What Cartridges to use with Triplanar IIV Tonearm?

All sort of music. I am very eclectic in my music choice.

Stringreen and Thomasheisig did indeed get it right, and Dan's question was appropriate, since different cartridges work well (or at least differently!) for different musical and sonic tastes.

For "all sorts" of music, a neutral cartridge like a ZYX or Transfiguration would avoid imposing too much of itself on any particular type of music. I've had a Shelter 901 and to our ears it wasn't really worthy of this top flight arm, which highlighted some of its flaws. It was impressive at first but became tiring rather quickly. A similarly priced ZYX, Tranny or Lyra would do better for the long haul.

A Benz would provide a little more warmth, though the TP would reveal that warmth as artificial coloration as your ears become more attuned. The TP is utterly revealing of everything about a cartridge, both the good and the not so good. It won't smooth over flaws as some arms do. It's an extraordinary instrument for pulling the maximum amount of information from a cartridge and from the grooves, so congratulations on acquiring one of the finest arms in existence.

One vital question no one has yet asked: what phono stage will you be using? That could have a defining impact on which cartridges would even be viable.

Someone Doug and I know also likes the Benz LP. I've owned a Glider for several years as a backup cartridge (it came with a table I once owned, so I kept it). I've not heard an LP but I sure hope it sounds better than the Glider, which it probably does based on who recommended it to me. Maybe someday I'll get a chance to hear an LP.

However, the LP is well over $4K and way over Mikeaudio's budget. IME and IMO, I would not recommend going to the lower priced Benz's unless someone had an achingly bright system.

All,

The thing about a Triplanar mounted on a good turntable reminds me of the old Fred Astaire movies. Fred didn't need Cid Cherise to create the illusion of working with a great partner, although Cid was one of the best (RIP Cid).

Fred could can dance with a coat rack and make you believe that it took dancing lessons. Similarly, a Triplanar on a good turntable will make an awful lot of otherwise pedestrian cartridges sound good.

Some thoughts:

1. The venerable Denon DL-103r. Palasr and Salectric have written some provocative comments about this combination. I cataloged some of their comments on Audiogon in this thread:

http://www.galibierdesign.com//phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=17

Yes, it's lacking in the audiophile tricks, but delivers the musical goods. Worst-case, you have a backup (after future upgrades) that shames many $1K cartridges.

2. Soundsmith rebuild of the Denons. Peter Ledderman is quickly gaining a well deserved reputation. I have yet to try one of these rebuilds.

3. Ortofon SPU Royal N - not your grandfather's SPU - a modern cartridge with an extreme line contact stylus profile and vivid tone colors (without robbing the top end in the manner that the vintage, conical stylus SPU's do). This is Frank Schroeder's favorite Ortofon, BTW and I agree.

4. Dynavector 17D3 (disclaimer - I sell these, so take this recommendation with a grain of salt).

5. Artisan - my buddy at Artisan audio is OEM-ing some Swiss-made cartridges in the $400-$600 price range.

About the Benz LP which I realize is out of your price range. Yes, the top line Ebony bodied Benz breaks with the tradition of a bloated mid-bass which draws attention away from unbearably bright systems. It is a cartridge I could live with for a very long time.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier