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Cartridge and step up / riaa for TW Acustic Raven

Hi!

I hope you all are well :)

If everything gets together I will buy a TW Acustic Raven One with a Graham Phantom II in the new year. The next step is to buy a cartridge and phono amp.

My equipment consist of Wilson Sophias II, Burmester 032 integrated amp, Burmester 061 cd player, Nordost Tyr interconnects and speaker cables, Thor powerdistributor with Nordost Brahma powerlines. In addition to this I have a Revox B77 mk2 reel to reel player.

The Burmester sound is in many ways similar to McIntosh, but slightly more on the ying side. The sound is clear and open, with a wonderful mids. The treble is smooth and detailed. The bottom is dynamic and deep, but more running with the flow than with a slam. The bigger 911 mk3 amp is more detailed in the bottom. But the price level is different too.

So I have to combine a cartridge and phono amp to this. I play all kind of music, since I am both is a talent buyer for rock pop festivals and a consultant for the national arts council regarding music (all kinds). So I listen a lot to music through the week.

I like dynamic open detailed open sound, but I do not like it overly analytical if that means too much forward in its presentation.

I like the sound in my system at the moment. However, I have to do something with my listening room, but thats another story. Its an ongoing process as we know!

My budget at this point will be approx. USD 3,000 for the phono amp and USD 1,500 for the cartridge. Maybe step later on.

The dealer of TW Acustic has reccommended Koetsu and Air Tight.

Thanks for your help!

Cheeers, ToffenG

toffeng
downunder
1,329 posts
 
I agree with Phill777 - the dyna XX-2 & EAR 834P will sound great.

I do not recommend the Miyajima Shilabe cartridge - it has little life and is quite a boring sound.
Two of my audiobuddies bought based on the 10 audio review and wasted their money and have sold their 3 Miyajima cartridges - You will find that the US distributor will buy the 2nd hand cart's to keep them off audiogon and maintain the illusion.

cheers
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
The Shilabe is one of the most overpriced cartridges on the market. Yuk.

IMO
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Shilabe is one of the most overpriced cartridges on the market. Yuk

Well, they only do what others do, too.
When you want avoid that, you have to avoid Koetsu (all, what a low performer), the new Zyx pricings, Air Tights, Benz, Shelters...
Cartridges have the highest profit in general (with cables &speakers)
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>12-18-09: Syntax
Well, they only do what others do, too.<<

So what's your point?

>>Cartridges have the highest profit in general<<

Irrelevant
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Finally, we put the arguments behind us.

Audiofeil asserted that X is overpriced.

Syntax noted sadly that Y and Z are additional examples, and offered an analytical observation characterizing this phenomenon.

Bill responded that broadening his observations was pointless and that analyzing them was irrelevant.

For the second time in a week I find myself agreeing with Audiofeil. Must be the eggnog.
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