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Top phono cartrige to match jfrech's system ...

Please click on my system link first. I'm looking for a cartrige to upgrade from my Helikon. Also, I'm going on a buisness trip to Japan soon. I'm hoping I can buy something over there just a little cheaper-but this is not a requirement.

My system weaknesses are, just a little cool in the midrange, just a little hot on the top end and images could be a little rounder. Strengths are excellent detail, excellent bass definition, very quiet, transparent etc. I'm using Amperex 7308's in the phono stage. Telefunkens sound better...but are noisier. Bad trade off I think.

The only other possible upgrade is to a Aesthetix Rhea or Io. Maybe even the depth charge cap upgrade on my P10SE. My BAT Phono is great with outputs around .5mv...anything much lower and I'll have to use the transformers. Which I think cut down on quality some vs going direct to the input tubes.

My thoughts, and I wish I could audition these in my system, but I doubt I can...

Lyra Titan
Koetsu Rosewood Signature Platinum
Dynavector XV-1 or XV-1s

Any others? Any comments on why I'll like/dislike the above? Thanks for your help !
128x128jfrech
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rauliruegas
13,101 posts
 
Dear Jfrech: As I told you all these cartridges are a great ones and all of them goes fine with the SME IV ( I alredy try on it ). But the Koetsu RSP and the Dynavector are low output cartridges and I think that the Titan goes better with your preamp because is a medium output MC and this cartridge can correct your " system weaknesses ". I can tell you that any one of these cartridges can do the same for your system. The Helikon is not in the same league, these cartridges are far away from it ( in the past I own a Helikon ). BTW, great audio system.
Best wishes and always enjoy the music.
Raul.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Jfrech,
If you're still looking, you might check out the review of the Shelter 90X at:

http://www.10audio.com

It seems like it might be what you're after. The reviewer compared it favorably to both the RSP and the XV-1s.

It's got enough output to address the issue Raul just mentioned. In fact I think Raul's heard the 90x and could give you another firsthand perspective.
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rauliruegas
13,101 posts
 
Hi Jfrech: Tks Doug. As a fact I own the 90X, too, ( I buy this one in place of the 901 that I had it ). As I already told, somewhere in this forum, the 901 is in the HiFi side of music reproduction, the 90X is more refinided but still has a little touch of HiFi cartridge, is a cartridge that always said " I'm here ", it goes with the SME tonearm ?, yes but is not the best match. The 10 Audio review is a little controversial, maybe I put my feedback on it.
Now, if you are a music lover, then you deserves the best in analog sound reproduction and you have to go for the Koetsu RSP or the Dynavector, if you compare the sound reproduction of these cartridges against the live music
you will hear that you are " nearest " of this target. The 90X sound is impresive but in some ways un-natural ( I'm not saying that is a bad cartridge ). In absolute music terms the Titan, the Benz-Micro LP and others cartridges will be a really good second choice, and not because these cartridges are in second place, no, ( in some circunstances are the first choice ) this is what I think and this is my experiences. You can't have a perfect cartridge, there are many issues and facts around it and many of them are out of control, everyday live is a mix of trade-offs, and the analog sound reproduction is no exeption.
Always enjoy the music.
Raul.
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