My Sonic Lab Platinum v Gold Signature

I am yet to get a demonstration of these Cart's. It is on a Bucket List which also has the Mutech Hayabusa and Ortofon Verismo as well.

When investigating the MSL's, I discovered a report from a individual who I have followed for quite a few years and have come to trust.

The report shares about MSL Cart's and the Mutech Hayabusa. As a result of using the Cart's, it is making it known the Hayabusa is offering much of everything the MSL Cart's are offering, with its own variance and the Mutech Hayabusa Cart' is usually found at a more affordable price.

I have put a Link to this report recently in another Thread.   

Not at all @wrm57. The Signature Platinum is a very easy going cartridge. It is very detailed but never edgy. I do not think there is ever too much detail if the cartridge is neutral.  It is easy to give a false sense of detail by jacking the high end but that is not the case here. The Gold is said to be warmer. I would think with all that Mac equipment you are already warm enough! I have not had a Gold in my system so I can not comment directly. I can tell you that the Signature Platinum is an easier going cartridge than either the Lyra Atlas Lambda SL or the Ortofon MC Diamond and it benefits from a much higher output than either. My goal has always been neutrality. I want what is in that groove, no more and no less. 

@pindac , I almost purchased a Hayabusa but elected not to after looking at it under the microscope. The level of care in construction is not up to any MSL cartridge or the Verismo which I have not seen but I suspect is every bit as good as the MC Diamond which I have. This says nothing about the way the Hayabusa sounds. I can not say as I never mounted it.

The Topic of this thread type does get my attention.

The Verismo, MSL's and Hayabusa has been a priority investigation as I am working my way towards the time I will make a decision on a final MC Cart' Purchase, which will be an indulgence and what ever the method used to acquire the MC, this one will be kept for Special Occasions, rare find Albums and friends around and such. To be fair to the Cart' I will probably attempt to use it for 100ish hours annually.

I am fortunate to have been offered a Demo' of a Verismo in a owners home system, where there is also a Anna. I will revisit this offer very soon.

There will be a transition at some point to the revisit of owned stored away Cart's and where the activity will commence for the tiring out of owned LOMC's, HOMC's, MM's and other oddities which have created an interest. There is to be second system, which my Wife is very comfortable with using and she can have a Two Tone Arm Deck to extend the Cart's usage. There will be plenty going on to keep the Phon's engaged in their work.

During early investigations there was a substantial Jump in purchase price between the Hayabusa and MSL's. More recently the MSL's are seen to have decreased in asking price and are not too far separated from the Hayabusa.

Price or Marketing Spiel does not drive my decision to pull the trigger on a purchase, it has evolved to be the impression the device can produce through being given a demonstration. With the right set up, supporting ancillaries and environment. I can work out where there are attractors to be found and if I feel these are the ones I want to exploit when reproduced in my own system. Hence, I don't look to be given demo's at large organised commercial event anymore, I find the environment fails the demo's on offer, and much that is encountered is tolerated for very short durations. Interestingly some fall in love and get the cheque book out without hesitation. Horses for Courses I suppose.

@mijostyn , thanks for the detailed report on the Platinum. Neutrality is a good thing, and something I strive for in my systems. I'm pleased to be hearing from you and @blisshifi that the Platinum does not stray toward brightness and edginess.

BTW, I have not owned Mac gear in more than a decade! It was a brief phase in search of warmth to offset the brightness in a pair of PBN Montana speakers I bought on a whim and quickly sold.