Cartridge Recommendation

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.

Dear jarret: Agree with Larryi: if you will move to headphones then it could be better to wait for before cartridge changes.

Btw, seems to me that your priorities are very " sensitive " because before the Kansui you owned the Ortofon A-90 and I assume that you did it for good reasons on quality performance that does not matched your analog source priorities and now the Kansui. Both very good cartridges so maybe the " problem " could be in the phono stage performance that can be different of what you want and if this is the case then headphones or not that unmatched priorities will continue. IMHO I think you need to evaluate where in your system could be a " trouble " about.

regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Have you contacted Steve Dobbins? Presumably he sold you his Technics/plinth combo and the Reed arm. Perhaps he has some recommendations.

interesting post, I have a 4D-X and I was considering to get another cartridge.
How would you compare the A90 versus the miyamhima?