Class "A" phono cartridge discussion.

Just to spice up this discussion, I am going to disagree with Raul on the Benz LPS.  I have an extensive experience listening to it on my neighbor's system, and I am quite familiar with the sound of his system using other cartridges over a period of several years.  I find the Benz LPS to be very "meh".  Compared to it, for example, the ZYX UNIverse, the first version, kicked butt on his system.  He has two LPSs and offered to sell me one for a very reasonable cost; I declined.  Benz LPS is not in my own private A category.  In fact, why not a ZYX UNI on the A list?  And for sure would one not have to include the Lyra Olympos or at least one of the top line Lyra's?  I also am and have been very fond of the better Transfiguration cartridges; very neutral without losing the excitement of music.  I know Raul likes them too.  We could have a separate A list for MM cartridges with MI types lumped in.

And I have a question for Raul:  Do you like the Ortofon Windfield better than the top line Ortofons that came before and after it?  Ortofon makes and has made some very fine cartridges, but it is not my impression that progress over time is linear in the upward direction.  Or are you just pointing out some "good" cartridges that are currently up for sale here on Audiogon?

rauliruegas, I have two turntables. Both of them are Origin Live. Both are Encounter arms MK2. Just thinking about my next project. When and if I get something else is undetermined. Sometime in the next year probably.

When I do have my EMT retipped it will probably be with EMT because I like it for many reasons. One big reason is with a conical stylus more of my LP's sound good. I thought you needed a fineline stylus to really trace the grooves. But the EMT is so fast with a conical. The drawback is the life is shorter. Probably less than half of the life of a fineline. I have always had problems with some records not sounding good with a particular cartridge. Mostly due to VTA.

The balance of the sound of the EMT is neutral to warm. It has been compared to a 103. I would agree but it is much faster than a 103. I have been down the 103 modified route. I'm not that interested in going there unless I find a deal I can't pass up. You can clean up the 103 a lot. But it will never get any faster.

I do like the ZYX and Dynavector sounds also. But the prices for the "class A" stuff is prohibitive. I have a Clearaudio Concept MC that I like also. But the Clearaudio prices soar upward so fast My nose starts to bleed.

I guess I'm a middle class guy who wants to hear class A stuff. I have DIYed most of my stuff into class A. Not much I can do with phono cartridges. The thought has crossed my mind to get a microscope and learn how to work on cartridges.    

Also I am very weary of buying any more used cartridges. I have had several used cartridge issues. I will not buy a used one again unless I really trust the seller or I get it at such a low price, it doesn't matter if it needs some work. For example I traded a Delos with about 300 hours and in very good condition for my TSD15. I paid to have both cartridges inspected. I was given the OK but I found the suspension of the EMT had a problem. It turned into a big issue for everyone involved. In the end I decided to keep it because it still plays OK and I like it. But it will need to be retipped sooner or later.

The problem with having EMT do the re-tip or any repair, is that you would also get their suspension.  That is the weak point in the EMT's design.  I believe it is Dom at Northwest Analog that has a 'long life' replacement suspension for the EMT's.  I've had the suspension replaced on mine twice by EMT.  It will be going else where next time.
Regards,

Dear lewm: I know very well the first version Universe quality performance and  that ZYx model had a notorious " problem "  in the high frequency range: to much hi-fi that gave it a false feeling of openess that in reality was a kind of distortion.

Benz Micro is a diferent cartridge performer. I use and used BM cartridges for several years since appeared the first Ruby model, then the Ruby 2, then the LP and I tested in my system the Ruby 3 and LP-S. 
BM is a performer that puts no music drama on its own other that the LP recorded music natural drama. Way diferent to the ZYX and I'm not saying that the Universe is not a top cartridge because it's but diferent. 
I prefer the BM quality performance.

Now, the Talea is an unipivot design and with wood arm wand and maybe to much wood down there with the LP-S mounted on it. The other side is that we have to have a real accurate audio system to appreciate the very good quality performance of those BM cartridges.

In the side of the tonearms that owns siranthony I think could be a better match than the Talea.

About the Windfield I can say that outperforms ( small margin. ) the 7500 and diferent from the A90. IMHO any one can buy that ortofon W. and certainly can't be/go wrong but as always with cartridge quality performance: system dependent, where in that " system " the system owner music/sound priorities and his system set up are critical.

I know I can live with the LP-S or the Windfield.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.