ZYX Universe and Lyra Titan

Dougdeacon:

As I recall from one of your earliest post on another thread, you have been actively involved in the so-called highend for only a couple of years. Am I correct in my assumption?

Richardmr,

I really don't think my comments will help you except to the extent of making you comfortable with whatever you choose. I was one of the attendees Dougdeacon mentions who heard both the UNIverse and Olympos. We had both cartridges mounted on Schroder Reference arms using a Teres 340 twin arm table. We could A/B quite quickly or otherwise with this setup. I think this was about as scientific as you could get but I'm certain there were variables such as how many hours were on the wire in the arms and how many hours each cartridge had previously been used. As Doug said, both were outstanding examples with very little difference between them. In my opinion, for what that's worth. About what you've paid for it, for sure.

I don't even own a cartridge of this calibre myself. Mine is a ZYX Airy 3 S SB which happened to fall at the top of my budget range. While I love my cartridge I doubt the other folks in attendance would have picked the silver wire version I own. I'm not offended at all if that's how they feel. Who knows, they may be right but since, in my system, I have no other reference to compare it to I either made the right choice or I'm lucky enough to not know it. Certainly, if there is a difference I'm confident it is very, very small in the real world of listening. The point I'm trying to make is that since we just don't have any real opportunities for comparrison one needs to be pragmatic. My take? You cannot make a mistake at the level you are considering. Certainly, the arm you are using will make a larger difference (assuming it is one I've not heard wiht a Lyra or ZYX) than the cartridges being considered.

Threads like this serve the purpose of at least allowing you to realize you can't make a mistake. For myself money is an issue. If you can realize significant savings by trading in your old cartridge then I'd suggest you place heavy emphasis on that.

Gmorris what difference would it make if a person were only involved in "so called Highend for a couple of years?"

The amount of time a person has spent in a given activity is less meaningful than their experience level. Some people will learn absotlutely nothing in five years while another person can learn volumes in a much shorter period of time.

I don't know Doug, as I have never met him, but his level of experience seems to be significant. I would rather learn from someone who is active and excited about a given hobby or past time rather then some self-proclaimed expert or audio engineer.

From what I have read, Doug Deacon has been involved in these tests and comparisons, who could more correctly speak to the results than a participant? Now he if wrote for a national publication we could all ridicule and mock him, but I think he's just another hobbiest.

Not to denigrate you Gmorris (BTW--took a look at your system,and philosophy,and it is WAY cool),but what if Doug was into the high end for only a year,for example.It is his,or anyone's,experience in how "actual music" sounds that carries any gravity,here.I'm sure there has been alot of real musical experience there,as his posts have given people like me the idea that this guy knows the sound of "music"!BTW--I have seen other less versed, supposed, high-enders pick up this hobby FAST,with some exposure to other well meaning audio friends.In the case of Doug,he frequently mentions a "PAUL",who I'm sure is active in this hobby,yet doesn't seem to post.

What's the problem?

Best regards!

Why are you guys assuming that I was on the verge of bashing Dougdeacon,? That was not my intent.