Any word on the Blue Angel "Mantis"?

Dear Flg2001: There is no " agressiveness " like you say there are IMHO only facts.

My advise to you before you go on other big price cartridge is that you try/test that Ortofon M20FL because IMHO till you have that experience you can understand where is the " music ". I know that you are enjoying what you have as ever in the last " 30 years " and that is good, what I'm telling you with all that " agressiveness " ( sorry for that ): is realy pushing you a little to open a new" window " at your home audio system, the MM/MI alternative is something that can/could like you or not ( after hearing it ) but worth to try it, is part IMHO of our own audio learning curve.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Thanks Axel/Raul - As I said I already bought the "Mantis" and, to my ears, it is the best analog reproduction I have had in my system.

I will defintely consider listening to MM/MI in the future since I am open to all options (I am currently listening digital thru mi iPOD (WAV files)/Wadia 170i/Reimyo DAC as well) - so you can tell how "open" I am in this regard.

I am sure there are better options out there - I have learned that system sinergy and balance is a critical factor to obtain great performance - and that does not neccesary mean to pour top dollars at each link.

I would like to thank all who privately or thru this thread shared their opinion, it all served to document my decision for the "Mantis".

Regards,

Fernando

Flg2001
as I said earlier, a 2.2k Mantis (snake-wood or what ever)seems a very good MC pick, and that is MC-fine in every respect.
If it was 5k as advertised by some 'operator(s)' I'd be not so sure of course.
In fact there will be very few, I any MCs at that price point giving you the performance you found.
Visit my recent post on: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&&&&&st450
Starting with: "Lewm, well thank you, --" ... were I gave some impressions of mine on the odd 'MC competition' at this price point and you might be pleased :-)
Axel

Axel - Yeap - I read it last night - very informative! Thanks...

for what it's worth, I was getting ready to pick up a new cartridge and emailed the maker of the blue mantis for a price and options. He responded that he is too busy to take on new business. When asked if he would entertain new business in the future, he did not give me a clear answer as to when I could inquire.

Too bad, I was kind of looking forward to ordering one.