Bad experience with ZYX AIRY 3

Hi Doug,

I had to wonder whether or not Andre's post was a troll - especially with the thread's title ... not even a question mark at the end. Can one be anymore provocative?

This did give me an opportunity to think out loud however ... about issues I've been working through privately.

Thanks for reminding me that you've found a great phono stage with MC gain.

One thing that continually gets lost in the mix with respect to equipment commentary is the "smile factor". At the end of the day, you either want to listen to your tunes, or you don't. It's really that simple. All of our gear has some flaws in it, and if we focus on that instead of the joy it brings us, we are hopelessly tortured souls.

Obviously, we need to characterize it in some way in order to have some sort of meaningful discussion, but we need to be able to return to answering a very simple binary (thumbs up thumbs down) question.

Rather than drag all of this out with repetitive babble, anyone interested can link over to my Rants page - to a rant entitled "Evaluating Audio Gear - You Shouldn't Have to Get Used to It". The theme is "balance" and avoiding a de-constructionist approach to this stuff. When you start thinking in this way (as opposed to in a holistic way), you are doomed to misery.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier

Thanks guys,one more reason for me to step up the ZYX line,using the FUJI R-100 FS and loving it!Quick question if you can help.How do I decide between,example Airy 2 S and Airy 2 X?Also I own an Aries 2 and JMW10 is the SB option a good idea for improvement?Thanks Mike.

Mike,

I've had the copper and silver UNIverses side-by-side in my system. The silver was slightly slower/smoother on leading edges. It slightly rounded off initial transients. Some people find this sort of thing pleasant. I find it distracting. YMMV.

The copper is more neutral and has more lifelike microdynamics. It does not round off (or exaggerate) transient leading edges. Notes sound like what was cut in the grooves, neither more nor less.

I haven't heard a silver Airy 2 or 3 so I can't be certain this characteristic translates to those models, though I would expect it to. The Airy 2-X is already a somewhat gentle sounding cartridge. Gentling it more might really be too much. OTOH, the Airy 3-X is very free and powerful. Gentling it a touch could be helpful in some systems.

Whichever coils you choose, the SB option will yield a major improvement on a JMW. Strongly recommended.

Doug

Thanks Doug,I've talked to Mehran and he suggests the "S" just because, I believe ,I told him my preference for music is Jazz and older 70's rock.I haven't quite got to the point of appreciating classical,so I listen to it very little.I do prefer the "warmer" side of things so maybe the silver would be better,decisions decisions.Thanks very much for your response.Mike

Hi

Thank you for your answers .
The Zyx airy 3 seems to be a cartridge wich keeps its promises .

Must be patient...

Regards

André