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Top phono cartrige to match jfrech's system ...

Please click on my system link first. I'm looking for a cartrige to upgrade from my Helikon. Also, I'm going on a buisness trip to Japan soon. I'm hoping I can buy something over there just a little cheaper-but this is not a requirement.

My system weaknesses are, just a little cool in the midrange, just a little hot on the top end and images could be a little rounder. Strengths are excellent detail, excellent bass definition, very quiet, transparent etc. I'm using Amperex 7308's in the phono stage. Telefunkens sound better...but are noisier. Bad trade off I think.

The only other possible upgrade is to a Aesthetix Rhea or Io. Maybe even the depth charge cap upgrade on my P10SE. My BAT Phono is great with outputs around .5mv...anything much lower and I'll have to use the transformers. Which I think cut down on quality some vs going direct to the input tubes.

My thoughts, and I wish I could audition these in my system, but I doubt I can...

Lyra Titan
Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum
Dynavector XV-1 or XV-1s

Any others? Any comments on why I'll like/dislike the above? Thanks for your help !
128x128jfrech
bryceeboy
115 posts
 
Hi Jfrech,
Do yourself a favor and listen to Cartridge MAn Music Maker. You'll be able to drive it direct w/o a phono stage and it will fit your descriptions above while coplementing the weaknesses. A real sleeper of a cart IMHO.
Rusty
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
The Cartridge Man Music Maker is a very high compliance MM cartridge - I think that it is >20um/mN - thus it will be a poor match for Jfrech's SME arm, which appears to be a medium-heavy tonearm.
Similar reasoning for all Van den Hul cartridges.

Maybe 3 others that could make your list are:-
Jan Allaerts MC1 or MC1 Boron MkII
Miyabi 47
Kondo IO-j
oanhu
24 posts
 
I had SME 20/2 with SME V tonearm. I just replaced Colibri XCM for the Benz LP. This cartridge is matched for SME V. I am very happy with the current set-up.
topoxforddoc's avatar
topoxforddoc
353 posts
 
Try the Allaerts - MC1B GBP 1300 to the Formula 2 about GBP3000. I have a MC1B on a Platine Verdier and Schoreder Model 2.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,862 posts
 
Dear friend: All these 3 phono cartridges are great ones ( I own all these ). You can choose any one. I think that you have to change your preamp ( it has not enough gain ). The best you can do for your music reproduction is to buy a preamp with a built in high gain phono stage ( with out step up transformer inside it ).
Regards.
Raul.
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