Trans Temp W, Magic Diamond cartridges - comments

I've owned more expensive cartridges, have a couple of spare VdHuls on top of my refrigerator, but I really like my Transfig. Temper V (.38mv) Very neutral without being un-musical.

Before this thread dies off into the archives. I just wanted to say that I'm absolutely thrilled with the Temper V. If there is one thing I learned in high-end audio that can't be disbuted IMO. It's the fact that it all starts at the source. So, the source in vinyl replay is the cartridge. I find nothing...zero...nada...to criticize about the performance of the Temper V. The sound, true to the source as well. What do I mean by this?? Analog tape, the Temper V sounds like analog tape is playing in my room. What more could one ask for.

I wanted to mention something about the issue of MC cartridge output. Manufacturers use one of two different test records to measure cartridge output. The JVC (TRS-1007) at 3.54 cm/sec, and the CBS (STR-100) at 5 cm/sec.

Make sure, when you are assessing output figures, that you take the cm/sec figure into account.

For example, the Lyra Titan is rated at 0.5mV, and so is the Transfig W. But the Titan's output was measured using the CBS record (at 5 cm/sec) while the W's was measured using the JVC record (at 3.54 cm/sec). Had the Transfig W also been measured using the CBS record, its output would be well over 0.6mV

I use a temper V which I interchange with my Conrad EF1 phono stage. The EF1 can't handle the lower output, so I am using the Shelter currently.

On my system, the Amazon turtable was voiced with Transfiguration cartridges, and I must say it is fantastic.

The Temper V, even with the EF1, is just so right. I've heard VDH cartridges, which I find have great finesse, but are a bit thin and gold (at least in the guise I heard it and I know they have infinite variations). I found the Lyra helikon a bit hard at the top as well.

I must say that Les at Walrus Systems is also a big fan of the Temper. On top of that Hi Fi news are big fans. Vinyl Asylum still rates it as the best sounding cartridge too.

I do wish to have a proper listen to a Koetsu though. The reason being that most of the people I speak to who work in the proffesion of music reproduction have a Koetsu at home to listen to.

Lohanimal, if you want to keep your EF1 (which you should!) I suggest you trade your Temper V in on a Temper W. It has 0.2mV more output than the V, which is not enough to render it less refined IMO, but enough to do the trick with your EF1 (and make sure your cartridge loading is correct, around 150 ohms +/- 75 ohms.

Call Bob Clarke at Profundo, he might be able to arrange a trade with one of his dealers:

email: info@profundo.us
phone: 510.375.8651
fax: 510.525.8942

As for the Koetsu, IMO they represent old technology pushed to the limit. People say they have great midrange. Perhaps that's because that's ALL they have. The Transfigs and Titans, and yes, the Colibris too, have great midrange plus the stuff that goes above and below it.

It's interesting to me that the people who work in the "profession" (especially many musicians) have mediocre audio systems. It may just be that they don't expect a lot from reproduced sound because they're immersed in the real thing so much of the time :~)