2. analog
  3. 1264907906

VPI Classic and ZYX Airy 3 X SB...good match?

Hello everybody,

I have decided to purchase a VPI classic with sds, peripheral ring and HRX clamp after collecting many opinions.
Music I like to listen to is prevalent acoustic, vocal, classic music and jazz (NO Rock).
I like neutral sound, precise tracking, no coloration, but still full body/harmonic sound.
I know I am asking for a bit too much perhaps but by reading on the forum and elsewhere the cartridge that would better match all these specs would be the ZYX Airy 3 X with the Silver base option to overcome the light tonearm's issue.
Now it is time to purchase the pick up...but since it is not so cheap I want to make sure I am doing the right thing and that is why I am addressing a new post here hoping to collect some more useful thoughts in this regard.

Thank you very much for your attention.

Best,
Stefano.
stefanoo
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
I am very happy w/my 3XSB on a 12.7 arm & TNT6HR. The SB is required!

The other cart line that should be on your list is Dynavector. Very good matches across the board w/the JMW arms. Cheers,
Spencer
jjmali
108 posts
 
I had an Airy 3 on my scout. It was a great cartridge for sure. I also ran it for a short time on my HRX. It has been a while since I listened, but as I recall the HRX combo is what made me get rid of my digital all together. It is a sweet cartridge that I don't think can be beat at the price.

It is also a great time to get a ZYX. These prices are going to do nothing but go up. I for one was very disappointed in what ZYX pulled with their line up. Making tiny changes and tripling prices in these economic times. Get it, you won't be sorry. If you are you will get most of your money back. Not many new cartridges you can say that about.
stefanoo OP
103 posts
 
Thank you all.

Do you guys use damping fluid on your tonearm?

So Airy 3 is not a pick up for rock music?

Speaking of Dynavector I was told that the XX-2 MKII would be a good match also for the tonearm.
Has anybody ever run any comparison between the XX2 and the Airy 3?
I know the bigger one XV 1s is better but also costs much more and I wouldn't like to spend more thatn $1900 on the pick up.
kclaw88
4 posts
 
If u be getting the sds let VPI know so they will put in a new cap that match the sds. I will also upgrade with the vta on the fly arm.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
So Airy 3 is not a pick up for rock music?
Who said that? If you want to be rocked by whatever's in the grooves, and not by some coloration added by a pick up, I haven't heard anything that rocks better in its price range. I've heard quite a few that rock less, including some that cost many times more.

Paul and I are not frequent rock listeners, but in our experience the Airy 3-X-SB (low output version) is a very good rock cartridge. I'd have said "great" but there are better (Dynavector XV-1S, Transfiguration Orpheus, ZYX Atmos/4D for example, though they all cost ~$1K more).

Even the UNIverse, not widely renowned for rock, can literally tear the house down. But it needs utterly neutral and dynamically unlimited components through an entire system to fully show its stuff. Like some rock stars, it plays its best when surrounded by very expensive toys. ;-)

More to discover