Phono Cartridges - Your favorites and least favorites?

Through my job we have this benefit that essentially amounts to small health surveys that turn into gift cards, up to $100 a quarter.

Gonna try to get all $400 this year (doable) and reward myself with a Nagaoka 300 off eBay with the funds. Walking a bunch and getting a free nagaoka out of it doesn’t seem like a bad exchange
 
I got a lightly used Benz Micro Zebra L for my Rega to replace my Apheta 3. I am really enjoying these Benz Micro carts (I also have a Benz LP S on my Feickert upstairs), they aren’t as “precise” as something like the Apheta 3 (which digs out details) but they weave everything together to paint a more complete and compelling picture.

The Apheta 3 was all spotlights and detail, similar to a lot of CD/digital sound. It was very clean and precise, and I’m sure a lot of people will love that, but I never found it musically compelling, too “mechanical” for me.

I’m running the Zebra at 66db gain on my Pass XP-17 and loading it at 1,000 Ohms currently. I may still fiddle with cartridge alignment and other loading options to see if I can dig out a touch more detail, but as is I was up until 3:00 AM last night spinning records. And then went back down with my coffee this morning to spin some more. This is the best combo I’ve had in the basement (Rega/Benz/Pass) so far.
 
Amen, brother. Having been listening to the top tier of Benz cartridges for over 25 years you hit the nail on the head. If you’re interested in hearing and feeling music vs dissecting what is in the grooves, Benz, across all price ranges, will be extremely accurate AND sound romantic similar to Koetsu’s house sound.
 
OMC said:
Amen, brother. Having been listening to the top tier of Benz cartridges for over 25 years you hit the nail on the head. If you’re interested in hearing and feeling music vs dissecting what is in the grooves, Benz, across all price ranges, will be extremely accurate AND sound romantic similar to Koetsu’s house sound.
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Carl recommended the Ruby Z, which if I keep the Rega I’ll order from him, but I’m debating moving on from the Rega downstairs to a Transrotor Dark Star Silver Shadow and putting the table/phono in the listening space vs wall mounted in the equipment room.

Those Transrotors are gorgeous to look at.

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SnowmaNick said:
Carl recommended the Ruby Z, which if I keep the Rega I’ll order from him, but I’m debating moving on from the Rega downstairs to a Transrotor Dark Star Silver Shadow and putting the table/phono in the listening space vs wall mounted in the equipment room.

Those Transrotors are gorgeous to look at.

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Just about the most basic model, right? They do sound as if you are getting what you pay for. 👍

Ruby Z for which ‘table?
 
OMC said:
Just about the most basic model, right?

Ruby Z for which ‘table?
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The Ruby Z for my Rega, similar setup to yours. The Rega won’t work with an LP S. If I get a Transrotor I’d be tempted to get another LP S though, I love that cart.

As for the table, I’m looking between the Silver Shadow with an upgraded power supply or a Fat Bob S, both on the “simple and small” side for Transrotor. The Fat Bob I could eventually get their FSD with, but I really prefer the looks of the Silver Shadow, and it’s “more limited” upgrade path.
 
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SnowmaNick said:
Carl recommended the Ruby Z, which if I keep the Rega I’ll order from him, but I’m debating moving on from the Rega downstairs to a Transrotor Dark Star Silver Shadow and putting the table/phono in the listening space vs wall mounted in the equipment room.

Those Transrotors are gorgeous to look at.

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That is priest (and way closer to affordable than I would have thought.)
 
SnowmaNick said:
The Ruby for my Rega, similar setup to yours. The Rega won’t work with an LP S. If I get a Transrotor I’d be tempted to get another LP S though, I love that cart.

As for the table, I’m looking between the Silver Shadow with an upgraded power supply or a Fat Bob S, both on the “simple and small” side for Transrotor. The Fat Bob I could eventually get their FSD with, but I really prefer the looks of the Silver Star, and it’s “more limited” upgrade path.
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Yes, the LPS is addictively good, just too heavy for Rega arms. Ruby Z is a suitable alternative. Thinking about the Aphelion II or the Benz Ref I to pair with the Sutherland Dos Locos. Like the set it and forget appeal of Rega ‘tables I miss the out of sight out of mind beauty of Sutherland gear. My on again off again love of tubes is leaning towards off with the Rhea.
Oh yeah, Carl’s prices are addictive too. 😎
 
Anyone here get the chance to run both a Hana SL and a Hana ML? Think my SL is running towards the end of its lifecycle and thinking about options. I love the SL and might just run it back but wondering if the ML is a game changer.
 
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