Tranfiguration Orpheus description

Bc3,

Thanks for your comments. I think to some degree the comments that Doug and I made have been misinterpreted or taken as absolute. Overall, I do not think that the difference between the cartridges was as huge as some may think it was. Therefore, I don't think it is a case of a broken cartridge. I think we just did not spend enough time optimizing the settings, e.g., VTA and VTF and the O was not as fully broken-in as Doug's Orpheus.

As I mentioned in the threads above, I was taken back at how different these cartridges sounded in each other's systems. In my system, it sounds very very good. It has incredible bass (especially at 100 ohms), is very clear, detailed, transparent and dynamic.

Unfortunately, the negatives comments on the O in this thread haven't been taken into proper context and the positives haven't received enough attention and appreciation. As truly incredible as the O sounds in my system, the Universe would have to be out of this world to really top it.

Anyway, the music is pulling me away. I'll try to avoid situations like this going forward.

Andrew

Bc3,

One additional comment that I forgot to add to the previous post is that I have not experienced mistracking in my system like we did at Doug's system. As you mention, the O tracks very well in my system.

Kha,

Thank you for your feedback. Much appreciated.

Andrew

On 9/19 I posted, "I still intend to listen (with my Temper W) to the critical passages Doug identified on the Trio and Sonic Fireworks albums. (I've pulled them out, so that's a start ;--)" OK. So it's been a month. I'm finally listening (with my Temper W, not an Orpheus) to Trio and Sonic Fireworks Vol 1., a print-out of Doug's review in hand.

First, let me say that after re-reading Doug's description of the Orpheus' performance (or lack of it), I would not even put that cartridge in the same league as my Temper W. If my W performed that badly, it would be on its way back to the factory or in the trash! I'm quite comfortable that Doug's at least semi-rational, and not THAT biased, so I have to conclude that something, somewhere! was indeed very WRONG! But I have no idea what. . . .

TRIO:

Dolly, Linda, and Emmy Lou -- count 'em: 1, 2, and 3. All clearly separate entities, even in close harmony. All instruments present, accounted for, and quite articulate. TRIO is actually one of my "go to" records also, because it's so amazingly well engineered. If something in a system is not right, it's immediately obvious. Can't comment on the track skipping, my copy is flat.

SONIC FIREWORKS VOL 1

Bass response (22 cycle pipe organ "flutter") was clean and powerful through the Martin Logan Depth subwoofer. Perfectly damped. No bloom or bloat. Definitely not boomy or smeared.

In the Copeland "Fanfare", the cymbal decay reads right through the bass drum punctuations -- complete transparency. The kettle drum tunings were well rendered.

In short, I'm certain now that the Temper W's performance would have left Doug nothing to fault, at least so far as the specific items he mentioned. In addition the amazing soundstage and top to bottom ease of presentation from this (now second rate?) cartridge just seem to get better and better.

But I'd still like to hear a UNI. Anyone in Arizona?
.

Neil,

Glad you're getting those good results.

Remember that our findings were strictly comparative, an attempt to describe differences, not a statement about absolute performance capabilities. 99% of the cartridges in the world would do worse than an Orpheus or a UNIverse.

Remember also that Andrew's Orpheus was relatively new and we had little time for fine tuning the setup.

Drop in next time you're passing through CT!