ZYX cartridge looking for advises

At the level that such cartridges like the higher tier ZYX, or any other high quality brands, of course VTA-SRA is going to be important.

And so will proper exacting overhang alignment, azimuth angle, zenith angle. Without any of them properly set, no top notch cartridge is going to give you all it can.

I would say of all the adjustments, SRA might be one you can sort of "wing" and get away with, without driving yourself nuts making micro-adjustments for every single record that gets on the table.

I'm not saying it's not an important adjustment, and yes, by not having the capability of VTA-SRA on the fly, you will lose out to a degree, that certain records just might not be sounding their very best.

I have found with my own Airy 3, that once I had properly set VTA-SRA, it wasn't something that urgently needed addressing per every record that got on my platter. That even though I don't adjust per record, my Airy 3 sounds stellar on virtually all my records. Sure, not every record is going to sound like some Blue Note Re-Issue, but that's usually not the fault of the cartridge, or due to poor-improper set up. The Airy 3 won;t candy coat a miserably mastered recording. It will lay bare what's on the record.

To sum it up, yes, the cartridge will surely benefit from precision set up in all planes, and adjustments. But will the Airy 3 then be a cartridge that will drive you nuts, and sound horrid because you were either too lazy to play with VTA-SRA on a per record basis, or have an arm that does not incorporate VTA on the fly? IMO, no, it is not that hyper sensitive in my experiences.

Now as far as protractor alignments, and in regards to precisely accurate overhang, zenith, and azimuth, yes, these are highly important that they are correct, and as precise as possible IMO.

I would recommend a high quality protractor, and the MintLP Best Tractor comes to mind per any arm-cartridge that's out there if you want to get the very best from it. Mark

Rokokono/All,

Yes, if memory serves me correctly, the ZYX Airy 3 comes strapped in, as well as being screwed to the Base of the Case's Cartridge Bottom Mounting Plate.

The added little Blue Tape "Seatbelt" is no doubt there to safely retain the clip on Clear Acrylic Stylus Guard.

If it is Mehran you are buying the Cartridge from, rest assured that you are dealing with a first rate seller, and the main USA Distributor of the line.

The Cartridge will be brand new, and be assured that Mehran will stand behind you during, and after the sale, if in the event there are any problems. Be comfortable knowing that you are dealing with the best.

As a safeguard, be sure to leave that Stylus Guard on through the entire Mounting process. Once you have it mounted, are certain that all Cartridge Clip Leads are correctly in their right places, and the Cartridge is fairly snugged, and positioned-centrated on the Headshell, then at that point you can remove the Stylus Guard for Cartridge Alignment with a good Protractor.

Firstly, to make you aware, I'm a ZYX Airy 3X SB Zn owner.

Yep, I bought mine from Mehran about 3 years ago.

I know VTA on the fly is a very nice feature to have on an Arm. Is it absolutely paramount that the arm has this feature, that the Airy 3 will not produce suitable-accecptable sound. IMO, no.

It is true with any good cartridge though, the better the Arm, the better the cartridge can perform. I think you will find that compatible mass between arm-cartridge, and proper VTF will be more critical with this cartridge, to attain its best sound.

Do not sweat wondering, or worrying about somehow getting some used, or demo gear from Mehran, it just isn't going to happen. You can trust this cartridge will be a factory fresh, untouched example from the factory's hands, to yours.

Typically from Mehran, the ZYX will come in a Silk Drawstring Bag. Inside this Bag will be the ZYX Box, and within this Box is a Wooden Box-Tomb, with a Clear Lexan Lid that is taped shut-secured on two sides by ZYX Factory Blue Tape. This tape must be peeled away before the entire Cartridge retaining assembly can be lifted out of the Wooden Box. The owner's manual-paperwork will be packed seperately, as it's too large to place in the Box.

The Retaining Assembly that lifts out has four support beams, and the Cartridge is affixed-secured to the Bottom Plate of this Assembly. It is there you will note the little blue Seatbelt that helps retain the Cartridge, and it's Clip On Stylus Guard. You must first go to the underside of this Bottom Plate to peel the little "Seatbelt" away from the Stylus Guard (which is facing up inside the box)

Leave the Stylus Guard on during the entire removal from case process. Then you can remove the two retaining Screws that hold the Cartridge to the Bottom Retaining Plate while you hold the Cartridge Body between your fingers.

It will also be wise to leave the Stylus Guard on during the entire mounting process. Only when you are ready to do the alignment with this Cartridge with a proteactor, set VTA, VTF, Azimuth, Zenith Angle, should you then remove the Stylus Guard. It is a very nice touch that this acessory comes with, as there are so many MC Cartridges that do not have this feature.

If you are opting for the SB option, which designates the pure "Silver Base", you will note that the Silver Base will look relatively pristine, without tarnish. In time though, once it is exposed to air, the Base, because it is a pure silver plate will begin to tarnish. This is the nature of the material. It cannot be helped.

I strongly doubt that you'll have any small doubts about it not being a factory fresh model. Mehran has a highly regarded reputation as a fist class audio dealer, he's one of the best out there.

You will smile when you see this cartridge, it looks like a little glass jewel. Very beautifully made. And you are really going to smile when you hear the sound that comes forth from such an exceptional, stunning cartridge.

I'm very glad I bought mine, it is truly an awesome piece of equipment! Mark