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Second Cartridge With Transfiguration Phoenix

I use Phoenix with Graham Phantom tonearm over Acoustic Solid Royal TT (ARC Ref 2 SE phono stage). I really like what I hear bur decided to get a second cartridge with a second tonearm (will be Graham Phantom II Supreme) on the second tonearm plate with my TT. I am currently considering from a list of Shelter Harmony, Koetsu Onyx or Azule Platinum, Airtight PC-1 Supreme, Ortofon PW. My listening preferences are neutral, organic sound with a deep and wide soundstage, I do not prefer a specific bandwith dominating the test, I like details without sacrificing musicality as one can get why I like Phoenix. Of course one may either find a cartridge having similar sonic clothing with Phoenix while improving its virtues or alternatively can try to find a very different sound as complementing a neutral sounding cartridge like Phoenix, which I am not decided what to do. I will appreciate from current users or ones who have experience with those cartridges and if they were able to listen to some of them with the same setup. Thanks for your help.
number95
altanpsx
70 posts
 
Number95,

i were in the same point with you couple of months before. Our tastes are alike. At the end i had bought lyra titan i(fantastic cartridge), zyx universe ii(more fantastic). i am using them on kuzma 4point. i am very happy with them. Both them are very very neutral. They play life like, and i am not sure my system is enough to show these two cartridges ablities, transfiguration is walking in the same line with these cartridges, more alike, less different. Nowadays, i am toying with the idea, buying koetsu/miyjami/phasemation cartridge. Simply they are different. They are different then my musical preference. But every cartridge is another system, every cartridge Changing the system in another way. So buying a different cartridge means buying a new system. Maybe changing is desirable maybe not.

My point is, if you are looking for a different thing buy koetsu, miyajami/phasemation. But if you are looking for an upgrade both lyra titan i and zyx universe ii even universe i is sure and fantastic way.
number95 OP
44 posts
 
Altanpsx, thank you for your feedback, very strong points to consider, really appreciate. Perhaps, I better start with a different sound to complement rather than upgrading Phoenix and then perhaps the next project is replacing Phoenix later with a similar carridge but improving its virtues more perhaps Transfiguration Proteus or Zyx Universe II.

Can you please tell which Koetsu you are experimenting if any?
altanpsx
70 posts
 
İmho entry level koetsu cartridges like black etc is not what really koetsu. Again imho after rosewood signature you start feel koetsu really, sweet spot rosewood signature platinium. Coral stone is the top of the line which i am going to experiment, one of my friend thinking to sell his.
number95 OP
44 posts
 
Great to hear Altan, please let us know how your experiment goes.

Have a nice listening,

Hakan
altanpsx
70 posts
 
Also you did no ask but Zyx Universe ii is a better cartridge then proteus. If you buy just one cartridge in neutral camp, imho Zyx is the best way to go.
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