My Sonic Lab Platinum v Gold Signature


Has anyone compared them? I’m tempted by the Platinum but a little concerned it might edge into hyper-detail, which is not my happy place. The Gold reputedly has more body, but I’m wondering whether this comes at the expense of hard-won things like nuance and dynamics.

From what I can tell the main, perhaps only, design differences are cantilever and body material. The Platinum features a boron cantilever and titanium body; the Gold sports Duralumin, a form of aluminum, for both. Myself, I’ve never heard an aluminum cantilever that didn’t color or soften the sound somewhat, but then I’ve never heard one on a top flight cartridge like the MSL. Both have a DCR of 1.4 ohm and an output of 0.5mV.

The tonearm is a Graham Phantom Supreme; the phonostage is an Allnic H3000, probably via its 13x SUT. Based on MSL’s recommendation, the ideal load impedance is around 3-400 ohms (surprising for such low DCR), so this ratio should get me pretty close to what either one needs. Turntable is an Artisan Fidelity SP10R. Music is mostly jazz.

I'm especially interested in direct comparisons, but I also welcome experiences with either cartridge, and thoughts on how they might mesh with my arm and 'table.

Thanks in advance.

 

wrm57

@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.

@pindac , The Anna is no longer available. It's replacement is called the MC Diamond, a fine cartridge but I am not sure it is a significant improvement on the Verismo. Both are very low output. You have to make sure your phono stage is up to it. I own the MC Diamond and frankly, with my phono stage, I prefer the MSL and the Lyra Atlas Lambda SL. This is only because of the signal to noise ratio and not the sonic imprint. 

@wrm57 If neutrality is a trait that is to seriously considered the Options are to be from a broader Palette. Certain Ortofon Cart's are more than able to perceived as having this trait.

I have been demonstrated Ortofon's and a Sumiko Pearwood in consecutive demo's. The Pearwood has been capable of making a very good impression on quite a few occasions. This Cart' presents in a way I would claim is leaning toward neutral, it is certainly not one with a Rich Tone, even though a Wood Body will suggest a Rich Tone is to be encountered.