SME 20/2 SME V or Triplanar VII?

You can get a brand new Transfiguration Orpheus for $2650 (msrp $5000) Or a Transfiguration Temper V or W for $2100 (msrp $4000) and you'll have the same stellar performance IMO as the Dyna or ZYX (maybe better ;--) BTW, Transfiguration makes the Nightingale cartridge exclusively for the Graham Robin arm (I think it is) so if you've settled on a Phantom, there should be a lot of synergy there. Check w/ Graham.

Nsgarsh,do you know what the "trade up" to an Orpheus would be if one has a perfect Transfig Temper -V?Obviously I would be interested at a future point(I can't even listen now,as my amp is down),but I have a friend with a "V",who could "GO" at any time.Thanks!

Best!

Garsh, Speedy, I have no idea about trade-ins, since my "dealer" doesn't take trades. But you should have no trouble selling a W or a V on the Gon. Tranny cartridges seem to go very fast. I'd have to know a lot more about the Orpheus' design changes/improvements before I'd throw more money in that direction though. I think my Temper W is a pretty amazing device, both sonically and in terms of engineering elegance.

What you need to do right now is lease an amp from somebody ;--)

SirSpeedy,

Why not just buy a used amp, here or on ebay, then sell it when the Rowland comes back? It would probably net out at virtually zero cost.

I will be comparing the Universe to the XV-1s in the next 2-3 weeks. I will post my impressions. I have been told the Universe is excellent on classical. The XV-1s can be had for near the price of the Trannys indicated above.