements design, that are the same, even though the timeline for the release of the Carts, does suggest the Models are using varieties of evolving Ortofon Technologies.

As stated " The demo's have all taken place on a set up that has the same Headshell Material, TA >TT and system. "

There were others in attendance whilst comparisons were carried out and not all attendees were the same at each of the comparison demo's.

There was a common thought shared by attendees at the demo's which they had received, which is stated in the following:

" The general shared thoughts as a outcome of comparative demo's has been that a different styli, is not too much of a impact on a sonic. A detail retrieval might be detected as having a difference, and compared to a original styli, the other styli in use, certainly refined the presentation, which is a more attractive experience. "

" The general shared thought between attendees at a demo' has been that the structure of the Signal Path of the Cart', is seemingly the area responsible for creating the most noticeable change to a Sonic. "

With this experience being indelible for myself, and having a good knowledge of the Ortofon Technologies that have created the Cadenza Range of Cart's. I standby the notion I am suggesting, that it is the Coils and other structures in use on the K'c that are the elements that are capable of producing the sonic that is off such an attraction to yourself. 

The extremely Good News is that there is a Service now discovered that can assist with keeping this experience ongoing for yourself, if my Math is correct, and using the 1000 Hours as a predicted life for a Styli, the experience should be had for approx' $00.35 cents per hour of usage.

Note: I have been informed by individuals keen to keep a Kontrapunkt in use, thet there are Third Party Services that are charging a Premium for working on Kontrapunkt Models. The idea behind the premium being the Model of Cart' is one that presents additional challenges.

I am also aware through the same communications as above, that a newly modified Kontrapunkt was needing to be returned to the Third Party Service shortly after it being received by the US based owner with the modifications said to be completed and identified as not being so.  

As long as supplied info comes from a certain source (which is a very small group of advocates of the Kontrapunkt) I believe all the info I receive. The sharing of info, is one to help steer the dedicated owners to valuable supporting services when required.

Your Story,  is now is one that I am quite happy to pass on, especially as Cadenza's are seemingly becoming valued for their 'Trade In' value, and are not typically to be found at a cost to be suitable as a donor model for undergoing a Third Party Service inspection and assessment for refurb/rebuild.

Global Searches over the past year and prior to this have discovered Kontrapunkts for as little as £60, well worth a Punt, if the additional work to return it to a functioning model is to come in at approx' $350.

A friend bought a K'b with a guestimate of 1000 hours usage for a pittance, the intention was to demo' the Cart' and exchange to the PW Windfeld, to make an assessment of the failings of the K'b.

The outcome being, the K'b, was such a enjoyed experience, it was given the opportunity to be kept in use for the whole of the time allocated for the listening experience. The Windfeld was to show off on another occasion vs the K'b.