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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
 
Raul, higher investments don't seem to be a problem for Number95! ;-)

Well yes and no. Yes I can afford buying a second tonearm, two more cartridges as well as a more expensive phono cable. But, I want to be sure I am not wasting my hard earned cash for nothing or garbage. As you can realize, I have not bought any cartridges since 2008 (Orpheus) and currently use Phoenix (bought in 2007), so I am not kind of a guy who continiously swapping gear for sake of change.

I plan to keep the new cartridge(s) as a long term investment. Hope this does not be a famous last words story ;-)
number95 OP
44 posts
 
Update: I bought Dr Feikhert protractor as well as its Adjust+ software and realigned Orpheus, this time it has performed much better (way above Phonenix) so Phoenix became the back up cartridge. Then came Transparent Ref MM phono (din to rca) cable which did a big improvement over Graham IC-70, the difference is almost night and day. I also bought Miyajima Kansui as second cartridge and wait for second Graham Phantom to be delivered (pity I will need a second Transparent Ref MM phono with that). Funny it is, I ordered Kansui without even hearing one, then had a chance to listen to it at a friend's setup (also compared that to Phasemation PP1000) and really liked it.
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Number95- I owned the Shilabi and it performed very nicely on a higher mass arm. It was not so great on Basis Vector, but exceptional on a friends Tomas Schick arm. Please share your impressions of the Phasemation cartridge.
I have heard a good report, but only from one person. Cheers -Don
number95 OP
44 posts
 
Hi Don,

I hope Kansui (a bit higher compliance vs Shilabe) goes well with Graham.

I listened to Kansui with Kuzma 4p tonearm and Clearaudio (dont exactly remember the model perhaps Innovation), it was marvellous. I also listened to PP1000 with Clearaudio Linear Tracking tonearm (either tt2 or tt3). So I can not directly compare both cartridges since tonearms are different. Having said, Kuzma+Kansui was more musical, the soundstage and focusing more precise to my ears while PP1000+Clearaudio more on the analytical side, more detail, a bit aggressive on highs while Kansui+Kuzma's highs texture was better. The mids, no question, Kansui side clearly outperformed. Both cartridges with their tonearms had good bass definition. If I did not order Kansui before that listening test, I would order without any hesitation afterwards. By the way, my friend who owns them likes them almost equally, so my feedback is just one man information.
laza
8 posts
 
Number95, what would be the sound difference between Kansui and Phasemation PP-1000?
Thx
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