Pani, What cartridge(s) did you try after ZYX? |
Pani, Which Lyra are you liking now? The Delos was on my radar as was the Denon 103R. Dnath, I've been looking at both the Hyperion (LT) and Sussuro. Have you compared them to one another? |
Dougdeacon,
I have the same thread going over on AA. It seems that others are getting some of the same pleasures from ZYX but many argue that I'm not likely to find the extra 'soul, emotion, etc.' by moving up the line.
With regard to my observation #4 (the front of the sound stage): One of the goals I have had in designing my system/choosing components is that of erasing the front of the soundstage completely. The ZYX has been a nice step forward in this regard.
I remember the first song I played with it in: a few minutes in I noticed that I was feeling a little anxious -- I reflected on that and the reason was because I was unconsciously worried that 'someone' in the soundfield might bump into me. This sounds like a massive exaggeration but it's simply a matter of fact. I haven't felt like that since but on that first song I did have that weird sensation.
Getting back to one of the themes of my post... that 'someone' that might bump into me is sort of ghost-like. It's not that the images are wispy or airy or less than palpable but its just that I never get a sense that they are actually 'real'.
I came across an old Art Dudely review of an R1000 and where he is pretty much saying the same things I am in terms of both praise and that something is oddly missing. It's odd that I can't (and he can't) nail down exactly what's missing but in my gut, or maybe my heart, I just know that something isn't there that I wish was there. |
It looks like the Atmos/4D may give me just what I'm looking for. Then again, I may just have to run two cartridges if I can't find a single one that 'does it all.' My dealer thinks I should go with a Grado Statement 1 though I think it would be too compliant for my Air Tangent arm. Another 'second' cartridge that has piqued by curiosity is the Miyajima Shilabe. |
Can you say a little about how they compare or are there too many variables to comment on the contribution of just the two cartridges? |
No, no weights. Thank you. |
Pani, I see that you have used the Miyabi 47. I've read good things about it and Miyabi Standard; it's too bad they aren't available anymore. |
I have a airbearing linear tracking arm which works best with low to medium mass cartridges. The mass of the arm in the vertical plane is very very low but the mass in the horizontal plane is high. I've spoken with the designer of the arm and he simply says to use low compliance cartridges of low to medium mass (under 10 grams). |
I haven't tried an Ortofon SPU because they are too heavy for my arm. I need a cartridge that is under 10 grams and I think the lightest SPU (the Royal) is 13 grams. |
Pani, I've been doing some reading on the London Decca Super Gold and it does sound intriguing/exciting. I've also read the reviews that talk about possible problems with the cartridge mistracking, sounding threadbare at times, and being intollerant of dust, dirt, and worn grooves. It sounds like to would make a great second cartridge but that it may not be good choice for an all-round, everyday cartridge. |
Pani, I'm thinking of buying a factory rebuilt super gold with 0 hours on it. It comes with a 1 year warrantee from London Decca. The cost is 500 GBP plus shipping. If it doesn't work well with my Airtangent arm do you think you might be interested in this particular cartridge? |
Audiotomb, thank you for the compliment. If I had the money for a 4D or Uni II I would be very curious. The ZYX really do nothing wrong and I may never find a better cart. Who knows. I keep thinking about Jack(?) Roberts review of the 4D or Atmos where he says wonderful things but it the end he wants more excitement from a cartridge. I find myself in that boat as well. The ZYX sounds great and I respect the heck out of it but I never feel that flesh and blood musicians are in front of me. |
I installed the London Decca Super Gold today and I listened to it for a few hours. It is an extremely dynamic and powerful cartridge. At times it is a little scary just how powerful the music is coming from my system. Everything is more real, more there, and more live than I've ever heard from my system. I was worried about mis-tracking, groove noise, and having to keep my records really clean. As it turns out, none of these things are an issue with this cartridge on my arm. |
Thanks to everyone for their thoughtful replies! |
Pani,
I ended up ordering a new Super Gold with the promise that I can return it for a refund (less 10% restocking fee) if it doesn't work with my arm. I will be sure to share my findings with the group.
I agree that the ZYX does not lack excitement. It may in fact not lack for anything. |
I'm coming to love the ZYX Yatra more and more. I'm not sure if it just a matter of: 1. me getting used to it; 2. me having got the VTA perfectly dialed in 3. the cartridge breaking in. In any case, the London Decca has yet to arrive so I have nothing to report there. I did hear a system in a local shop on the weekend that featured the 47 Labs MC Bee cartridge. The sound of the system was very fine but I can't pretend to really know what the cartridge was contributing to that. The owner of the store is a huge fan of the cartridge. He sells many others (Ortofon, Dynavector, Koetsu, Air Tight, Sumiko, etc.) but I sense that the little MC Bee is his favourite. |
Pani, I use an Airtangent tonearm with the Decca. |