The time has come.... New Cartridge time

Ron,

Given the quality of the rest of your system, you'd be mad to skimp on the source! I wouldn't sell the dead cartridges as near mint, but I would definitely investigate the better cartridge options that are out there.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Arkiv 2. You know it makes sense.

best regards

Dev

ron, as you probably know, i am using a DV XX2 - bought last June. real ear opener. in my mind, raises serious questions about precisely what these people do when recording cd's.

with the high end system that you have i would guess that the higher DV's would work extremely well and take advantage of your superior components downstream.

happy hunting...

enjoy

ken

I know there is a general leaning towards dynavectors or the arkiv2 with aro/sondek based systems.

What are the other likely candidates? Anybody with experience with the transfiguration spirit3 or the clearaudio Victory?

Cheers

Ron,

If you are not too fussed about dealer support you may wish to consider picking up a Helikon SL or Dynavector XX-2 in the UK. They run to about $1100 for the XX-2 and bit more for the Lyra. Of course, you'll get a rebate for your old Dyna, sothe XX-2 will be sub-$1k. Either way, they are far cheaper than in the US (well something has to be..)

I use the XX-2 in my system (similar to yours just passive) and its a very good cartridge.

http://www.isolation-racks.com/system/index.html

I would choose the Transfiguration Temper Supreme, super but expensive. Heard with 52/3 NAP500s/DBLs/Linn/Aro/Armageddon/Prefix K. The new Spirit 3 is very interesting as well ... heard the older Spirit with same Linn/135s/52/NBLs, also excellent. Not right with other speakers which have soundstage, though. In my system, Stereophile's Michael Fremer review was spot-on, the midrange is recessed back into the soundstage. Won't matter with Naim speakers flush to the wall, no soundstage to worry about.

The Helikon SL is also great, and at its price, no complaints (I use it). Incidentally, Lyra also makes the Arkiv B, and they claim the Helikon is better.

Ron Toolsie wrote:

>...I do not necessarily wish to pursue vinyl to
>the extreme unless I can be convinced that it is
>staggeringly better than the CDS2.

You will young Toolsie,... you will.

Ron, do you ever travel to Dallas, TX? I use a DV XV-1 in Armageddon/LP12/ARO and even with my lowly mid-range Naim amplification it's breathtaking. With your set-up, well...

Come on now, south east Tennessee isn't TOO far from Dallas, is it?

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn¡

Ron: I upgraded from a Lydian to an SL Helikon(/Prefix/Hi.) Definitely a step up from the Lydian. Kinda does the Round Earth thing, but with PRaT (like the real world). Some complain about midrange harshness on the standard version, but I can't hear it on my SL. This is one nice cartridge. I love the way it plays music.

Haven't made a direct comparison against an XX2 or Arkiv B but have heard both on other systems and was impressed.

Arthur Bye

Ron,

We find that the Ortofon KontrapunktB is very good value for money at £750 (setup is critical with this cartridge, but gives good dividends). The Dynavector XX-2 is great for £1000 too.

You probably know how highly I rate the DV Te Kaitora.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

frank

You probably know how highly I rate the DV Te Kaitora.

apologies if you have already done this to death, but can you post a few words on the differences between XX2 and the Te Kaitora (in my language, this means "the one that takes all")

many thanks

enjoy

ken