ZYX cartridges

I don't think you guys appreciate Redtop's great sense of humor. Very funny, RT.

I was hoping for some descriptions of the many different variants of the Airy 2 and Airy 3, why they are different, how the structural differences effect sonics, etc, how the Atmos compares sonically to the Universe, etc. But many thanks for the input that I did get on the meaning of the "X" and "SB" acronyms and the related alternatives. I will try to find more on Sorasound, but if anyone else has a cogent comment, please fire away.

Redtop, I now see your problem. You have been listening to "ZXY" cartridges and comparing them to the Shure V15. Everyone knows that those ZXY products are not so good. Here we are talking about the ZYX product line, any of which should blow away a V15 on any kind of music, as long as the associated electronics are capable of dealing with the lower voltage signal from a ZYX. I'm joshing with you, of course, but herein may lie the reason why "this guy" and/or your brother have gotten the impression that the Shure is better. The ZYX low output moving coil cartridges deserve high quality phono electronics and excelent speakers in order to realize their potential. If we knew the preamp, amp and speakers that were used in that comparison, it might tell the tale.

Thanks, Doug, for your usual thorough and knowledgeable comment. It was your praise of the Triplanar cum UNIverse that got me started thinking about ZYX, since I use a Triplanar, too. From what I've read at the Sorasound site and above, it would appear that I would be happiest with an Atmos or UNIverse. I'm also attracted to the Airtight PC1, Dynavector DV1s (or Tae Kaitora or 17D3), Transig Orpheus, Lyra Titan. In the end, it's a bit of a crapshoot once you get into the high end of cartridges. (I have other tonearms that might accomodate some of these other cartridges.)

Dear Sirspeedy, Why not just enjoy the fabulous cartridge you already own? Just because there is a "newer" version does not necessarily mean it's a better version. Did Piedpiper say it was lower in output? That makes it all the more problematic for your preamp. These little tweaks on existing products are generally marketed in an effort to increase sales. But I'm sure you know all that. I am subject to the same temptations. Resist!

thanks, Raul. But I have searched the internet on several occasions for the MMs that you have found to be so excellent, and I have yet to find any of them for sale anywhere. If you can help me find one, I'd give it a listen. I do indeed have an MP1, but mine is heavily modified (by me), so I don't know how it compares to a current production model. As I mentioned to you privately, the phono input stage consists of a cascode built with an MAT02 NPN transistor on the bottom and now an ECC99 on top. Thus I have more gain than a standard MP1 phono stage, almost too much for an MM cartridge, but there are ways to reduce the gain if necessary.

I gotta say that "back in the day" I heard many a B&O cartridge and was underwhelmed, tho I'm not certain that I ever have heard the specific model that Raul mentions. The ones I did hear cast a flattering sheen on the sound and made everything sound the same. But I certainly did not have top quality gear in those days. Still, I preferred may other cartridges to the B&Os, including Decca, Grado, ADC, to name a few. I never was crazy about the Shure V15, either.