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ZYX cartridges

Can someone explain to me the heirarchy of ZYX cartridges? I guess I know that the Universe is top of the line (though the Atmos may be even more expensive). But beyond that there seems to be umpteen different variations of the Airy model, called "2", "3", etc, with silver vs copper windings, etc. Since these are said to work well with my Triplanar tonearm, I am thinking of making a purchase, but I am completely confused regarding their product line. Thanks.
lewm
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Lewm,

If you go for an Atmos or UNI:

- choose LO (if you don't have enough gain or can't get impedance between 100 and 200 ohms, don't waste your money on a HO Atmos or UNI - buy a better phono stage)

- go for the SB (or GB if you're feeling flush), the unweighted will sound lightweight and bass-shy on a TriPlanar (maybe part of Redtop's problem - poor equipment matching?)

- go for copper or silver coils depending on your sonic preference (but if you choose silver I won't come over for a listen!)

The Atmos is about as demanding of setup as most other high end carts. The UNI is an order of magnitude more particular, paying big benefits from extremely fine adjustments. It's a pain or a joy, depending on your attitude. Of course as Stltrains found when he tried an Atmos after breaking his UNIverse, it isn't easy to go backwards. The extra effort is worth it.

Don't forget the magic eraser. The ZYX stylus may be #1 in the world for resolution, but it's also #1 in the world for going sonically downhill when even slightly crudded up.

SirSpeedy,

Wish you could make it. Why not make the future son-in-law paint the house? He owes you, right?!

I'm hoping for lots of snow. I'm working again, so I can afford to go skiing! Think snow!!!

Marco,

Don't go away. We need new voices around here. :-)

Doug
piedpiper
753 posts
 
Lewm,

anyone considering an Orpheus should know that there is a brand new lower output model for a bit more money that is significantly more refined, on the top particularly, and still not vanishing low in the output. I've got about 25 hrs on mine and lovin' it. I haven't compared it to the upper end ZYXs.

Dealer disclosure.
rauliruegas
13,129 posts
 
Dear Lewm: If I remember you own the MP-1 from Atmasphere that if I remember too it handle both: MC and MM cartridges, right?

In that case before you put " big money " on a new MC cartridge ( any including the new Transi. ) and due the very good quality performance of your Phonolinepreamp I think that you can try a MM type cartridge, there are several options that IMHO at least even or surpass many of the MC named here.
Well are so inexpensive that you could buy almost 10 of them for the price of one MC. IMHO I think you can't loose about and you can/could enjoy something not only different but better overall.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
lewm OP
13,672 posts
 
thanks, Raul. But I have searched the internet on several occasions for the MMs that you have found to be so excellent, and I have yet to find any of them for sale anywhere. If you can help me find one, I'd give it a listen. I do indeed have an MP1, but mine is heavily modified (by me), so I don't know how it compares to a current production model. As I mentioned to you privately, the phono input stage consists of a cascode built with an MAT02 NPN transistor on the bottom and now an ECC99 on top. Thus I have more gain than a standard MP1 phono stage, almost too much for an MM cartridge, but there are ways to reduce the gain if necessary.
sirspeedy
738 posts
 
Piedpiper,are you referring to a "newly" designed Orpheus,with lower output,and better sound?This would be nice,but I can't find any info on the Profundo web-site.

Thanks
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