Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?

[OMC]

Must be cartridge replacement month. After four blissful years of Benz Ruby Z use it came time for a replacement. What did I go with? Another Ruby Z, of course. Mounted it yesterday on the Rega and it’s singing already without proper run-in time. With the Arctic cold front heading our way it’s a good time to be in the listening room.

 

[Nee Lewman]

Will have something new to add to this thread in two days. Bye bye bitchy 2M Black.

It’s not another fucking ort is it?

 

[Mather]

It’s not another fucking ort is it?

NO SIR IT IS NOT

But I have really enjoyed the Black, it's just very picky.

 

[Joe Mac]

It’s not another fucking ort is it?

I will say that before I destroyed it that Quintet Black S was pretty damn perfect, nothing like any of the 2M series you’d have heard. Plenty of detail but tonally much different.

 

[Joe Mac]

NO SIR IT IS NOT

But I have really enjoyed the Black, it's just very picky.

Which soundsmith did you get?

 

[Nee Lewman]

I will say that before I destroyed it that Quintet Black S was pretty damn perfect, nothing like any of the 2M series you’d have heard. Plenty of detail but tonally much different.

You and hifi are selling AND I’M NOT BUYING!!!

 

[Joe Mac]

You and hifi are selling AND I’M NOT BUYING!!!

I wouldn’t buy it again either unless I upgrade. It was probably too much cartridge for my pro-ject. It’s definitely too big physically for it. Once I have it repaired I’ll keep it reserved in case I ever upgrade the table.

Silly to judge an entire company on one product line though.

 

[Mather]

Which soundsmith did you get?

Paua MK II

 

[Joe Mac]

View attachment 192537
Paua MK II

Ah nice you went big! I remembered you wavering between this and the zephyr MIMC!

 

[kvetcha]

View attachment 192537
Paua MK II

*Down with the Sickness voice*

PAU-AH-AH-AH-AH

 

[Mather]

Ah nice you went big! I remembered you wavering between this and the zephyr MIMC!

Yeah I got a really good deal and $550 rebuild cost so I just took the dive. Should arrive on Friday.

 

[kvetcha]

Yeah I got a really good deal and $550 rebuild cost so I just took the dive. Should arrive on Friday.

Excited to hear your impressions!

 

[Mather]

Excited to hear your impressions!

I'm very excited, first MC cart and between that and the Halo JC3+ which is still burning in judging by the changes I'm hearing, it should be pretty fun.

 

[kvetcha]

I'm very excited, first MC cart and between that and the Halo JC3+ which is still burning in judging by the changes I'm hearing, it should be pretty fun.

Moving iron! Still, it should sound terrific.

 

[Mather]

Moving iron! Still, it should sound terrific.

Right right, my main point is I get to use my MC stage on the JC3+. Which I'm very excited about.

 

[Slimwhit33]

View attachment 192537
Paua MK II

That shell pattern is a really nice touch.

 

[Mather]

That shell pattern is a really nice touch.

Yeah it's kinda a bonkers looking cart but I just love the design.

 

[LiamGallaghersBucketHat]

View attachment 192537
Paua MK II

 

[LiamGallaghersBucketHat]

Since my amp can support MC, maybe it’s time I take a trip into that world.
How about some recommendations not on Mather’s budget.

 

[Mather]

Since my amp can support MC, maybe it’s time I take a trip into that world.
How about some recommendations not on Mather’s budget.

What's your budget ideally?