For a completely indepent viewpoint,not owning the UNIV,but having heard it,for what I considered a lengthly listening session,it WAS/IS a very special design.Please don't get into what I,myself,was guilty of(in a somewhat related matter)!!
The cartridge contenders,for the CROWN are plentiful,but I didn't need to hear all of them(I have heard quite a few,though),to allow me to feel that this design is special.My friend just bought an Airy 2 and loves it!He previously had a Sumiko Celebration.A very nice design.
One thing that really showed up with the UNIV,was a spectacular sense of high freq air,and body.I have heard a load of great H/F reproducing products,but the UNIV really "nails" it!
We didn't play as much deep bass laden material for me to ascribe the same attributes to those frequencies,but I see no reason (since everything was quite well balanced)why it would not be stellar there,as well.Though this could open the floor to questions regarding bass,"sometimes you just know when something is right".This was the case,for me,regarding the bass issue.
Sorry,but that was my perception of that cartridge,as it appeared to sound,in a given system!!I think it is an accurate description,without going into a full blown review.You can see a really good one,on the "review" threads.
Now there are some new designs about to make it to the market,that will be fascinating to learn about.These little transducer/treasures are SO much fun to learn about,as they are the "least" hernia inducing component we can acquire,and as I am now keyboarding this with a wicked case of the flu,I care not to think about anything requiring much effort,at the moment.So,please,if anyone cares to ridicule the validity of my opinions,on this design,please remember that I cannot feel much worse than I do already!!
Best!
