VPI Classic and ZYX Airy 3 X SB...good match?

i can not comment on how the zyx cartridges match up with the vpi tonearm but i have the airy 3 and UNIverse and have run with them for several years. The airy replaced a VDH frog then i got the opportunity to snag a UNIverse. I use them with my Maplenoll tables which has a airbearing linear tracking tonearm. I am currently using the UNIverse on my apollo and the airy 3 on my ariadne signature(both silver version vs copper windings). I run both through my zyx artisan phono. I agree with doug pretty closely about the neutral nature of these cartridges. I have not tried a copper coil but if i get the change, i will try to snag one of the UNIverse that Sorasound still has. I will say the airy is very good but the UNIverse is better especially on jazz. The new Bright Mississippi album by touissant will get you looking for the guys in the room. I can not comment much on classical because i just do not listen to much classical. The airy 3 does need to be tune in with the correct vta and vtf but once tuned, will do a great job for you. The one thing i will warn you about the zyx cartridges (at least the two i am using)is they have small stylus and will find every clump of dirt on your records so be prepared to clean your records if you have never used this type of stylus(i think its called a microridge type of cut). Hope this helps you in your decision

Thank you.
unfortunately I can't go for the Universe as it is too expensive at the moment and that is why I was deciding between A3 and D4/Atmos.

If the Atmos has the same family sound of the A3 and the Universe, but it is an half way between the A3 and Universe, than it might be a good compromise for the price and an excellent choice for a little more money.

Unfortunately I have read some posts on the net that weresaying that the Atmos has a different sound from the other ZYX which makes it work better with Electronic/Rock music and that will be more generous with not good recordings which is a characteristic of a low level pick up IMHO.
While the A3 and the Universe will tell you more about the record and the system and that is basically what I am looking for.
But the I read that the Atmos will outperform the A3 on all the aspects so I get confused.
If anybody could give more thoughts in this regard....maybe it will help...perhaps people who switched from the A3 to the D4 and mostly listens to acoustic/vocal music.

another cart you can consider which i have heard for a length of time w/ the Classic TT is the Shelter 501, Shelter 5000.
Both are great !!
Good luck.

thanks for the advice. I know they are good carts but they belong to a different league of the 4D or Airy 3 I suppose.

Speaking of Atmos and 4D there is a webpage that explaines differences between the two models

http://www.kosmic.us/zyx-4d.html

section 4D & ATMOS FACTS

From what they describe the 2 pick ups seem to be different and seems like since they discontinued the Universe as well, the new 4D might be really close to the Universe.

Unless somebody runs a comparison between the 4D and the Atmos and Universe....I haven't find any information in this regard.