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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
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.
terry9
2,335 posts
 
I have been living with a Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum with diamond cantilever, for six months now. Wonderful.

I was a little apprehensive after hearing and reading that the diamond cantilever "destroyed the Koetsu magic", so I was primed to hear excess brightness. Well, if you don't hear excess brightness on Bach's violin concertos, or Barber's adagio for strings, you won't hear it elsewhere. Especially when electrostatic speakers are your reference.

What the diamond does is eliminate a source of resonance, because the cantilever and stylus are ground from one piece of solid diamond. The sound is uniquely clear and transparent. In my opinion.
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