Trans Temp W, Magic Diamond cartridges - comments

FYI Magic Diamond cartridges are a product of MagicMicro, a division of the Swiss company Bluelectric. They are distributed in the US by AXISS Distribution Inc. Copy and paste this long link into your browser to go to their website:

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://www.dietiker-humbel.ch/micromag.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbluelectric%26num%3D50%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26newwindow%3D1%26safe%3Doff%26rls%3DGGLD,GGLD:2003-39,GGLD:en

Actually, the the name is "MicroMagic" (I keep turning the name around, too :) )
Here's a clickable version of Nsgarch's link to the Swiss web site:
http://www.dietiker-humbel.ch/micromag.htm
And with English translation:
dietiker-humbel, as above
And link to a page with photos of the Magic Diamond cartridge:
Photos

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/walker4/headshell.jpg
.

Well, I went with a Transfiguration Temper W. Other candidates were: Allaerts, Colibri, Airy 3, Magic Diamond, and Shelter 90x. My decision was based on four points:

1.) It appeared to have the best build quality. And the fit and finish turned out to be absolutely stunning in the flesh.
2.) It employs the newest design thinking and technology -- a yokeless design using double ring magnets and a special mu metal coil former which increases sensitivity by 30dB.
3.) It had reasonable output voltage (0.5 mV), good compliance (not too high or too low) and nominal loading requirements. There is nothing about this cartridge that is non-standard or requires special accomodation in tonearm or electronics.
4.) I could obtain one new for a very attractive price.

In addition, it requires only a short (30 hour specified) break-in period, due no doubt to the new generation rubber suspension material, which is unaffected by temperature.

So far (one afternoon/evening-worth) , it's performance is
astounding compared to my Frog Gold, but I was expecting as much. I'll write a proper review after 50 or 60 hours. Thanks for all the input -- Raul, Rushton, and Speedy.

Neil

I'm expecting delivery of the new Temper V at .38mv/3.54cm anyday now. All the points you mention above clicked with me. Although, Im much more comfortable with the lower output of the V.

Reb -- congrats, another new Temper owner! Please stay in touch and give us your imprerssions. What kind of arm/tt/phono preamp? And current cart?

Higher vs. lower output was an issue I wrestled with a bit. My system (it's posted here) is up to either. My decision to go with the W was based on better volume matching to other sources (primarily CD) and also some technological changes.

I'm glad you quoted the ENTIRE output spec. It is important for folks to note that they are not all alike. Van den hul, for instance, specifies their outputs at 5.5 cm/s.