Cartridge upgrade for SME 20/2A???

Dear Esoxhntr: It is similar to any other tonearm DIN pin 5 connector ( well the SME one is angled instead straight like other ones ) but different to other DIN pin5 connectors that are used in electronic devices ( preamp, amps, medical machines, etc, etc. )

regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Ah, so the 90 degree angle is an SME thing is it? By the way Raul, that is a beautiful looking preamp that you've built! (I've been looking at a few of your posts from the last little while :) Would you mind sharing some of your thoughts regarding the Sumiko Celebration cartridge - I think you mentioned it in one of your other posts?

Thanks,

George

Just to update for those that are interested, I replaced the Van Den Hul interconnect with an Audioquest Jaguar - a subtle but nice improvement, still not quite the level of resolution I am looking for. I'm going to spend a little time making sure that the arm/cartridge setup is optimal, then I will have a listen to a couple more phono stages. Stubbornly, I still think a new cartridge is a priority, but it is also the hardest to audition, so I'll keep an open mind on the phono pre. Any recommendations you guys have will certainly be appreciated.

In the end, I will likely stick with a dynavector cartridge of some type, since I like the overall dynavector sound, but I will listen to as many of the recommended cartridges as I can dig up.

Esoxhntr, you have a very nice system. I have a 20/2 with a Graham Phantom and a Dynavector XV-1S, which I love very much. I started with a Cardas Golden Cross phono cable into my Ayre K-1xe phono stage, then moved up to a Purist Aqueous Anniversary, which is still breaking in but delivering a lot more of the music with much better dynamics and soundstaging already. I also acquired an Aesthetix Io Signature (I was advised to stay away from the Rhea) which I found to be a huge step up from the Ayre phono stage (which has been praised in magazine reviews and here on the 'Gon). While my recent experience with different products is limited as you can see and I clearly do not have the expertise that others on this thread bring to the table (some of whom have helped me very much over the past year), what it has demonstrated to me is the extraordinary difference cables and phono stage can make.

Doug Deacon and Kevin Tellekamp convinced me to spend the money to get a Loricraft, which I did with great misgivings. However, I can now say that none of my other purchases in the past 18 months has been more valuable to listening to LPs than the Loricraft.

Good listening,

Ed

Cipherjuris,
I know this is off topic, but as the thread is starting to discuss improvements to an analog front end, could you please elaborate about how exactly the Loricraft improved your sound? I currently use a VPI 16.5 and though it is loud, it does clean the record. I guess the point is that everything from the cleaning thru to the interconnects leaving the phonostage should be thought of as a "system".