ZYX Airy 3 or Atmos

Dear Gallant_diva: That try other MM/MI cartridges that you have no listen to, like the ones in the links.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

GD,

Remember, I cautioned even about going so high as Atmos with your current gear. I wouldn't consider UNIverse unless you're committed to upgrading table, arm and phono stage. It wouldn't sound "bad", probably, but you wouldn't begin to get your money's worth either. The magic I seductively described requires investments of both money and time.

Regarding Raul's MM campaign, I bought an Ortofon on his recommendation but haven't had time yet to mount it up. Another project...

I agree the ultimate test is what our own ears tell us. Reading what others have heard can only guide us so far.

I find it helps if strangers explain their perspectives, just as you asked about vocals. That's why I blah, blah on so. Paul and I have learned that our perceptions and tastes differ markedly from many other audiophiles, so others need to know where we're coming from. Likewise, Paul and I have developed fairly reliable filters for assessing reports from audiophiles who's systems we've personally heard. When A'gon member XXXX tells us something sounds "cleaner and more detailed", we may understand it's been stripped of natural harmonics and sounds barren and artificial. But we would only know this if we've heard his system or the component he's describing. Reports from strangers are harder to assess.

Dracula teeth? Yum... do you sparkle in sunlight?

Seriously, we live in central CT and have hosted enjoyable music/audio visits from quite a few Audiogoners over the years. Some of them are now poorer in the bank but richer in the music. You'd be welcome if that would help.

Hell Raul: many thanks for your suggestions. Just a quick question: Did you listen to the Airy 3 or atmos?

Doug: I am inclined to go for one of these ZYX cartridges even though I am pretty cool (in fact more it would be more appropriate to say that I am learned through hard way) when it comes to audio purchases. As you said it is our own listening that is the final test. I am through the stages of making mistakes based on recommendations made by people. On top of that my system is so ruthlessly and shamelessly revealing that it drops the pants all the way to the ground with no thread left to conceal anything. So I must listen to something in my system before I buy. On the one hand, every high-end audio equipment is great (because it makes someone happy). On the other hand, every audio equipment is junk (because it may not make me happy). So what matters is what is junk and not junk *for me*. So it is is all relative.

For the very same reason I am only considering the UNIVERSE not really deciding (because I have no listened to it). I listened to the Airy 3 and hence it is on the top of my list. I did not listen to the Atmos but it is still on the top as well because of its similarity with the Airy 3 and with knowledgeable people like yourself giving detailed comparisons (that part I take very well). You are right about others providing only guidance. And I would be curious aout Raul’s recommendations, especially the Ortofon. But I must listen to something before I buy. By the way I stopped reading magazines 4-5 years ago and I look for a review only for some reference now because I think I know my own taste more than a reviewer does.

I will be glad to stop by if I am in CT area. Yes, I am committed to improving my vinyl but slowly and only if I can listen to something first. One of the best sounds I heard have been with the Rockport Sirius TT, one was at Mike Levine’s place. So vinyl is under consideration but I am also looking at tape decks.