best cartridge for 60,70's classic rock, folk ....

I chose the XV-1s because I also listen to jazz, country, classical, etc., so I wanted a cartridge that sounded good all around. To some extent it was a compromise, but now I'm glad I did not buy a Universe. That would have been overkill for me.

Any Benz. You will be happy with any of the recommended cartridges on these posts, but if you are critical, you must listen for youself.

Tjnif,

Both the cartridges you mentioned are spectacular for hard rockin'. Which one you'd prefer depends on your tastes and perhaps on how much non-rock you listen to...

The Atmos's incredible slam outrocks most cartridges by a mile, but it still retains more of the trademark ZYX clarity and resolution than any ZYX short of a UNIverse. This makes it really good for non-amplified genres too. Read the reviews by my signature for detailed impressions of the Airy 2, Airy 3, Atmos and UNIverse.

The XV-1S is also a great rock cartridge, perhaps a bit more single purpose than the Atmos. The Dyna's punch and power are similar to the ZYX but it's rougher around the edges and less transparent - great for rock but somewhat less satisfying for other genres.

As others have said, a vintage Garrard, Dual or Thorens with a good MM might also serve you well. Exceptional high fidelity and clarity are not kind to the engineering quality of many rock records. You'd also have money left over for those DIY botanical mood supplements!

Doug has a great point here. The Atmos allows me to hit the rock when I want, but I certianly am not there all the time. More often than not, I enjoy, intimate folk, blues and jazz club feels and the Atmos clarity, as pointed out by Doug, allows me to go there equally as well.

So I appreciate the versatility of listening to an excellent cart that can also rock when I need it too.

Of course, I don't have any money left over except for cheap whiskey, so thats a trade off I suppose.

Glad you chimed in, Doug. You and Paul are the only people I know who have heard both the Atmos and XV-1s.