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New cart for under 1K

I am looking to buy a new cartrdige for my setup. My current system consists of a VPI Scout II with a Black Knight platter and 10.5SE tonearm (the TT Michael Fremer demonstrated a cartridge setup at last years show in NYC), JM Focal 936's, Mac solid state power & pre, and a Dynavector P-75 phono pre-amp. The Focal's are very accurate and tend to be bright in the highs. Brightness is what I am trying to avoid. I've found the highs to be too harsh for my liking, especially with vocals. Sibilance is also an issue and something I have attempted to control with speaker placement, VTA, damping fluid, and the tone controls on my old Mac preamp. My current cart is a Grado Gold. I am hopeful that upgrading to a new cartridge helps eliminate some of the treble harshness and provides a sweeter overall sound. I'm interested in the Dynavector 20x2 so far. Any other suggestions for 1K or under, Benz, Ortofon, Sumiko (Blackbird, a little over 1K, but what the hell)?

Thanks for you assistance!
davidlillis
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
Davidlillis: Those Infinity tweeters were from their EMIT series of drivers, correct? I sold stereos in SoCal in the mid-'70s including ESS. Their Heil AMT tweeter (the basis of this current crop of folded tweeters) were incredibly fast and clear. They could also handle a fair amount of power. The current ones take up much less space; the old ESS AMTs had a huge magnet structure.

I'm really glad to see air motion transformer tweeters come back. I'm really thinking about getting some GoldenEar Aon 3s or Triton Sevens for the living room.

Also, for a computer desktop or small home studio, the Emotiva Airmotiv line of powered monitors with folded ribbon tweeters should provide some great bang for the buck. The entry-level Airmotiv 4 is only $349/pair.
davidlillis OP
27 posts
 
Thanks Johnnyb53,

I don't remember what series from Infinity, I was probably 13/14 years old at that time.

I'm definitely going to audition the Golden Ear's and the others that contain the "folded tweeter" design and looking very forward to it.

I bought a pair of Wharfedale 10.2's for my office and I have to say, they're impressive for 500 bucks. I've got them connected to a Marantz PM5004 which is perfectly sufficient for an office and I was keeping my office budget below 1K (which is the first time I've ever stuck to a budget with audio gear!).
jperry
2,462 posts
 
Listen to some Proac speakers. I think you might like them based on your comments.
davidlillis OP
27 posts
 
Jperry,

Thanks, the problem I'm finding is locating a US based dealer that sells Proac. Andy ideas?

David
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
Arizona Hi-Fi
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