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Ortofon Kontrapunkt C vs. Cadenza Bronze

I enjoyed the Kontrapunkt C for many years, but now its stylus is well-worn. I replaced it with a Cadenza Bronze, understanding that the Bronze was the closest to it, a direct descendant if you like. I think the top member of the Cadenza range, the Black, is more like a descendant of the Jubilee.

The Kontrapunkt C had an amazing ability to make me want to keep on listening, always wanting just one more side before bed. I'm not noticing that with the Bronze, which is very good, but not addictively so.

So I'm thinking I might send the Kontrapunkt C off to VAS to get re-tipped. There is a difference in stylus between these cartridges, the older one has a "nude FG 80" and the Bronze has a "Replicant 100." Given that Steve Leung can pretty much put any kind of stylus on there, what do you think I should order up? My feeling is to ask for whatever is closest to the original, if I am to re-create what I loved about it before.

dogberry
dogberry OP
566 posts
 

The cartridge has arrived at VAS, and now I have to wait for it to get to the top of Steve's to-do list. It will be very interesting to compare it to the Bronze when it returns. I tend to use the Ortofons for classical records, and the Decca Reference and MP-500 for more modern stuff. When I first had the Kontrapunkt C it replaced a BM Ruby 3, and I initially felt it was overly-detailed (I may have even described it as 'scratchy') but I guess in retrospect that I was influenced by the the cartridge that had gone before which was rather rich and glowing in its sound. Indeed I became accustomed to it and grew to love it. When I got it out again during my long search for a replacement for the Reference when it looked like there would be no more service for it, I was surprised at how very good it was. But it was clear that the stylus was worn under a microscope (I keep a nice old Olympus binocular microscope that I used to use in the office for urine microscopy!) and hence the switch to the Bronze.

If it comes back and I can't tell the difference from the Bronze....well, at least I have yet another spare cartridge! But that isn't what I'm expecting to happen. I remain very happy with the Cadenza Mono on the remaining tonearm.

dogberry OP
566 posts
 

I was just sent a video from Steve, so I thought I'd share:

https://youtu.be/9klmK0h83Nc

dogberry OP
566 posts
 

It's back, and mounted on a headshell for an SME 309 arm. It definitely has, as far as psychoacoustics lets me tell, that addictive quality I remember. How come the Cadenza Bronze just doesn't sound as good? Who knows or cares?

I'm about to do something that some will criticize. Two more tonearm pods, one with an SME IV, and one with another SME 309. One will house the Sussurro MkII, and the other the Grado Statement 3. Then I shall be running four MI cartridges and two MC cartridges.

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rauliruegas
12,820 posts
 

Dear @dogberry  : Good that you already has re-tipped your C.

Now I I read that comes with the FG2 that's similar to the Replicant 100 and when I posted that that was the best for your C your answer was almost " anal " that that is not what you want it but the stylus shape similar in your C.

 

Here you can read about that FG2 by other retipper post,Joseph Long:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/retip-lyra-delos-and-upgrade/post?postid=2553690#2553690

 

Anyway, the important issue is that you are satisfied and thta's what it counts. Good.

 

R.

 

 

dogberry OP
566 posts
 

Raul, I'm not sure what you'd find "anal" about my desire to re-create the sound I loved from the K.c. If the stylus shape makes any difference to sound, it is reasonable to try to fit one as close as possible to the original (and the Replicant 100 on the Cadenza Bronze may even be part of why it isn't satisfying to me.)

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