2. analog
  3. 1138608013

Anyone using the Clear Audio Virtuoso Wood?

Anyone used a really high end moving magnet? I hear they can be compressed or mushy even with the extra fine cut of the needle and well-made magnets. I also hear MM's are overall better rockers. My experience is all my selections, listed below, are pretty good, but I would really like a contrarian point of view, e.g. not just the normal, "All moving coils are better than moving magnets," line. I agree, in theory, but in the real world I wonder if it always works that way.

The carts I have in mind are all about $800.: the Shelter 501 (an MC), the Dynavector XX-2 (an MC) (purchased from the gray market at $800.), Lyra Argo or Dorian (again MC's) or the Clear Audio Virtuoso (a MM). My system has pretty good microdynamics, but they could be better; maybe 5 out of 10. The macrodynamics are more like 7 out of 10. All subjective of course.

My system consists of Cary and a Spacedeck with a '70's Kenwood phonostage. I listen to mainly rock and jazz, with some other stuff mixed in. Seems something more analytical might be good, like the Lyra or Clear Audio, as most of the equipment produces a well defined soundstage with a little bit of romance.

My question is: I want a cart that if it gets broken, I'm not going to feel ripped off if I have a cat jump up, or I accidentally knock it, or there's an earthquake. Two of these cart's have no rebuild/replace policy (Shelter and Dyna), two do (Clear Audio and Lyra).

Positive or negative words on any of the above? Anybody got two arms you go back and forth with?
biomimetic
shasta
155 posts
 
Formerly. It was OK in most respects, not terribly exciting, and certainly to very dynamic. I also had a bit of an issue with warranty issues, the US distributor, blah blah.

I'll just remind everyone, that you'd better check your new cart *very* carefully for mis-aligned cantilevers (most importantly), channel imbalance, and everything else you can think of.

I went w/ a Sumiko Celebration, and happily so.
biomimetic OP
252 posts
 
Shasta - Are you talking about the Lyra or did you have a problem with the Clear Audio and the importer Musical Surroundings - in my experience they are total jackasses. But I was wondering if you would offer up a compare/contrast of your from/to cartridge odyssey.
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
I am not a fan of the CA MC cartridges, at all. However, and in polar opposition to Mr. Jones, I found the Virtuoso Wood to be a very fine MM cartridge. Involving, with plenty of smack, yet nicely detailed. Perhaps just cat's whisker rolled off on top but pretty damn consisent and strong througout. Well worth the dough, especially if purchased from the guy here on the 'Gon selling them out of Europe.
triode
263 posts
 
Agree in every respect with 4yanx, including the seller recommendation. A no-brainer at this price.
biomimetic OP
252 posts
 
Hey - Someone send me an email as to who this is.
More to discover