Second Cartridge With Transfiguration Phoenix

Dear Number95: I have first hand experiences ( in my system. ) with almost all the cartridges you named here and named by the other gentlemans but the Universe 2 ( I herad other Universe and ZYX models. ), Azule Platinum and the Terry9 Koetsu ( mine is Platinum too but I think has not the diamond cantilever. ).

I think that all cartridges named here are in many ways top performers, no one of those cartridges is perfect all has trade-offs and in all cases its quality performance depends mainly on the other links that surround it in the system chain especially tonearm and phonolinepreamp.

I own the Phoenix and in the past I owned two Temper's and I heard the Orpheus ( I forgot, I never heard the Proteus. ) and I understand what you mean on what you like:

++++ " My listening preferences are neutral, organic sound with a deep and wide soundstage, I do not prefer a specific bandwith dominating the test, I like details without sacrificing musicality ... " +++++

well, neutral ( between other things ) means that has a well balanced tone and that the musicality or not as that wide soundstage ( that depends of system/room interactions. ) and that " organic " sound depends not of the neutral cartridge but what is in the recording and how accurate is that neutral cartridge.

The Phoenix is very good performer and maybe better that what you experienced in non-unipivots tonearms. I'm not saying that in an unipivot tonearm it performs wrong ( because not ) but that in other tonearm type performs a little better.

The Ortofon PW is really good and with very good tracking abilities that almost all the other names here has not and this sole characteristics makes a difference for the better ( lower distortions elsewhere and more music information. ) especially in an unipivot tonearm design. Lower compliance cartridges put to high demands at the pivot where " all " is concentrated at one point and tend to vibrate in excess against non-unipivot tonearms that tame in better way those low compliance cartridge ridding effects and its feedback that degrade the cartridge signal.

Graham is a very good tonearm and the cartridge you will select for will performs good but IMHO the subject could be: which will perform best in the Phantom II because seems to me that you already decided? ( btw, did you think in a diffrent tonearm option just to mix.? ). My advise is that everything the same try to look for the cartridge with better tracking abilities, you can ask your dealer or trough the cartridges site.

Example: http://www.ortofon.com/products/cartridges/moving-coil/mc-windfeld/mc-windfeld-technical-specifications-

here you can read that 100um figure on traking ability, this is what you need to look for. Believe me that parameter makes a difference for the better or worse.

At the end this is only an opinion but what really matters is your opinion because you will be the person that must leave with the cartridge you decided for.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Number95: You are right, with less different audio items/devices cartridge comparisons are not only more easy but reliable.

The Anna has lower compliance and different design but you can get the A-90 that is really good and in the tracking ability regards shares same 100um.

Right now I'm testing listening to my Lyra Kleos that fater some " hard days " finally " settle down " and what I'm listening is nothing less than first rate quality performance.

I own or owned and listened all the Lyra cartridges ( Akiva included that was made by Lyra for Linn. Truly great. ) since the Envolve 99 ( I think? ) but the Delos and Atlas.

Now, that I'm really enjoying the Kleos, I can tell you that is a better performer even than the Titan i or the Olympos.
The Kleos is not a simple upgraded design but I understand a new cartridge design and I can attest why.

This humble price cartridge can compete and even outperform some of those " big cats " named here. Even that's not the best tracker out there the Kleos design is so good that through the listening session you almost forget that. I only can or I have to say " can't " imagine how the Kleos could performs with better tracking abilities.

The Kleos is a winner and if I were you I put my eyes and ears with. Yes, I like it.

I know that you want to have a mix on your cartridges " kind " of performsnce and maybe you can think too in the MM alternative and especially the Audio technica AT150ANV ( you can get from Lpgear.com . No, I don't have any relationship with. ), this mis the today top of the line and a very special design that when you hear it you can't say if it's a MM or LOMC performer and you can buy it for less than 1k.

Yes, you can think that a so low price cartridge can't perform s at the same level of a 5K-8K cartridge but I can tell you it can. Even you could have as a spare cartridge.

Not all but the very top MM/MI cartridges ( vintage or today ) are a competitive alternative. I remember that a gentleman whom owns the Atlas he owns too the vintage MM Technics EPC100CMK4 and posted that in many ways he prefered to the Atlas. Of course that this comment is not on anyway detriment for the Atlas but a compliment for the MM cartridge alternative.

Well, the ball is in your hands you just need to play with. Good luck.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Number95: Tonearm internal wire and IC phono cable are critical between other things because there must pass a very low level/output signal that is very sensitive and prone to be contaminated. We need here not only very good wire conductors but well shielded and with low impedance/capacitance/inductance trying to preserve the cartridge signal integrity. Of course that we are looking here for neutral/accuarte conductors.

Each one of us have their preferences that's what we are using. Normally what we have we have it because through comparisons is the one that performs with accuracy and neutrality. We don't want a colored wire/cable down there.

As some other persons I tested several cables ( never the IC70 ) and I ended with the Silver Oval by Analysis Plus that's achieve those characteristic name it here. The cable is a combination of silver/cooper. I'm satisfied with.

Could be that due that all your system is wired by Transparent one the MM2 can be a " natural " option. Of course that the best way to decide is to listen it.
The Cable Company has a 30 days time to test cables and if you are not satisfied with they return your money but maybe whom you bought your Transparent ones can do the same.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R

Dear Number95: ++++ " I will order second Graham with IC-70 phono cable to compare all of the cartridges equally. " +++++

just an additional thought: what if for example you test the Transparent MM2 and outperforms ( with the same cartridge ) the IC 70? is it not a better alternative and in some ways what you are looking for when asked about?
Yes, if that happen you need to invest not in one IC but two IC cables and this means a higher investment.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.