Anyone tried Soundsmith VPI Zephyr MI Cartridge

Just set mine up this evening on the Scout with std JMW9. Like Macdadtexas, bass slam is super. Sounds big. Real simple set up and tracks as far as I can tell, great.

This is good news for all VPI users wanting something that will work and sound upscale.

What do you folks NOT like about the Zephyr?

Thanks,
Robert

The one other major plus is that you can actually call and talk to Peter at Soundsmith about set up. He is super informative and nice. Try that with most any other mfg.

My eyes are burning today from staying up way too late listening to the newly installed Zephyr.

Macdadtexas,
Did you speak with Peter regarding the sonic differences between the Aida and the Zephyr?

Both are the same price but utilise very different cantilever/stylus arrangements. Aida has the SS's topline Ruby cantilever/optimised line contact while the Zephyr uses and Aluminium/Elliptical setup. Zephyr has much lower compliance at 10µm/mN vs 22 µm/mN for the Aida (or 28 µm/mN with the high compliance option).

I'm thinking the low compliance Zephyr would be more appropriate for my Phantom arm, but I really like how the ruby cantilever/optimised line contact sounds on my SS retipped 103R.

Any thoughts?

System Details

I did not speak about the differences. I just assumed since he worked with VPI on it, it would sound great with the Classic. It does.