What Cartridges to use with Triplanar IIV Tonearm?


What cartridges have you used successfully with the Triplanar VII Tonearm? I have heard the ZYX cartridges works well. Do you know of any others?

Thanks.
mikeaudio
I have read many times regarding the infamous Benz warmth. I have a number of cartridges, and prefer the Benz Ebony LP, and/or Benz Ebony H for their musicality, their terrific tracking ability, their ruggedness, and the Benz liberal trade in policy. These 2 Benzes throw a huge soundstage with great depth, killer lows and airy sweet highs. There are cartridges that under A/B testing sound more detailed, however these 2 Benz cartridges sound most like music to me = I am a professional violinist.
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
I don't have a Phono Stage yet. I am looking for one as well. Any suggestions for a Solid State phono stage would also be appreciated. BTW, I heard that Triplanar was demoed using Ortofon Jubilee by the owner of Triplanar last year at one of the Audio Shows. Has anyone heard the combination?

Thanks.
The Jubilee is nice, but the SPU Royal-N is better and less expensive. It doesn't work quite as well with arms on the lower side of average however, and hence the Jubilee's popularity. The SPU Royal-N and Triplanar are a match made in heaven, as is this cartridge with the Micro Seiki MAX-282.

Triplanar used to exhibit with van den Hul, but has switched as of late. I'd be very surprised however to hear that he's switched to the Jubilee, however.

Is there a reason why you're limiting yourself to solid state? Getting solid state to sound good takes some doing - as with Raul's Essential. This is the only solid-state phono stage I've heard that I could live with, but that's just me. Unfortunately this comes at a price that is out of your realm (5-figures).

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier