Raul, higher investments don't seem to be a problem for Number95! ;-)
Well yes and no. Yes I can afford buying a second tonearm, two more cartridges as well as a more expensive phono cable. But, I want to be sure I am not wasting my hard earned cash for nothing or garbage. As you can realize, I have not bought any cartridges since 2008 (Orpheus) and currently use Phoenix (bought in 2007), so I am not kind of a guy who continiously swapping gear for sake of change.
I plan to keep the new cartridge(s) as a long term investment. Hope this does not be a famous last words story ;-) |
Hi Jmgrogan2, I presume the house sound of Proteus in terms of tonality and neutrality would be very similar, while the new flagship should have more of a refinement compared to Phoenix. I did not listen to Proteus but lived with Orpheus for 3-4 years. Although Orpheus was a better cartridge compared to Phoenix, they really shared so much, and I even concluded that Phoenix is slightly more musical while Orpheus is dynamically superior. If I go to Proteus over Phoenix, I would replace it with Phoenix. My aim is using two cartridges so even if I one day upgrade to Proteus, it does not effect my second tonearm/cartridge plan. I do not know exact price for the cartridge you mentioned but presume it is not more expensive than Koetsu Azule, so it is within budget, yes. |
Thank you for sharing your views and experiences Doug. I will read the related reviews for Zyx Universe II. Yes, it is within my budget. Btw, I checked Zyx website and could not find universe, I see 4d and some other lines but not uni. Is that discontinued? |
Thank you guys for knowing me that cartridge. Pity is I am based in Istanbul Turkey, it seems as Jim said, that model is a customized one for American market, I am not quite sure I can get one here. I will ask local Zyx distributor. |
Hi Don,
I hope Kansui (a bit higher compliance vs Shilabe) goes well with Graham.
I listened to Kansui with Kuzma 4p tonearm and Clearaudio (dont exactly remember the model perhaps Innovation), it was marvellous. I also listened to PP1000 with Clearaudio Linear Tracking tonearm (either tt2 or tt3). So I can not directly compare both cartridges since tonearms are different. Having said, Kuzma+Kansui was more musical, the soundstage and focusing more precise to my ears while PP1000+Clearaudio more on the analytical side, more detail, a bit aggressive on highs while Kansui+Kuzma's highs texture was better. The mids, no question, Kansui side clearly outperformed. Both cartridges with their tonearms had good bass definition. If I did not order Kansui before that listening test, I would order without any hesitation afterwards. By the way, my friend who owns them likes them almost equally, so my feedback is just one man information. |
Altanpsx, thank you for your feedback, very strong points to consider, really appreciate. Perhaps, I better start with a different sound to complement rather than upgrading Phoenix and then perhaps the next project is replacing Phoenix later with a similar carridge but improving its virtues more perhaps Transfiguration Proteus or Zyx Universe II.
Can you please tell which Koetsu you are experimenting if any? |
Great to hear Altan, please let us know how your experiment goes.
Have a nice listening,
Hakan |
Hi Raul,
Thank you for your detailed feedback. I have followed you and your answers in Audiogon Forums for a long time, which means I have a big respect for your knowledge and experiences. So I am pleased to get your feedback here.
I may think of some other tonearms but decided to have the same tonearms in order to compares cartridges better (same t/t same tonearm less parameters on cartridge comparisons), also I am very used to Graham, its settings. I also considered if a 12 inch might be the second tonearm but then decided to go with 9 inch. I have read in those forums that Graham is best with 9 inch. I may be wrong on that. A second consideration is IC-70 phono cable as Graham suggests that one and I have it with my current Phantom. I never tried another phono cable, rest of my audio chain (with exception of power cords) is all Transparent XL (mm2) so I wonder if Transparent XL phono vs IC-70 makes a greater synergy with rest of cablings.
I listened to Ortofon PW in an Audio Show in London years ago, I used to like what I heard. I will consider that suggestion as well. That being said, have you tried or listened Anna vs PW? I presume they use same stylus (Nude Ortofon Replicant 100 polished) so I guess their trackings should be similar (which I checked now and interestingly PW having 100 vs Anna's 80).
Regarding Phoenix, I found it more musical over Orpheus (I also have Orpheus and spent 4-5 years with that). After I realigned Graham/Phoenix with Feikhert Universal Protractor (PtS distance was harder for exact measurement due to Phantom's spherical top over pivot anyway that is another story), there has been a remarkable improvement (more relaxed but tonally correct and better upper frequency details etc). So my idea to add another tonearm/cartridge is not due to I am not pleased with Phoenix.
Thank you for your feedback for the issues above. |
Update: I bought Dr Feikhert protractor as well as its Adjust+ software and realigned Orpheus, this time it has performed much better (way above Phonenix) so Phoenix became the back up cartridge. Then came Transparent Ref MM phono (din to rca) cable which did a big improvement over Graham IC-70, the difference is almost night and day. I also bought Miyajima Kansui as second cartridge and wait for second Graham Phantom to be delivered (pity I will need a second Transparent Ref MM phono with that). Funny it is, I ordered Kansui without even hearing one, then had a chance to listen to it at a friend's setup (also compared that to Phasemation PP1000) and really liked it. |
No questıon, you are a good friend Altan ;-) |
Thank you Raul. Looks like new candidates on my list (Kleos, Audio Tecnica mm), lots of homework :))
Can you provide some info if you have any on phono cable for Graham? I have not yet decided on the phono cable for second tonearm, the one I have with my current Phantom is Graham's IC-70. Never had a chance to compare it. Rest of the audio chain is all Transparent Ref XL.
Best Regards,
Hakan |
I would like to thank to all of you who shared their honest and sincere opinions as well as providing very useful information. Here is the plan for me. I decided to buy two cartridges. I understand Lyra and Zyx are more on the neutral and honest side, so I will consider either Lyra Kleos (or perhaps Atlas) or Zyx Universe II. Good news from my dealer who sells Zyx in Turkey, he said he can bring Universe so it is affordable for me (seems Universe specific model for North America). Apart from that part of spectrum, I will get another cartridge but on the warm side to add a different flavor like Koetsu (stone bodied). I will buy an additional armwand with second Graham and will test all 3 cartridges (including Phoenix). If neutral sounding cartridge (Lyra or Zyx) outperforms Phoenix with a clear margin, then it will be the new reference cartridge for me. If Koetsu or else also shows its virtues as a keeper then it will be the second cartridge. I will order second Graham with IC-70 phono cable to compare all of the cartridges equally. In worst case, you may see a second hand Koetsu for sale in Audiogon :)) |
Hi Raul, your logic is undeniable, will get a phono cable from Transparent to test. Many thanks. |
