Time for a new cartridge

Dear @mswale,

I don’t know what the cartridge system (i.e. cartridge plus power source for the condenser mikes), goes for in the US. You might want to contact the importer. While in Japan, Sawada-san sold me his personal unit from his turntable for ¥500,000 ($3,343). I guess, it would be about $5,000 stateside.

How has it been working for me? Well, after first installation, I noticed pretty pronounced "rumble" leaving my subs (Linkwitz 521.4 actives) "pumping". I had my old and trusted KAB "Great Sounds Escorts" in-line rumble filter at hand, and after installing it between the MEMS power base and my preamp, the "rumbling" completely disappeared, yet leaving me with profound, well-delineated and extra-dry bass, the way I like it (I hate "boom"). Otherwise the cartridge has been amazing, especially in the treble, where it is crystal clear without the slightest "screeching". Until then I used the new ART-1000 cartridge from AT, because I always wanted to listen to a Neumann design, where the coil is mounted directly above the stylus, eliminating any potential distortions from the cantilever movement (cf.: https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-157-0). That cartridge was really convincing in its "punch" and vividness, making me sell my beloved Benz Micro LPS-Ebony. I have not yet made a direct comparison between the MEMS and the ART-1000: this will happen when the new head shell for my ViV tonearm arrives next week (btw: best tonearm ever!). For now, at least to my ears, the MEMS sounds completely "absent" from the music, and yet produces a wide-open sound stage, while the ART-1000 - also with huge soundstage - seems to add some sparkle and "oomph". As a scientist, I prefer the un-altered presentation of the MEMS.

Dear @rauliruegas ,

Thanks for your detailed, albeit somewhat technical, comment.

Yes, I saw the frequency response of the MEMS cartridge on the website, and also as an attachment of a personal eMail from Sawada-san. That mail came as response to my question about the ubiquitous RIAA equalization before the master pressing. As you reasoned correctly, Sawada-san pointed out the amplitude transduction vs. the usual velocity/voltage mechanism, which will still produce accurate bass no matter what RIAA equilibration had been used after the recording. But you also argued correctly that there is indeed increasing instability below 20 Hz (as the frequency response clearly shows). As I pointed out above in my response to @mswale, in my case this manifested itself in strong rumble-pumping of my subs. Yet, after installing the phenomenal KAB rumble filter before my preamp, my bass is now super accurate, and dry, even with the organ-fff of Bach's Toccata from the incredible new soundtrack of Walt Disney's "Fantasia" (which makes my whole room and my chest vibrate with the MEMS in place, btw.). So, yes, you are correct that there might be some correction needed, depending on your other components. Interestingly, though: at Sawada-san's home there was no rumble filter: he had his Esoteric TT standing on a solid block of concrete and used high-sensitivity ancient horn speakers ("Voice of the Theatre") plus a Corona plasma tweeter both fed from an Accuphase integrated. To my ears, though, his system sounded "vintage" in the mid-range, if you know what I mean. I much more prefer what I have here at my house (the Corona, however, was amazing!!!)..

For what it’s worth I use a soundsmith paua and also have the musical fidelity nu vista vinyl pre and they sing.

I have tried almost every good cartridge in $5000 price and I prefer the EMT HSD 006. For just about $2000, it is an insane value and kicks ass of many top dollar carts. Huge dynamic range, flat neutral sound with just the right amount of warmth we expect analog to carry. Resolution is world class. Personally I used the EMT JSD Black which costs $3500. But even the HSD 006 gets 90% of JSD. I wont worry if I had the HSD instead of JSD. I am not sure why this cart doesn’t come up in discussions here

I have a Benz H2.0 that I will be putting up for sale.
It’s been refurbished and retipped by VDH and has had little to no use since. 
 

I'm also thinking of selling a Koetsu rosewood signature. 
 

Contact me directly if you think these might work for you.