2. analog
  3. 131751-2693

I have joined in the ZYX Family

Funny how change comes about. I’ve been intending to get a tube preamp for years 10-12 years. Instead, I got a tube amp which sounds great. . Tube amp with SS preamp sounds GREAT. FWIW, the SS Preamp was a Stereophile Class A Conrad Johnson PFR. So, its not like I was shooting in the dark. The PFR is a really good preamp. And the Bob Latino ST-70 seems to be a great fit along with the Silverline Sonatas. So I set out to get my turntable up to its optimum. I have a Teres 340 which has an Origin Live Illustrious 3 with Benz Ebony L cartridge. I put the OL Illustrious on it as a temporary arm. I figured the Teres deserved much better. But Maybe I am wrong. It sounds great. However, being an audiophile, I can’t leave it alone. So I set out to get a new tonearm worthy of the Teres 340. But then someone reminds me that a cartridge will make more difference than a tonearm upgrade, especially since the tonearm is a pretty good one. . So I consider the idea and come across a ZYX 4D for a good price. Thank you Raulirigueus(sp) for the idea. In the process, I saved some $$$ too. I’ve wanted a ZYX for quite some time. NOW, I see what all the fuss is about. This cartridge is fabulous. Next up is to clean the electric. Oneac seems to be a good way to go. But, who knows. My plans often go sideways. But I’ve really made some big steps forward thanks to some good advice and the good Lord above who over rules my ignorance. FWIW I often pity those who miss the beauty of good music. I love it. Thanks for your help along the way.
artemus_5
lewm
13,518 posts
 
Chakster, 2000 hours is a long time. Even if you do pay $2500 for a re-tip after 2000 hours, think of it as about a dollar per hour of enjoyment.  That's cheap fun, compared to theater, movies, live music performances.  My ZYX UNI has about 40 hours on it now, so I have a long way to go.  I don't know what other similarly excellent MC cartridge would cost much less to use, if you assume you will eventually get a factory re-tip.

I don't know how racedoc figures 25g as being ideal, but if it is, then there is plenty of leeway up or down from that number where the resonant frequency would not be appreciably affected. The math tells us this.

At the risk of being pedantic, which this is, the effective mass of the moving parts is equal to the net effective mass of the tonearm, headshell, screws, and cartridge, plus the effect of the counter-weight on the net effective mass, taken together.  The math for that is tricky (I know that I don't know how to solve it, anyway), so most of the time we are just approximating a value based on the given effective mass of the tonearm, if the manufacturer is kind enough to give us that piece of information.
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5 OP
1,992 posts
 
Buying anything without a warranty has risks. Some aren't willing. Some are. Thats why used equipment is sold daily. But not all buy used. My budget required me to buy used. Or owe a lot on credit card, LOC, etc. Everyone has their own set of priorities. I don't take undue risks. But everything in life has its risks. 
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5 OP
1,992 posts
 
Lew. I was shocked at the lack of hours on my Benz. My post above shows how I tracked the time. So, yes, 2000 hrs is quite a long time. I don't play for hours every day. But I listen to my fair share of vinyl and yet my cartridge has at the most 350 -400 hrs in about 6 years. 
chakster's avatar
chakster
6,144 posts
 
@lewm 
Even if you do pay $2500 for a re-tip after 2000 hours, think of it as about a dollar per hour of enjoyment.  That's cheap fun, compared to theater, movies, live music performances.  

maybe,if it's not accidentally bent earlier, and then the fun is over

nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

Nobody mentioned the problem with suspension. According to

Axel the suspension is as bad as by EMT. Because the body is

glued together acrylic the retipper need to cut the cart to reach

the generator. Axel was willing to do this for me  as friend but I

 am not sure if other retippers will do such job. So the worry

about stylus is not sufficient...

I had the same problem with my Sony XL 88 D. Nobody was

willing to mess with this cart because the body was also glued

together plastic. Aka no access to the generator . BTW Axel

also retipped my ZYX  with new (boron) cantilver and ''nude Shibata''.

According to chakster new models can't be retipped dismissing

my cart (Airy 3) as ''old iron'' but to me this cart sounds very good.

I hope Axel's suspension is better than the original .


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