Alternative names for "ZYX UNIverse" cartridge

Yup, and I still have one. Originally bought it in the 70s for a Dual 1229. Moved it to my
H-K/Rabco ST-7 in the 80s, where it still lives.

I used to entertain visitors by swapping cartridges between that setup and the Teres/TriPlanar/UNIverse. Until they hear it, many people don't appreciate how putting a fancy cartridge on a cheap rig can be a waste of money, while putting a good rig beneath a cheap cartridge can let it boogie like nobody's business.

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Jwm,

Ours opened up in 30-50 hours IIRC.

I've never known any ZYX to play its best significantly nose down. Rather than that, I'd suggest re-levelling and then reducing VTF. From your brief description I'd guess yours may be too high.

Try my method of reducing VTF in ~.05g increments until you get mistracking on tough-to-track passages. Then scootch it back up just .01-.03g.

Oh... disengage anti-skating while doing this. You can add some back later if necessary but base VTF should be set with A/S at zero.

Thanks, Dougdeacon I will try this.

Lewm- Agree completely that correlation does not say anything about causation but remember we were trying to identify factor potentially responsible for differences between carts of same basic architecture; presumably w same cantilevers, stylus, body, etc. Diff btwn MI, MM, and MC carts have so many variables, IMO, that they are unlikely to be explained by one parameter. Not said too clearly; it's the end of a long day, but I think you know what I mean. BTW, since my primary source is (shudder) a music server, I was trying to point out that I do not have the experiential "database" to apply to the question that either you or Doug have. Apologies to the OP for taking this so far off-course.

Now I understand the genesis of your moniker. Anyone who uses a... music server... as a primary source is indeed lost in the audio swamp. (Kidding; I've heard good ones sound excellent.)

Jwm, also make sure your stylus is Magic Eraser clean after each side. The ZYX stylus collects gunk faster than any stylus I know and its HF performance deteriorates accordingly.