vpi classic


First hello everyone ,I've been away awhile .

      I'm interested in upgrading my cartridge a Benz micro mc, my system is a moderate system by gon standard.
VPI classic jmw memorial arm ,Acoustic Zen adagios, Sunfire subs ,Nu Vista integrated, Musical Fidelity phono amp mc or mc with multiple mc settings . Acoustic Zen cables and speaker cables in a  acoustically treated dedicated room (16'x24' x10') .with more digital gear, but  this is my analog section.

      I am willing to spend up to say $1,500 ,but much to many here's discomfort I would spend up to say grand on a used cartridge from a solid gon member . I know so many here swap them like tic tacs . I know the routine of fears with buying used , that said I have made some great scores here. I'm looking for weight compatabilty ,sound and overall performance for the money.

Thank you all
Ray

oleschool

Showing 6 responses by big_greg

@sokogear I bought the MC Two for $500, used. When it arrived, there was no diamond on the cantilever. The seller gave me a full refund and said they didn't want it back.  I sent it off to have it rebuilt. The rebuild was $500. It ended up being one of my better bargains. I do have a small stable of cartridges but they are all mounted on head shells and I use them on my Technics SL 1200 Mark II. The only cartridge I've used on my VPI classic so far is my kiseki blue NS.
I really like the kiseki blue NS on my VPI classic 3. I purchased it from seller Kron here for less than your budget.
@lalitk I have the Hana SL and it's a fine performer, especially given it's price.  The Kiseki digs out more detail and has better bass, but they are not worlds apart. 

I would expect the ML to be better than the SL, but have not heard it.  There are some threads here about it and a review on Analog Planet.  It sounds like a winner.
@oleschool If you search, you can find some background on the Kiseki.  There are quite a few reviews. 

For point of comparison, I also have these cartridges (and a few others) - Van Den Hul MC Two Special, Hana SL, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, and Nagaoka MP-500.

The Kiseki sounds better than all of them by a fair measure - very neutral and detailed, tight deep bass, well controlled treble without any sibilance or added "sweetness", big soundstage and good separation of instruments.  Kron is a great seller and easy to deal with.  I don't remember how long it took to receive my shipment, but I think it was around a week.
Supposedly AJ himself did it. I only say supposedly because it was a different US distributor at the time I had it done and he was a little sketchy.