Transfiguration Orpheus - Has anyone tried it ?

Actually, K-horns were made to exactly the same dimensions over their 55 (so far) year life, and the major evolution of the drivers and horns seems to have stabilized by the later '60's, so that the real differences seem to have become (1) the successive crossover models and (2) the tendency of Xover capacitors to deteriorate as they age. Any crossover over 20 yrs. old needs to have its caps "freshened" i.e., replaced, and I have heard one rather bad-sounding pair that needed it (sounded great afterward). There are a number of folks on the forum who either make a newer design of xovers, or keep the design the same but replace the caps and maybe a few other things. So I wouldn't expect even a 70's, let alone a 60's K-horn to sound up to snuff without that being done.

And, from what I've seen on the forum, it's very rare for a 60's vintage to show up without scratches, water marks, peeled-off veneer, grill cloth in shreds, and the like. Mine are in very fortunate shape.

No, I am actually not familiar with analog threads -- do you mean on Audiogon? I'm not even sure how to get there. But, this has been a very civilized, knowledge-ridden experience, and I'm grateful. Anyway, I have ALWAYS believed that the sound sources are critical, and none more so than cartridge transducers. So far, I think the Orpheus is in a very high class -- higher than any other I've heard, anyway.

Yeah, yeah, dermatology...my father thought that dentistry was ideal, so I know your son's feelings about that so-so prestige/regular-hours bit!

I'll try to find the Audiogon analog forums --

Many thanks,
Larry

Kha,

Can you give us more detailed and up to date thoughts on how the Orpheus compares to the Zyx Universe.

Thanks,

Andrew

Larry,

Reb1208 speculated that the Orpheous offers a different sound. That sound would probably go in the direction of more speed and less warmth/bloom than the Temper V/W.

Have you found this to be true with the Orpheus?

gdpowers_7@hotmail.com,

What was your impression of the warmth/bloom differences between your Temper W and Larry's Orpheus?

Andrew

A further update from my friend who has an Orpheus. Note that he has superb ears and I value his judgement. The comments are somewhat general but, he certainly gets his message across.

"I was not expecting this kind of improvement at all with the Orpheus, since the Temper V is so good, but it kicks the V's ass and doesn't look back. Might be the best all around cartridge I have ever heard...at any price. There are Koetsu lovers out there who will still stick by their $10K+ carts, but I don't even know about that. This thing is amazing."

Sorry for not coming back earlier. BTW you need to remove the antispam “outthisbit” part of my email address to send an email.

To put my comments in perspective I should say that I have been using a Colibri for the last 2 years or so and to be honest it was only my itchiness for change that set me looking elsewhere. The Colibri has not really put a foot wrong other than the occasional bad tracking.
I did manage to try out an Orpheus and I must say that it’s a great performer but being a row D type of person I was never totally satisfied with it although I have a feeling it may be one of those cartridges that would have gradually won me over.
With the itchy feeling for change persisting I then tried out the Decca London Reference for a week and I now own one. This cartridge was not easy to live with straight out of the box though, it was totally different to the demonstraightor, very hard sounding, with no finesse. I was beginning to think that I would be going back to the Colibri but I persisted with the run-in process. Now that it has about 30 hours on it the sound has just started to change, almost overnight, so may be it will stay but I think it needs another 50 hours or so before I will know for sure. But…. the Colibri is very special.