What Does It Take To Surpass A SME V?

As an update after resetting the cartridge on the SOTA I have decided to stick with the SME V and Proteus on this table. 

However, I have the Ortofon Verismo I am receiving back from VAS. Actually, that showed up yesterday, and last night I installed it on a Dynavector DV505 on my Scheu table. Absolutely beautiful cartridge, the best I have heard here, and not sure I can really ever do better. This is a keeper. Which led to other decisions. 

Poking around on the used market I found a Schroder CB-1L tone arm that was basically in new condition. Owner had put it ona  refurbished Garrard 401 and found out he was not an idler guy. The new table won't accept the arm so I was able to buy it in as new condition for a very very attractive price. 

After completing the transaction, I realized I overlooked one important thing. The arm has XLR terminations on the tone arm cable. My phono stages are RCA inputs. So I am going to have to deal with that. I have used XLR to RCA adapters in the past and the ones I had were not good. Perhaps the Cardas ones are an option. The other choice I have is a different phono stage, and I am finding that XLR inputs are quite difficult to find. The third option is to have the cables re-terminated, and that is not an appealing one to me, I hate modifying equipment from this original design.  The one I am considering is a B.M.C. MCCI Signature. I don't know if I have ever sat down and got extended listening time with a current injection design. So, it is intriguing. 

So that is the update. 

It’s nonsense to think of changing the plugs from XLR to RCA as a “modification “. All you’re doing is grounding one side of the cartridge coils to effect a single-ended output. Pin2 of the XLR goes to the “hot” central pin of the RCA and pin3 goes to ground . You haven’t really altered anything, but you’ve forfeited about 6db of gain compared to a true balanced hookup via XLRs to a balanced phono stage, like that BMC MCCI. So the optimal choice if you want to spend the bucks is indeed to buy a balanced phono stage, be it a current driven type like the MCCI or a voltage driven type. It is important to note that in order to take advantage of the potential gain differential between a true balanced connection and a single ended connection, you must have a true balanced phono section. There are many on the market that offer XLR inputs, but are single ended internally. In that case, you are likely not getting the benefits of balanced Connection.

@lewm I hear what you are saying, I just have an internal quirk about modifying expensive equipment. My own internal firewall, I hate to do it. Yes its just a set of terminations...what can I say?

All I know is this Verismo is one of the finest cartridges I have heard, I like it more than the Transfiguration, I have my doubts my MC2000 will outperform it top to bottom, its going to be similar but I think the Verismo is more liquid.

I am going to want to give it the best supporting cast I can afford. The Schroder is a good fit for my Scheu. I am going to see if that BMC is an option. I have an Esoteric E-03 that supports two of my cartridges, I will probably have to sell my Graham Slee Accession to make things work out for the BMC.

It is quite something how an individual can assess a situation and then see it is the Antithesis of another's approach. 

I see XLR and thought of a exchange to a OCC Pin/Male Connector immediately.

I see a Phon' as a idea to use with the XLR and thought about acquiring a used Model, followed with exchanging the Chassis Mounted XLR to a OCC Sleeve/Female Connector and using PC Triple C Wire as an exchange material on the Signal Path within the Phon' 'if a wire is in use' for this role.

I know the Verismo will sing like not imagined, I say this with confidence, as I have been Demo'd a Windfeld as a Cart' through a Tonearm > Phone with a above average parts used for the build.

I am a advocate of PC Triple C Wire and have been quite encouraging in the idea of adopting the Wire to be used for a variety of Roles.

At a later date I was introduced to the same set up, with PC Triple C Tonearm Wand Wire, Pure Copper - Low Eddy Connectors on Tonearm Wand Wire and Phon' Chassis, and PC Tripe C used within the Phon' on the Signal Path.

The Windfeld when Demo'd was almost unrecognisable, the betterment of the Cart's performance was quite something to be experienced.

The Designer/Builder of the Tonearm and the Phon' could not explain their surprise, they certainly did not foresee, the end product from their investigative endeavours. 

I have also been Demo'd lesser value Cart's that I am quite familiar with from the Ortofon Design, and this Wire and Connector arrangement has allowed for the Cart's to excel, and again are not recognisable to the Cart's when heard in the system in the earlier guise. To the point that on a occasion the impression made from a Cart' with substantial hours of usage, was able to be kept in use for a very extended period, to the point that there was no time left to use a Cart' I specifically brought along to be used, the impression such a simple set of changes can have is is substantial in relation to a Betterment and a New Indelible Experience has been encountered, that is worthy of a mention.

I will be looking into see the thoughts shared on the Verismo/Proteus, as I am a Ortofon Wed User, who formed a suspicion the Proteus was a worthy Cart' to consider from another Brand.

@neonknight , When I got my Channel D Seta L Plus (a fully balanced unit) I had to change the RCAs to XLRs on my Schroder CB. I did not even have to trim the wires. I just desoldered them from the RCAs and re soldered them to the XLRs. It took maybe 10 minutes. You can order the Schroder with XLRs. 

The BMC is a fine unit but you should also look at the Channel D Lino C which recently got an A+ rating with stereophile. I use an MC Diamond which sounds wonderful into the Channel D. The Verismo is for all intents and purposes the same cartridge. Great choice!