Cartridge Recommendations

''Raul's opinions are just that''. The MM thread has more
then 6000 contributions but I can't remember that Raul was
wrong in one single case. Consistent and reliable during this whole thread. I don't agree always with his philosophy but I trust his ears for 100%.
I 'retiped' two Virtuoso's by Axel in Germany. One with pressure fitted nude line stylus in a tapered aluminum cantilever ; the other with the boron cantilever and hyper
elliptical stylus. Among 20 MM carts that I own (AT 180,
Signet 9cl included) those are my best carts. I bought the Virtuoso's because of Raul's recommendation. My advice is to retip by Axel with aluminum cantilever + line stylus
(+/- 160 Euro).
Regards,

With what you save through a retip(If you haven't already): Replace the GCPH's stock fuse, with a HI-FI Tuning Supreme and upgrade the power cord to something with conductors of 10 to 8AWG(preferably silver and NO PVC or vinyl dielectric). You will be very pleasantly surprised.

>>02-27-12: Nandric
but I can't remember that Raul was wrong in one single case.<<

So you agree with Raul 100% of the time?

That's funny.

Anyway, this hobby is all about opinions. We'd all have identical systems otherwise.

In My OPINION

Audiofeil, There are many collisions between Raul and me in different threads but those were never about his carts valuations. The most of us are very thankful for his MM
explorations.

Raul and Nandric, based on MY experience with the Virtuoso and Maestro, I agree with your advice that if the Virtuoso can be fixed, then fix it. I also recommend the Maestro --based on my hands on experience. Sorry Bill, I've been there and done it with both the Virtuoso (V) and Maestro (M). Probably the best MM cartys out there. If you have critically compared the V and M to some MCs that are within the price points of the V and M, or even multiples of the V and M, please share -- politely. But for $1250 for the M (new retail) or the V for new $975 (new retail), I think Clear Audio hit a grand slam home run. That's based on my experience and humble opinion. Btw, I currently use a Sound Smith VPI Zephyr, which is a very nice MI carty, because of compatibility issues. Otherwise, I'd still be driving my vinyl with a Maestro!!!