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CartageRrecommendations, totally lost.

I am looking for some cartage recommendations. Unfortinally whatever dealer I ask seems to know little about vinyl and recommends what he can get some recommend some that are 1200 others recommend some that are 6k so I think the knowledge base is better here. I am looking for kind of the sweet spot price wise towards the higher end I listen to vocals, classical and jazz mostly but anything could wind up spinning one night depending on who is over and how much I have had to drink. My system is a Basis Debut, Vector4, to Aesthetix IO phono stage to Aesthetix preamp and Vandersteen 7 speakers. Since I have only herd a few cartages in totally different systems I am a bit lost.
programmergeek
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
A few years ago, after owning and enjoying cartridges by Benz, Koetsu, van den Hul and Shelter, I was encouraged to try a Lyra Argo i by an audio friend. Ever since then I have become a fan of their designs and now have both an Argo and a Helikon. Their line-contact styli track better than anything I have experienced before and bring forth detail that I never heard with other brands. Lyra is my recommendation in the MC line up, given your nice system. When my Helikon and Argo are finally "toast" I plan to replace with Kleos and Delos carts. I'm sure there are other excellent cartridge brands, but I can only speak from personal experience.
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
As an owner of Vandy 7s, you should get a cartridge that is worthy of that speaker. I've gone through my own cartridge tsouris and am hesitant to make a recommendation. The problem with cartridges is that there are so many out there, it's hard to make an intelligent choice. So your confusion is totally understandable. I've gone through 4 cartys before seettling on what I have now.

But here's what I will recommend. John Rutan at Audio Connection in Verona NJ is a dealer for Vandersteen. Audio Research too. That says something. His member feedback is impeccable. I suggest calling John and asking his advice. Good luck.
inna
7,867 posts
 
One voice in me says Lyra, another says Air Tight. I would try both.
programmergeek OP
322 posts
 
I know John well that is where I got my Sevens and most of my equipnment he was over my house last week mater a fact. He is an expert at matching systems. As I stated though one dealer is one dealer opionion. and has a great ear. He does't have thousounds upon thousands of dollars in chartages laying around to AB so this board is more valuable for that type of information.
dre_j
159 posts
 
I have setup multiple cartridges on that arm. It can handle nearly anything you throw at it. Being unsure of your sound preferences prevents me from making an informed recommendation on a cartridge. Even with a recommendation, I'd still suggest getting a listen to the cartridge if possible. Perhaps a conversation is in order.

Dre
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