Second Cartridge With Transfiguration Phoenix

Dear Number95: You are right, with less different audio items/devices cartridge comparisons are not only more easy but reliable.

The Anna has lower compliance and different design but you can get the A-90 that is really good and in the tracking ability regards shares same 100um.

Right now I'm testing listening to my Lyra Kleos that fater some " hard days " finally " settle down " and what I'm listening is nothing less than first rate quality performance.

I own or owned and listened all the Lyra cartridges ( Akiva included that was made by Lyra for Linn. Truly great. ) since the Envolve 99 ( I think? ) but the Delos and Atlas.

Now, that I'm really enjoying the Kleos, I can tell you that is a better performer even than the Titan i or the Olympos.
The Kleos is not a simple upgraded design but I understand a new cartridge design and I can attest why.

This humble price cartridge can compete and even outperform some of those " big cats " named here. Even that's not the best tracker out there the Kleos design is so good that through the listening session you almost forget that. I only can or I have to say " can't " imagine how the Kleos could performs with better tracking abilities.

The Kleos is a winner and if I were you I put my eyes and ears with. Yes, I like it.

I know that you want to have a mix on your cartridges " kind " of performsnce and maybe you can think too in the MM alternative and especially the Audio technica AT150ANV ( you can get from Lpgear.com . No, I don't have any relationship with. ), this mis the today top of the line and a very special design that when you hear it you can't say if it's a MM or LOMC performer and you can buy it for less than 1k.

Yes, you can think that a so low price cartridge can't perform s at the same level of a 5K-8K cartridge but I can tell you it can. Even you could have as a spare cartridge.

Not all but the very top MM/MI cartridges ( vintage or today ) are a competitive alternative. I remember that a gentleman whom owns the Atlas he owns too the vintage MM Technics EPC100CMK4 and posted that in many ways he prefered to the Atlas. Of course that this comment is not on anyway detriment for the Atlas but a compliment for the MM cartridge alternative.

Well, the ball is in your hands you just need to play with. Good luck.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Thank you Raul. Looks like new candidates on my list (Kleos, Audio Tecnica mm), lots of homework :))

Can you provide some info if you have any on phono cable for Graham? I have not yet decided on the phono cable for second tonearm, the one I have with my current Phantom is Graham's IC-70. Never had a chance to compare it. Rest of the audio chain is all Transparent Ref XL.

Best Regards,

Hakan

Dear Number95: Tonearm internal wire and IC phono cable are critical between other things because there must pass a very low level/output signal that is very sensitive and prone to be contaminated. We need here not only very good wire conductors but well shielded and with low impedance/capacitance/inductance trying to preserve the cartridge signal integrity. Of course that we are looking here for neutral/accuarte conductors.

Each one of us have their preferences that's what we are using. Normally what we have we have it because through comparisons is the one that performs with accuracy and neutrality. We don't want a colored wire/cable down there.

As some other persons I tested several cables ( never the IC70 ) and I ended with the Silver Oval by Analysis Plus that's achieve those characteristic name it here. The cable is a combination of silver/cooper. I'm satisfied with.

Could be that due that all your system is wired by Transparent one the MM2 can be a " natural " option. Of course that the best way to decide is to listen it.
The Cable Company has a 30 days time to test cables and if you are not satisfied with they return your money but maybe whom you bought your Transparent ones can do the same.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R

With both the Orpheus and Phoenix in house, I can agree the Universe II will be a super choice as an alternate cartridge. Spent a few hours with it on two different days at CES on the Kronos - oh my oh my.

I would like to thank to all of you who shared their honest and sincere opinions as well as providing very useful information. Here is the plan for me. I decided to buy two cartridges. I understand Lyra and Zyx are more on the neutral and honest side, so I will consider either Lyra Kleos (or perhaps Atlas) or Zyx Universe II. Good news from my dealer who sells Zyx in Turkey, he said he can bring Universe so it is affordable for me (seems Universe specific model for North America). Apart from that part of spectrum, I will get another cartridge but on the warm side to add a different flavor like Koetsu (stone bodied). I will buy an additional armwand with second Graham and will test all 3 cartridges (including Phoenix). If neutral sounding cartridge (Lyra or Zyx) outperforms Phoenix with a clear margin, then it will be the new reference cartridge for me. If Koetsu or else also shows its virtues as a keeper then it will be the second cartridge. I will order second Graham with IC-70 phono cable to compare all of the cartridges equally. In worst case, you may see a second hand Koetsu for sale in Audiogon :))