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Analogue Synergy....Which is the best Cartridge?

I'm getting back slowly into vinyl with the hopes of upgrading my Linn Axis/Basic Plus tonearm in the next couple years. I recently acquired the PS Audio GCPH phono preamp for my system because I thought it offered the most flexibility in terms of upgrading into a wide variety of cartridges. I'm currently using the Linn K9 cartridge.

I want to upgrade my cartridge next and am looking at the following:
Sumiko Blackbird
Shelter 501
Benz Micro Glider
Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood
Dynavector Karat

I've not personally heard any of these cartridges (only read the reviews) but I'm leaning towards the Shelter 501 primarily because it seems to offer the most bang for your buck.

Given my current Linn Basic Plus arm, which cartridge would allow me the best match for my current system. My upgrade path will likely include the VPI Scout with Signature 9 arm in the future.

Can any audiophiles out there with knowledge about cartridge output, tonearm mass, and phono preamps suggest a good match for me? My associated electronics include Aesthetix Calypso, YBA Alpha 2 amplifier, and mentioned earlier, the PS Audio GCPH phono preamp.

Another question, some cartridges have lo, medium and high outputs to match with a wide variety of phono stages. Are the lower output cartridges supposed to sound better?

I would appreciate your input!
Thank you!
calgarian
calgarian5355
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
This one's for Doug Deacon: Them low output moving coils owe quite a lot of their performance to the MASSIVE bodies that absorb resonances. A Vinyl Asylum inmate from Belgium has just received one of my non-resonant, Caribbean Moca wood blocks. The man makes his own low output moving coil cartridge bodies and will report back after Christmas. The moderator of the vinyl circle in AudioCricle was also sent a complimentary block to make DIY versions of the audiophile-priced 'isolator' and hand them free of charge to the guys. Too bad you passed on my offer.

Stay tuned...
tonyptony
627 posts
 
"Second, your Basik Plus is a low mass tonearm"

Doug, I'm not sure I agree with this.

To Calgarian...

Is the arm the Basik LVX+? The LVX has an effective mass of 12.5 grams, according to the data on Vinyl Engine and Cartidgedb. The LVX+ has (as I understand it) a fixed headshell in contrast, so I would expect it's mass to be on the order of 11.5 grams or so. This puts the range of catridge masses at about 8-12 grams (with mounting hardware), and compliance from about 10-19, to put the combination with the LVX+ at an acceptable resonance point. (You could go with a much lighter or heavier cart but that would skew the needed compliance into a very narrow range.)

So strictly from a matching POV all the carts you have listed should work (including the 103R mentioned by Downunder). The GCPH has a maximum gain of 60, so you may want to reconsider the Karat very carefully. It has a very low output (.23mV or .2mV depending on the model) and depending on the total gain of your system the GCPH may not be able to drive it high enough.

I'm not sure how the Copland and YBA sound together, but I do have the 103R and can agree with Downunder and Cello. It plays well past its price point. It s non-fatiguing without being "dull" in any way, and as musical as all get out. It is not the most transparent cart ever, and it loses to more advanced stylii in dragging the last little bit of detail out of the groove. But it is just a great sounding cart.

Now, having said all this I will agree with Doug in that, if you're going to upgrade anyway you should probably do it before getting a new cart (assuming the K9 is still usable).
calgarian5355 OP
146 posts
 
Thank you everyone for your overwhelming responses!

Dougdeacon: I'm pleased you concur with my choice of phono preamp. Originally, I was going to go with a fairly simple phono preamp like the Project, Rega, Creek, Bellari, or Grado units, but opted to increase my budget (for fear of catching the vinyl upgrade bug!) and get a phono preamp that would accomodate most cartridges and also have XLR output to my Aesthetix Calypso.

I'm curious what ZYX cartridges you'd recommend at the price point (or below) of those models I've listed.

I've had mixed input from audiogon members as to the level of performance of my Linn Axis. Some seem to think that it's a fairly decent table that would compete at the level of a VPI Scout...where others think that the Axis is an entry level table. What's surprising is that I paid around $1200 Cdn for the table over 15 years ago...and the VPI Scout costs only $1650 US today..and that's including one of their model 9 tonearms (I like the upgradeability of the Scout as well!).

My K9 is in very good condition still. I've babied my equipment from day one and should I decide to sell my Axis/Basik Plus/K9 combo, I should be able to get decent resale for it.

Thank you for your response. I'll certainly consider upgrading my table first before the cartridge. I'd be very interested to hear how the K9 sounds on the VPI Scout.

By the way, is there a website with Turntable/tonearm/cartridge basics 101? It looks like I need to do more research!

To Tonyptony: My tonearm is simply the "Linn Basik Plus". I think this tonearm was the latest release of the LVX and LVX+ tonearms before they updated their entire entry tonearm lineup with the Akito arm. My tonearm does not have a removeable headshell.

Out of all the cartridges I've listed in my original thread, my first choice was probably the Shelter (simply because of the great reviews I've read about it's amazingly smooth midrange response). As you and Doug have both agreed, I'll probably now upgrade the table/tonearm first before taking the final plunge on the cartridge.

My "system" is not updated and I no longer own the Copland CVA 306 six channel preamp (it is an AMAZING preamp though!). I have since returned to a two channel preamp with the Aesthetix Calypso. I still have the YBA amplifier.

I'll save up a bit more for the turntable/tonearm. In the meantime, my turntable with the K9 is up and running with my PS audio GCPH. I can describe the sound as being smooth, but it lacks detail in the treble and the bass is a bit round and overly soft. If I were to compare the sound to my Ayre C-5xe Universal player, my digital source would definitely be the winner. It's not a fair comparison though.

I was thinking that the cartridge was the leakest link in my vinyl rig, which was my reason for initiating this thread. I may have to pick your brains again after I upgrade my turntable!

Thanks again for all your responses!
calgarian
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Actually animal you're way off again. I used conical and elliptical stylii for many years beginning in the late 1950's through the 1970's. All of those records play marvelously today and show no "shortened life span" despite hundreds (and some thousands) of plays as you improperly imply. Your records should sound this good but you'll never know given your current arrangement. These albums have no noise, no pops, no clicks. Why? Because they were always kept clean and played with quality and properly aligned equipment. The shape of the stylus regarding record wear is basically immaterial so long as proper precautions and/or implementations are taken.

The Denon is a great cartridge. It will outplay many of the line contact cartridges all day long and into the night. There is much more to a cartridge than stylus shape. You really need to be more careful about disseminating such info; the unaware might actually believe you.
psychicanimal
1,738 posts
 
Moving from your Basik to a Scout is a lateral move. That's why I wrote about Mr. Linn technician, Van Alstine & others who've installed outboard power supplies.

I can describe the sound as being smooth, but it lacks detail in the treble and the bass is a bit round and overly soft. If I were to compare the sound to my Ayre C-5xe Universal player, my digital source would definitely be the winner.

Lack of detail in the treble is due to the cartridge, the softness in the bass mostly due to stylus drag effects. It does not really matter you have a very good transport/player--all CDs/SACDs have *perfect* pitch and your ears will notice that even if you listen to a cheap player bought at a department store. CD bass is deep and tight; to rival this a TT would need excellent speed/rotational stability and you will not get that with a Scout either. Far from it.

The KAB website has a LOT of information on vinyl playback. Though mostly geared to 78 RPM record collectors it is nonetheless up to date. Remember, a fool and his money are soon parted.

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