Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?

[Ed Selley]

Like a Cylon interceptor with a stylus;


This is the Audio Technica ART20 announced today. A sample has been here for a bit in preparation for a review and it is starting to do some impressive things (and, it has to be said, some mildly perplexing ones too).

 

[AnthonyI]

Like a Cylon interceptor with a stylus;
View attachment 150174

This is the Audio Technica ART20 announced today. A sample has been here for a bit in preparation for a review and it is starting to do some impressive things (and, it has to be said, some mildly perplexing ones too).

That's a pretty spot on description Ed, lol

 

[kvetcha]

Like a Cylon interceptor with a stylus;
View attachment 150174

This is the Audio Technica ART20 announced today. A sample has been here for a bit in preparation for a review and it is starting to do some impressive things (and, it has to be said, some mildly perplexing ones too).

Shiiiiiiiny

 

[Joe Mac]

£2000!

It better be good!

That’s totally going to attract, and show, every bit of dust on the earth!

 

[Ed Selley]

£2000!

It better be good!

*coughs* £2,749.

 

[marshall]

Kinda crazy how much the cart is vs their new "high end" table.

 

[AnthonyI]

My current dilemma, hoping to come to some sort of conclusion by years end. And let me say, I have no qualms with the Opus3 at the moment.

Opus3 Stereo/Mono tandem
Soundsmith Otello Stereo/Mono tandem
Hana SL Stereo/Mono tandem.

I've heard all but the Otello, and of course we're covering quite a bit of ground on the price/re-tipping (Soundsmith the clear winner in the re-tipping dept.)

 

[kvetcha]

My current dilemma, hoping to come to some sort of conclusion by years end. And let me say, I have no qualms with the Opus3 at the moment.

Opus3 Stereo/Mono tandem
Soundsmith Otello Stereo/Mono tandem
Hana SL Stereo/Mono tandem.

I've heard all but the Otello, and of course we're covering quite a bit of ground on the price/re-tipping (Soundsmith the clear winner in the re-tipping dept.)

Wanna borrow my Zephyr when retipping is complete?

 

[AnthonyI]

Wanna borrow my Zephyr when retipping is complete?

That'll just give me anxiety and some built in fear of how much it'll overshadow the Otello. It's the EL / SL conundrum all over again, I know what the SL sounds like, and while the EL is no slouch, I KNOW WHAT THE SL SOUNDS LIKE!

But I do appreciate the offer

 

[AnthonyI]

Wanna borrow my Zephyr when retipping is complete?

It also becomes one of those "Do I go with what I know" or do I try something new....................it's maddening, which is why I'm giving myself time, lol

 

[Joe Mac]

My current dilemma, hoping to come to some sort of conclusion by years end. And let me say, I have no qualms with the Opus3 at the moment.

Opus3 Stereo/Mono tandem
Soundsmith Otello Stereo/Mono tandem
Hana SL Stereo/Mono tandem.

I've heard all but the Otello, and of course we're covering quite a bit of ground on the price/re-tipping (Soundsmith the clear winner in the re-tipping dept.)

I loved the opus every minute it was on my table but after almost a year with the Hana I don’t think I’d be able to go back to it now…

 

[GStephenH]

Wanna borrow my Zephyr when retipping is complete?

Do you have the high output or low output version? It is getting to be time for me to replace my stylus and I like what I've heard of the Soundsmith - and the retipping costs are nice.

 

[kvetcha]

Do you have the high output or low output version? It is getting to be time for me to replace my stylus and I like what I've heard of the Soundsmith - and the retipping costs are nice.

I've got the Zephyr MIMC Star ES, actually, not a standard Zephyr. Sorry for any confusion.

I'm very fond of it. The MasterTracker has been doing admirably in its stead, but I'll be glad to have it back.

 

[GStephenH]

I've got the Zephyr MIMC Star ES, actually, not a standard Zephyr. Sorry for any confusion.

I'm very fond of it. The MasterTracker has been doing admirably in its stead, but I'll be glad to have it back.

From what I can see, the Zephyr MIMC Star ES does come in both low and high output.

 

[kvetcha]

From what I can see, the Zephyr MIMC Star ES does come in both low and high output.

The Zephyr and the Zephyr MIMC Star look the same, but are different carts. Different cantilevers, stylus profiles, generators, etc.

 

[GStephenH]

The Zephyr and the Zephyr MIMC Star look the same, but are different carts. Different cantilevers, stylus profiles, generators, etc.

Ahhhh!!! Yup. I'm with you now. Thanks.

 

[kvetcha]

Ahhhh!!! Yup. I'm with you now. Thanks.

It is confusing.

 

[AnthonyI]

Alright, was able to cash in on a little discount, I'm hoping the run with this will at least finalize my direction. Not knowing where this might fall was hard to pass on, it's not super expensive, the long term cost is unbeatable and from what I've been told by reps, it's a better sounding Grado. Meaning it keeps it's warmth, but amps up the rest of the sound, dynamics and timber.

Should be here Tuesday, looking forward to it. Hoping to hammer down an end game cart tandem by mid 2023.

 

[kvetcha]

Alright, was able to cash in on a little discount, I'm hoping the run with this will at least finalize my direction. Not knowing where this might fall was hard to pass on, it's not super expensive, the long term cost is unbeatable and from what I've been told by reps, it's a better sounding Grado. Meaning it keeps it's warmth, but amps up the rest of the sound, dynamics and timber.

Should be here Tuesday, looking forward to it. Hoping to hammer down an end game cart tandem by mid 2023.
View attachment 150869

Interested to hear your thoughts!

 

[Angsty]

Otello vs. Hana SL - I'm down for the duel!