Dear KrellDog
I have the Q black mounted on my prime also. I am using the AQvox phono stage (fully balanced), set the loading to 100k, with the old Fav BAT VK5 and BAT VK 60 pre power. I found the best setting at 2.35gr.
The sound is always enjoyable, it is very liquid, FAST, sweet and dynamic.
To what I feel, the Q Black is very BOLD and FAST. It punches right at the bottom and fast in the highs and mids. If you listen to Jazz and RnB or some Ballads, I think you would love it. I found rythmic music is presented better than those of mellow ones.
Piano, Flute/ Sax and Guitars (Peterson, Spyro Gyra and Joe Pass and the lot..), or the good old time RnB (George Benson, Lionel richie stuff) are always presented with Beauty and Bloom.
I also listen to old fav country music like Crystal Gayle and Randy Travis and such, they are also fine with The Q Black.
However, when I changed my Vk60 to my beasty SS Vk500, I dont like the presentation at all. It sounds rather dry and not sweet enough for my liking. I am not sure is it because of the phono stage or it is just my taste..
But overal, The Q Black is a wonderfull Cartridge indeed.. it is worth buying for the price..
Good luck friend..
Cheers..
I have the Q black mounted on my prime also. I am using the AQvox phono stage (fully balanced), set the loading to 100k, with the old Fav BAT VK5 and BAT VK 60 pre power. I found the best setting at 2.35gr.
The sound is always enjoyable, it is very liquid, FAST, sweet and dynamic.
To what I feel, the Q Black is very BOLD and FAST. It punches right at the bottom and fast in the highs and mids. If you listen to Jazz and RnB or some Ballads, I think you would love it. I found rythmic music is presented better than those of mellow ones.
Piano, Flute/ Sax and Guitars (Peterson, Spyro Gyra and Joe Pass and the lot..), or the good old time RnB (George Benson, Lionel richie stuff) are always presented with Beauty and Bloom.
I also listen to old fav country music like Crystal Gayle and Randy Travis and such, they are also fine with The Q Black.
However, when I changed my Vk60 to my beasty SS Vk500, I dont like the presentation at all. It sounds rather dry and not sweet enough for my liking. I am not sure is it because of the phono stage or it is just my taste..
But overal, The Q Black is a wonderfull Cartridge indeed.. it is worth buying for the price..
Good luck friend..
Cheers..