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ZYX "House" Sound

I am searching for a different sound in my system. I'm currently using the Shelter 901 MkIII and the Koetsu Rosewood Signature. I consider both to be on the warm side of neutral. I'd like to find a very good quality cartridge that is a bit more neutral. I don't want "clinical". I cannot cope with cymbals that sound like white noise with emphasis on the upper octaves. System is: MS DD-40 (2 tables), SUT using the Cimemag 1254 Tranny, Paragon Model E tube preamp (used as a phono pre) and Musical Surroundings Nova phono pre, Levinson control amp, Bryston 2.5B cubed power amp, Revel bookshelf speakers and HSU sub.

I've been seriously considering ZYX for my next cartridge. There are reviews of the top and bottom of the line ZYX cartridges, but little in between. I've contacted Mehran at Sorasound. Based on my budget, he suggested the Ultimate (Exceed) 4D or the Ultimate (Exceed) Omega.

Not many reviews for these mid-tier cartridges. Is anyone familiar with the sound of these cartridges? Does ZYX have a "house" sound? I'm not concerned by the naming confusion nor any of the other negative comments I've read. They're not constructive. I really want to understand where the ZYX cartridges fit in the cool to warm spectrum. There may be other brands to look at, and I'm doing that. This post is about the ZYX sound.

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kennyc
1,523 posts
 

I somewhat agree with @dover - usually these high quality cartridges are used in higher performing turntables - better tonearms and quieter turntables (plinth and platter).  But the OP shouldn’t panic, his current setup will work

slovell's avatar
slovell
55 posts
 

I have a ZYX Bloom 3 that I use on my VPI Scoutmaster in rotation with a couple of other carts. It's a killer cart for the price.

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,883 posts
 

I have been thinking of getting the Bloom 3 for my Sota Escape / Origin Live Silver iv.    Part Time Audiophile's pick for best value.  They said it sounds better than some $3k  and $4k carts.   

pindac's avatar
pindac
2,864 posts
 

With Cart' selection, there is the presentation/sonic character of the Cart' being selected that is quite a important factor to consider.

Cart's can present as Transparent through to have a very noticeable Rich Tone.

With a MC Cart', I lean towards noticeably Transparent and add Tone 'as and when desired'. Platter Mat's, Phon's>SUT configurations, Cables and Speakers are all able to add or remove the presence of a Rich Tone, when understanding how certain permutations of these items in use are assembled.   

A Cart' with a Aluminium Cantilever in today knowledge for Cart' design, is using the Metal Armature to add Richness to the Tone, Brands that have a Cart' Range will usually have the Metal Armature to voice the Cart' different to the Boron or Ruby/Sapphire options.  

If an individual is sensitive to a Rich Tone being noticeably present, using materials capable of creating such a perception, and one that firther accentuates Richness of Tone in a system, might create a sonic where the presence of Richness becomes a constant distraction when listening.

It is each to their own, I know some who like very noticeable Bloom in the Bass, and some who like to hear a underpinning of the sonic, not too far removed from being Transparent.

Through my own offering of demo's, where creating differences to the influences of a Rich Tone is undertaken during a replay, there are always mixed responses to the impact of the Tone being produced from individuals receiving the demo'. My method's are not always capable of producing the deeper depth for the range of available Tone that certain individuals prefer.

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