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

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.

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.

 

 

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.)

@dogberry My Post prior to this one, expresses my thoughts based on my findings through A/B comparisons of very similar in design Ortofon Cart's, especially Cart's that share elements design, that are the same, even though the timeline for the release of the Carts, does suggest the Models are using varieties of evolving Ortofon Technologies.

As stated " The demo's have all taken place on a set up that has the same Headshell Material, TA >TT and system. "

There were others in attendance whilst comparisons were carried out and not all attendees were the same at each of the comparison demo's.

There was a common thought shared by attendees at the demo's which they had received, which is stated in the following:

" The general shared thoughts as a outcome of comparative demo's has been that a different styli, is not too much of a impact on a sonic. A detail retrieval might be detected as having a difference, and compared to a original styli, the other styli in use, certainly refined the presentation, which is a more attractive experience. "

" The general shared thought between attendees at a demo' has been that the structure of the Signal Path of the Cart', is seemingly the area responsible for creating the most noticeable change to a Sonic. "

With this experience being indelible for myself, and having a good knowledge of the Ortofon Technologies that have created the Cadenza Range of Cart's. I standby the notion I am suggesting, that it is the Coils and other structures in use on the K'c that are the elements that are capable of producing the sonic that is off such an attraction to yourself. 

The extremely Good News is that there is a Service now discovered that can assist with keeping this experience ongoing for yourself, if my Math is correct, and using the 1000 Hours as a predicted life for a Styli, the experience should be had for approx' $00.35 cents per hour of usage.

Note: I have been informed by individuals keen to keep a Kontrapunkt in use, thet there are Third Party Services that are charging a Premium for working on Kontrapunkt Models. The idea behind the premium being the Model of Cart' is one that presents additional challenges.

I am also aware through the same communications as above, that a newly modified Kontrapunkt was needing to be returned to the Third Party Service shortly after it being received by the US based owner with the modifications said to be completed and identified as not being so.  

As long as supplied info comes from a certain source (which is a very small group of advocates of the Kontrapunkt) I believe all the info I receive. The sharing of info, is one to help steer the dedicated owners to valuable supporting services when required.

Your Story,  is now is one that I am quite happy to pass on, especially as Cadenza's are seemingly becoming valued for their 'Trade In' value, and are not typically to be found at a cost to be suitable as a donor model for undergoing a Third Party Service inspection and assessment for refurb/rebuild.

Global Searches over the past year and prior to this have discovered Kontrapunkts for as little as £60, well worth a Punt, if the additional work to return it to a functioning model is to come in at approx' $350.

A friend bought a K'b with a guestimate of 1000 hours usage for a pittance, the intention was to demo' the Cart' and exchange to the PW Windfeld, to make an assessment of the failings of the K'b.

The outcome being, the K'b, was such a enjoyed experience, it was given the opportunity to be kept in use for the whole of the time allocated for the listening experience. The Windfeld was to show off on another occasion vs the K'b.   

     

@dogberry  : Yes, that Replicant 100 and I understand exactly what you was looking for to your C model.

My post was in reference that you said that the cartridge was retipped with the FG2 and this stylus shape is similar to the Replicant 100. This you can confirm in tthe link I posted to you.

 

I posted " anal " because in one of my first posts in the thread I told you that the Replicant 100 could an upgrade and you said: NO Replicant 100. Tha's all

 

R.