Synergy


Some months ago I upgraded my analog system extensively. My salesman recommended the Hana ML cartridge which I know is very highly thought of. I had been using the Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge which I accidentally destroyed, I sent the Virtuoso out to be retipped by SoundSmith and when I got it back tried to sell it on Audiogon and eBay. I couldn’t give it away at a ridiculous low price so I kept it. I used the Hana in my new system for months and was relatively happy until I realized I wasn’t getting great sound compared to my digital side.
So I got the bright idea of switching back to the Clearaudio Virtuoso. Voila, the system came to life after break in like never before. 
Just shows how components are synergy related.

 

 

 

128x128rvpiano

It is not possible for myself to recommend a Cart' to add to a list, as I don't have a broad experience of Cart's used in domestic systems and residences, most are heard from the period when I attended commercial events and many of these are obsolete.

To help reign in the traits of the 20/20 that are known for being very revealing, and options that should not require too much monies look at the following:

1, The 20/20 Phono Pre' has load setting adjustment, speak to the producer and let them to suggest a setting to assist with High Frequency Roll Off, this might be all that is required.

2, I have had great success with 5mm Forex Foam used as a Platter Mat, this material in this thickness has kept all the wanted intricate detail from the recording, but added a Rich Tone at the expense of the Upper Frequencies. I am yet to meet anybody who experienced the 5mm in use across a variety of TT's, who are not impressed with the performance and bang for buck element. I got a batch of Forex Foam in 3mm and 5mm for approx' $30ish. I have been quite tempted to try this in 8mm as a result of the substantial jump in impression made between 3mm-5mm. 

3, A Signal Wire in a Cable produced with D.U.C.C Wire, has shown a Rich Tone in all the systems I have loaned such a Cable type to, a careful search could get a 6N Purity for $70 - $100+. 

4, A SUT 'will' add a Rich Tone at the expense of the highest frequencies and certain brands can Roll of the Highs very noticeably to make way for having a very weighty loose bass presence, a SUT loan would be the best practice for this method.         

Dear @rvpiano  : 13 years ago all the Clearaudio MM cartridges were made by Audio Technica and the Virtuoso ( that I owned ) cartridge motor was the humble one by the AT 95 and improved under Clearaudio needs.

This was my review of the Virtuoso:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/review-clearaudio-virtuoso-wood-cartridge

 

Maybe what you need is to match ( as mulveling said. ) with a different tonearm the other alternative is that you need a really accurated set up especially in the VTA because the Virtuoso is extremely sensitive to minute VTA changes.

The other issue is that the retip was made by SoundSmith and maybe with ruby cantilever and this kind of material is not very good on that place where even hardened aluminum is a superior choice.

Before you spend more money try some cartridge set up modifications not only VTA but vtf and azymuth too and try to mantain clean the stylus tip and obviously your LPs.

 

R.

Roll em IF ya got em. You should check out the muscular Kuzma… seems to work well in my systems….

@rvpiano You might like the Benz wood bodies….

@pindac @rauliruegas @tomic601

Thanks so much for your suggestions.

i think I might  have been a little premature in my evaluation.  Most things really sound good.  Maybe being too compulsive!

@rvpiano I can second tomic601's Benz Wood recommendation. Never bright or edgy, and never boring. Just nicely balanced and a bit sweet :) 

I started out in analog (years ago now) with a Benz Glider L2, and it kept the upgrade-itis at bay for two full years! In retrospect, it was a great 1st choice for me. Glider is very close to Wood, the latter is just a tad sweeter. Any of the Wood versions - L2, M2, SL, SM will do nicely (M is medium output, L is low output, S is the most recent version, 2 is the older version).