$800 Cartridge Shootout and Upgrade Path

Artar - Thank you for your comments about my future purchases! I have spoken (via email!) with Doug about the ZYX cartridges; he has also recommended the Denon 103R. And now I seem to have added the Shelter 501 into the mix! I will make up my mind at some point. I think I will probably stick with the Denon cartridge as it seems to be very well respected and liked by many, and I will be able to upgrade next year, or....Plus I can spend more on the rest of the set up. As far as "cheap & cheerful" goes, I wasn't referring to the Teres turntable. It alone takes up most of my original budget, but my original budget flew out the window several weeks ago! :-~

The OL Encounter tonearm is way more than I can spend; I will stay with the OL Silver (hopefully the earlier version so I can apply Twl's HiFi tweak.) As far as the phono stage goes, I have looked into the Wright products and I am impressed by them. I like the Cary's, too, but they seem to be a lot more expensive. I'm still keeping an eye out for used phono stages, too. Well, however I go, I need to make sure they will work with MC cartridges, as that seems to be the way I am headed, so I'll have to get a step-up transformer, too.

What are the "VA Cables?" Sorry - I did a google search and couldn't find these. Does any one use and like the Homegrown Audio cables? HGA cables I'm pretty new at this and probably should do some more research. I mean, I don't know what the difference is between "balanced" cables and those that are, what, unbalanced?!? :-o

Glad you were able to make all your decisions, Artar. Like you, retirement isn't all that far off for me, but I really want to have a good audio system set up before then. I may not be able to travel after I retire (if I can even retire) but I sure will be able to stay home and listen to music!

Holly

CHris - Don´t feel bad if you want to sell your PASS preamp. I sold mine (X3 in this case) that did not meet my expectations considering other preamps I had at hand two months back. Now I live happy with a PLC Sonic Euphoria Passive Preamp.

Fernando

Hi Holly,

That should have been VH Audio!

Here is the URL:

http://www.vhaudio.com/

Thanks for the link, Artar.

Hey Artar!

Glad to have you back. Interesting purchase, I have heard great things about the Moerch arm. My X-mas was uneventful, I worked. I went to Detroit the week before and a record store that I used to go to in Ann Arbor and thought long gone was actually bought by someone else. I found some LP's of course, Furtwangler playing Wagner, Henze on DG and Wergo. Some Beethoven quartets etc etc. I spent a buncha money on records while there. I didn't miss leaving the 5 degree weather to a return to 40 degree warmth.

On the 25th I fly to Colorado. I just got the tix and will contact the guys tonight (Chris and Thom at Teres and Galibier respectively) and start to lay down the plan. I'm definitely up for the Schroeder Model 2. Not sure what table yet. If a Galibier, the cheapest model with the pvc platter. If the Teres then probably the 255. Either way I can't lose!

As for the preamp. I'm not unhappy with the Pass, I'm just feeling the audiofool money pinch and have been desirious of upgrading my sources. I have a Golden Tube Audio preamp that is coming back from Parts Connexion after being modded. If it sounds as sweet as I think it will then it might make sense for me to sell the Pass and put the money into a CD player. Or just to pay for the table and tonearm.
The Pass is an expensive unit but definitely a world class pre. If it still blows away the GTA then I will sell the other though it won't bring nearly as much money. I also want to send my Sonic Frontiers phono pre to Parts Connexion for modding and this all ain't cheap!

This high end is killing me financially. I need a higher paying job.

Artar, glad that you're back and rested. After Denver, in March, I'm heading out to New York and Philadelphia for some serious art tourism. Unfortunately I'll doubt I'll get much rest but I'll get refueled with inspiration and probably find a few LP's out there.

Let us know when you get your gear. I'm sure we're all curious as to what you think.
Chris