Ortofon/Dynavector ? cartridge characteristics


I'm looking for my first high-end cartridge. I've been told that to match my tube preamp, tube amp and TriPlanar arm I'd want something vivid, dynamic and with tight bass. Any suggestions ? I do mostly vocal, opera and chamber music.
Budget up to 4K. Thanks
dr_john
I would call Kevin Hayes at VAC and ask him which tap the 70/70 tends to sound best with - I can never remember, but I think it may be the 8 Ohm tap. I use the 8 Ohm tap because my speakers average between 6 to 10 Ohms. I've used the 4 Ohm taps for other speakers and always had success, but I would ask the question and in any event give 8 Ohms a try - my recollection is that the Sophia is relatively easy to drive (especially for a Wilson), and the output transformers on the amp are very high quality (that amp will drive 2 Ohm loads).

As for the Transparent Reference, they are certainly a fine cable, but I know that Kevin does not like speaker cables with network boxes with his amps. If you have anything else laying around, you may want to give them a shot. I've used Kimber Select all-silver and all-copper, the surprise being that the all-copper, which is comparatively much cheaper, was nearly as good as the all-silver. For the last five years, I've run Jena Symphony, which is the best match I've found.

Regarding Soundsmith, my suggestion is to call Peter Ledermann (he is "Soundsmith") and just talk to him. As noted above, he's one of the lovely guys in audio and he's not a salesman - he'll tell you what he thinks will work best, regardless of cost. He's a great person to talk to anyway, as he is also one of the few extremely knowledgeable people in audio (he's a former research scientist with IBM). Telephone is 914 739 2885 - wait for the options and then dial "9" to talk to Peter. Tell him Drake told you to call.

Good luck.
Oh thank you so much. I will try the 8-ohm tap and then maybe some cable loaners from The Cable Company - and definitely will call Peter. I've heard conflicting input about the Dyna XV-1 - that it's too heavy for the TriPlanar and gets ragged on the top as a result. If only I could find an A90 languishing on a shelf somewhere.
Heard feedback that the XV1 is too heavy for the TriPlanar and gets ragged up top. 11 grams is about its max.
I'd want something vivid, dynamic and with tight bass. Any suggestions ?

Lyra Delos is a remarkable cartridge. Would be my choice in that price range.
XV1 is too heavy for the TriPlanar and gets ragged up top

LOL! Some one either depends too much on resonant frequency numbers, doesn't know how to set this combination up with proper selection of the supplied counterweights, or there is another issue in their system.

Best of luck in your search.