Cartridge Recommendation

I have an excellent ZYX 4D-G/SB cartridge barely broken in that is very detailed and musical. It's also very extended in the high frequencies. It is for sale here on Audiogon for a very attractive price if you're interested.

Jarrett,

What is the gain of your phono stage? The Myajima cartridges have a low output of only 2 or 2.3 Mv. I would say that without gain of at least 70 db in your phono stage, you might have perceived weakness in dynamics. I have heard this cartride at RMAF in two systems the last two years and it has always been very dynamic. Are you adjusting for VTA? How about cartridge loading?

Phono stage has 68dB gain. I have tried all sra from having the headshell dead level to having the rear of the arm elevated 12mm higher than the headshell. Loading has been from 250 ohms to 700 ohms with about 5 settings in between.

What did you have before, and what did you think of the sound of that cartridge? Do you have any issues with other sources (CD, iPod, etc.)? I am wondering if you are certain that your issues lie entirely with the cartridge and not some other part of the system.

Also, if you are migrating to headphones, you might want to hold off on any changes until you get the phones. I have Stax 007 Omega II Mk.1 phones. These can be just a touch bright and a little thin in the upper bass/lower midrange. It might be the case that your current cartridge would work with that kind of balance. I have heard that the SR-009 is even brighter sounding than the 007. I use a Blue Hawaii Special Edition amp with my phones.