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Cartridge downgrade?

I have been using a Shelter 90x with my SSM for several years happily but it's getting on in age and I've been contemplating what to replace it with when it's time. My table has been upgraded to reference status(super platter, mini feet, 10.5i arm, rim drive). I've thought about many of the likely suspects that might go with this combo(Lyra Titan vs. Skala, Shelter Harmony vs. 9000, Air Tight PC-1, Dynavector XV-1s) I wonder though if I'm just assuming these higher level cartridges are better than mid range ones. In particular, I wonder if I should try out VPI's version of the Dynavector 20x and save $3-4 thousand. Just wondered if anyone has tried a similar so called "down grade" and been happy. Is it possible that these high priced cartridges are overrated or a I just being cheap?
sonofjim
marty_t
23 posts
 
www.sound-smith.com Do a search, lots of good comments. Peter replaces the stylus with a line contact stylus.
mosin
410 posts
 
Speaking of Soundsmith, the Voice cartridge is astonishing for the money. It is a moving iron that readily competes with many hi-end moving coils. It would be a downgrade in price, but not in performance. In performance, it might be an upgrade. If Frank Schroeder will personally put it on his on Reference SQ tonearm, that should tell you something.
warjarrett
105 posts
 
Would anyone like to venture a guess about the differences in sound between these two cartridges, in the same audio system? Of course, internal impedance is quite different, 38 ohms and 15 ohms, so the 90X must be loaded lower. I would guess 400 ohm load for the LP vs. 150 ohm load for the 90X, for a fair comparison. Maybe higher for people that want more zip in the top-end. So what have other users loaded these cartridges to?
sonofjim OP
557 posts
 
Warjarrett,
I usually load the 90x at 100 ohms. The LP I currently have at 1000 ohms. Both sound great at these levels. That's where I am now and haven't messed around too much with other settings on the Benz. I seem to recall the 90x seeming bright when loaded higher.
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