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VPI Signature Cartridge Ideas VPI SIg w/ Fatboy Unipivot arm

I was hunting VPI tables and just found out that my amazing wife has selected for me with help from a friend, a lightly used VPI Signature w/ a 3D printed Fatboy-10- UniPivot arm and ADS; an early birthday present. 
My Setup is Tannoy Kensington GR’s, Conrad Johnson Premier 12 Mono block amps, Linear Tube Audio -Microzotl Preamplifier, and Graham Slee Revelation C -phono pre. 
Since the rig costs what it does I can’t see spending over $2300 on a Cart, but I also am leaning towards Ortofon Cadenza Bronze, mostly due to its warmth and forgiveness of snap, crackle and pop of older vinyl. I have had a 2M Bronze on a lesser table and it was more enjoyable than the SoundSmith carts I tried after. 
I’m also asking for ideas. Please share. 
jahatl513
slaw's avatar
slaw
23,678 posts
 
My SoundSmith Sussurro Mk II is wonderful on my VPI Classic 3 Sig SE.
mkiser's avatar
mkiser
42 posts
 
I'm using a Cadenza Bronze and it is by far the quietest in the groove of any cartridge that I've owned.  Several reviews of the Cadenza Bronze say something like "I listened well into the night". I concur with that observation.  It replaced a Paua BTW.  I've paired the Cadenza with a custom op-amp based phono stage that replaced a highly regarded tube based phono stage.  If the Cadenza is warm, then I guess it must be balancing out something else in the chain, because the sound I'm getting is neutral.  Detail resolution has taken a huge step up as well, mostly on account of the phono stage.  The Paua threw a wider soundstage, but the Cadenza's is a little deeper.   Cadenza's can be found on sale pretty readily.
slaw's avatar
slaw
23,678 posts
 
Years ago you posted on the ET thread that your first foray into SS, I’m paraphrasing, (sounds like the master tape) be this we as with a Star or a MI MC. Also, you mentioned buying some speakers,/amps that aren’t shown in your virtual system pages, even now.

Now you expect us to believe a history of SS carts since and now the Cadenza MC

Why change a cart that sounded like the master tape?
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