that does not answer my question,i will try to give you a better idea of what i am using if that will help.i have krell kma 100 mk11 mono amps and ksp-7-b pre amp, turntable is audio advisor vpi with rega arm and blue point special cartridge.speakers are martin logan request and wires are mit 350 cvt and 750 cvt and power chords.i do not believe this needle is the right set up,i have tried loosening the arm slightly ,because this is recommended by other forums and it did help.take the dead sound away,but i bet there is a nicer needle for this system.where i live there is no knowledge of turntables like other states,where you can go in a store an actually hear before you buy.please do not tell me how wrong everything i own is,i would like to find out if the cartridge is the problem or is it something simple that guidance can cure.the phono stage is adjustable by means of toggles inside but still the sound is lacking/or can i say not natural. compared to what i heard at c.e.s. at alexis park,on some of their systems .