Seeking Legit Cartridge Expert?


Anyone out there have a reputable guy who knows the nuances of carts in the $2000+ range? So many opinions.....

current set up 

VPI Super Prime Scot / 10.5 arm

Hana ML

Harbeth 40.3XD 

What's going to drastically improve my sound / detail....mostly listen to Hard Rock, Zeppelin etc....

 

Thanks! 

128x128tommypenngotti

So far the best cart for VPI me try is dynavector. Try 20x2L or better the XX2

I’ve had the Hana ML in my system and also have the 40.3’s.

What amp are you driving them with?

@OP As you have an ML in your system, you should listen to a Umami Blue - sounds great on everything but it is a big sounding cartridge with great dynamics so very well suited to rock.

@tommypenngotti 

Several things you can do to make a significant improvement in your turntables performance. In order foe a great cartridge like the Ortofon Windfeld Ti to sound it's best you have to change that arm. VPI has it's newer Gimbal arm that is a direct replacement and arms like the Kuzma 4 Point 9 and Schroder CB will fit. Then I would add an isolation platform and finally a cartridge. The best cartridge I have ever heard in the $3000 is the Soundsmith Voice which also is high output which has many advantages and it is handily superior to any moving coil cartridge below its price. Nest up would be the Soundsmith Sussurro and Ortofon Windfeld Ti. Above that would be the Soundsmith Hyperion and the Ortofon Verismo. 

If you insist on keeping the arm you want to go for the highest compliance you can find like any of the Van den Huls or an old Shure V15. Unipivot arms do not hold the cartridge securely. Makers of high end unipivots go to great lengths to stabilize the arm. Basis added a 2nd bearing and Graham uses an opposing magnet system. Tonearms can only have two degrees of freedom, vertical and horizontal. Unipivots as you are aware every time you pick up your arm add a third degree, axial or torsional. They do not hold the cartridge body securely. 

I’m not claiming to be an expert, but I went from a Hana ML to a Umami Red and holy cow! I also bought a Soundsmith Paua at the same time and it’s equally impressive. I thought the ML as fantastic until I listened to the Umami, now I’d hate to go back. I paired them with a Parasound JC3+ phonostage. I’m in vinyl heaven. :)  BTW, I am also using Harbeths, though SHL5plus XD.