Charisma Audio Cartridges

Just circling back now that I have the Charisma broken in on my new Sempersonus TE-2/TW Raven arm/WyWires Platinum phono cable. I've got at least 50 hours on the cartridge. My previous vinyl playback system was a custom VPI Scout "Supreme"--basically a Prime Signature built on the smaller Scout plinth--with a 3D-10 gimbaled tonearm, Nordost reference wiring (arm and RCA junction box), HRX mini feet, Prime motor, platter and bearing. Mounted to the arm was a Soundsmith MIMC Star. Phono cable was by VPI. Unfortunately, I am not able to comment exclusively on the Charisma Signature One since I did not run it in place of the MIMC Star on the VPI. Rather, I installed it on the TE-2/Raven/WyWires so comments are really attributable to the entire playback system. That said, everything I heard of the Signature One at High Water Sound and described above applies here. I am amazed at the sound I am getting. The system has incredible musicality--flow, timing, pace and drive--along with the full spectrum of "modern" analogue qualities--inner detail, soundstaging, imaging, speed, transient fidelity. I am surprised that the gains over the VPI are so signficant, given the excellent performance of my Scout Supreme. The Signature One--mounted as described--is an amazing transducer and I suspect a giant killer at its price point. I liken it to my previous ART 9 in many ways--at $1K you are getting very close to reference quality sound--the Signature One is there. 

I have a Signature One that I will be reviewing for Part Time Audiophile. I only have about 6 hours on it so far but it’s exceptional sounding. I’m hearing an extremely flat frequency response for a very detailed MC. I think most MCs are too bright. Compared to a ZYX Ultimate 100 which is my regular cart, the Sig One is flatter in the mid bass and upper mids/lower treble without sounding lean or too forward.  The freq extremes are more similar than different. The ZYX is quite detailed but warmer overall. It really comes down to what is the best fit for a given speaker and what the listener wants to hear. The rest of the system is a Rega P10, Vac Master Preamplifier with phono stage, Pass Labs X-60.8s or Audio Hungary Qualiton APX-200 amps, Acora Acoustics SRC-2 or QLN Prestige Three speakers. 

Myu Signature One was installed just a week ago and so far I am loving it - it is clearly not broken in yet as it is very audibly breaking in! They reckon about 50 hours for full break in.

@mgw Thanks for chiming in and reviving this thread. Let us know how things progress after break in. I’ve since moved my Signature One over to a Pure Fidelity Harmony with an Origin Live Conqueror. Interesting to compare the two tables by keeping the cartridge constant. Nice to discover that the Charisma plays nicely in a different arrangement—still loving it!

@dodgealum sitting here listening to Roxy Music’s Country Life just now, it has never sounded so good.

The cartridge is mounted on my heavily modded SME 309 (fixed headshell, rewired with Nordost Valkyrja cable from cartridge tags to phonos) on my Michell Gyro SE Bronze (again heavily modded, Orbe spindle upgrade, rubber coated springs, SI3N4 ball bearings in the main bearing and suspension posts) with HR PSU.

I believe the Gyro SE is unique having modded it from a full scale Gyrodec Bronze.