Cartridge Advice Please
I would love to hear from others that have traveled the same or a similar path.
My system is the previous Gen of Audio Research REF gear with the 75SE amp, 5SE preamp and 2SE phonostage with the Rega P10 playing Wilson Sophia 1. I listen to a lot of rock, R&B, blues, jazz, folk
My previous cartridge of about 2 years was a Benz Micro Wood SM. I got it new and loved it from the first record. My current cartridge is the Kiseki Purple Heart which I love even more and also have loved from the beginning. I got is used with about 200 hours, lol. So many people listen for 200 hours and then sell. I am fine with used but have always found that 150-200 hour statistic funny.
It has been about 9 months and I am happy with every other aspect of my system so would like to experiment with a new cartridge. Here are the ones that didn't work
SoundSmith Sussuro MkII ES - I liked it but with a 0.4mV rating it required my 5SE volume to be around 20 higher than the Purple Heart rated at 0.48mV. That makes no sense and it caused a buzz to be audible from my speakers between albums/tracks when listening at moderately loud volumes. Mr. Peter said there was nothing wrong with it and felt no need for me to send it in so I sold it.
Rega Aphelion 2 - This came used on my P10 and my mind was set on selling to justify the P10 upgrade so not sure I gave it the best chance but it sounded bright to me.
Rega Apheta 3 - Same deal as above, came on my previous RP10 and also sounded bright.
My initial thoughts are:
Koetsu
Lyra
Higher level Benz
Ortofon
@russellrcncom Are you using this as the stock arm on an RP10 or modified a non-Rega turntable? Don't suppose it matters....right? Just curious I should have included Rega RB3000 in the title as many have commented on choices on other brand arms. I have been reading a little about compliance and using formulas to consider cartridges. Do you know if there any clear red flags or stats that would be a hard elimination for a cartridge? What are you listening to now on the RB2000? |
@dhite71 I have an ARC Reference Phono and love the way the Benz cartridges sound through it on my Oracle Delphi mkV/SME V combo. Also have played some Ortofons through it as well and they have a sense of "rightness" about them that while different, is still appealing. I will say that Sound Smith disappointed me as well with their customer service on the cartridge repair front. If you have the need for repair or re-tipping, check out Steve and Ray Leung’s service, Vinyl Audio Science. Wasn’t afraid of a Beryllium cantilever, unlike SS. Turnaround time was about a week. I can’t recommend them highly enough! |
@mytthor appreciate the referral of Steve and Ray for service. I had read somewhere of others having a good experience with them.
A near mint Lyra Kleos came up for sale on USAM yesterday at a great price so I bought that. Lyra has been a brand I have wanted to hear for a while so am very excited to try this one out! I will update after I have spent some time with it. Thanks again for all the input. |
