It wasn't Transfiguration's fault that it's owner and principle brain trust passed away. Unfortunately, he must not have had a relative interested in carrying on like Grado and Koetsu. The Proteus was a great cartridge. I never owned one but I had it in my system for a weekend. We have a group of diehard vinyl audiophiles who all trust each other and we swap cartridges all the time. If you can't get the Transfiguration fixed MySonicLabs is supposed to be very similar. One is probably in my future but the Atlas is first. I would also love to get a second TT so I can AB cartridges without having to fiddle around. Got to have something to day dream about. I'm not sure pops but I think Van den Hul will repair cartridges.
Cartridge Selection
Hello,
I am the happy owner of a VPI Classic Signature, connected to McIntosh phono preamp (both MM and MC with adjustable capacitance and resistance), preamp and amplifier (preamp is tube, phono preamp and amp are solid state). Speakers are B&W 805 D3. This analog part of my system is used exclusively for listening to jazz.
Presently, I have a Hana SH mounted on the VPI Classic. I like the sound very much, but am thinking I can get more out of my system with a cartridge upgrade. I am considering the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star, Lyra Delos, or Benz Micro Wood SL. Trying to keep the cost to around $2K or less.
I would greatly appreciate any insight from the group.
Thanks.
GAR
I am the happy owner of a VPI Classic Signature, connected to McIntosh phono preamp (both MM and MC with adjustable capacitance and resistance), preamp and amplifier (preamp is tube, phono preamp and amp are solid state). Speakers are B&W 805 D3. This analog part of my system is used exclusively for listening to jazz.
Presently, I have a Hana SH mounted on the VPI Classic. I like the sound very much, but am thinking I can get more out of my system with a cartridge upgrade. I am considering the Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC Star, Lyra Delos, or Benz Micro Wood SL. Trying to keep the cost to around $2K or less.
I would greatly appreciate any insight from the group.
Thanks.
GAR
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- 18 posts total
Tablejockey, I think that is particularly true at the less expensive end of the market but when you get to Sutherland and Pass SS phono amps that argument breaks down. The one gig I would love to try is Channel D's system where you have an unequalized Phono amp go to an ADC and let a computer do the equalization. Interesting concept but I would have a hard time spending money on it. I myself tend to lean toward tube phono amps having a weakness for ARC products and 6922s |
Dear @gareents : You can't go wrong with either of the next cartridges, all really good quality performers: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9debe-van-den-hul-crimson-stradivarius-cartridges https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis92ajg-kuzma-car-50-no-manual-cartridges https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis9dc5g-benz-micro-lp-s-microridge-mc-cartridge-cartridges Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS, R. |
That Transfiguration Proteus was supposed to be fabulous- i missed the boat on that. I know some people view third party retippers with disdain, but since the original manufacturer is no longer around, what's the downside if the cartridge isn't working anyway? Soundsmith is first rate, but very slow. I bought a retipped cartridge from Steve Leung at VAS to tide me over; it was well done, cheap and he was fast and helpful. I'm using a stone bodied Koetsu on a linear arm and it is a match made in heaven. My Airtight Supreme is waiting for a rebuild. I would buy a Proteus at the right price if it could be retipped by a third party specialist. (I was told the D version was really killer but I doubt you'll find that in the third party retip market. Interesting that you think the My Sonic Lab is similar, @mijostyn. I never had one in my system, only the cousins-- the Airtights, which I liked. |
- 18 posts total