Clearaudio Talismann V2

[Josquin des Prez]

Is anyone using a Clearaudio Talismann V2 cartridge? It's a .7 mV moving coil that retails for $1750.

I have a Clearaudio Performance DC turntable ordered, and have planned to get the Maestro Wood MM with it. But now I'm wondering if I should spring for the extra $500 and get the Talisman V2. My phono preamp is a Simaudio Moon 110LP and can be set for 60 db gain. While that might not be an optimal phono stage for low output MC, I plan to get a better one within the next year or less.

I'll be playing this with Naim Audio separates to a pair of Dynaudio Contour S3.4s and a REL sub.

Thoughts?

[Puma Cat]

Dean,
Check with Jeff Whitock of AV Solutions; he knows this cartridge and IIRC that he had really nice things to say about it.

[Removed]

Originally Posted by RaceTripper

Is anyone using a Clearaudio Talismann V2 cartridge? It's a .7 mV moving coil that retails for $1750.

I have a Clearaudio Performance DC turntable ordered, and have planned to get the Maestro Wood MM with it. But now I'm wondering if I should spring for the extra $500 and get the Talisman V2. My phono preamp is a Simaudio Moon 110LP and can be set for 60 db gain. While that might not be an optimal phono stage for low output MC, I plan to get a better one within the next year or less.

I'll be playing this with Naim Audio separates to a pair of Dynaudio Contour S3.4s and a REL sub.

Thoughts?

The Talisman V2 with the gold coils is very good, would be a nice move over the Maestro IMO......however your in the ballpark gain wise with the Moon phono stage but the loading options are not optimal being you have either 100 ohms or 47K.....the Talisman likes to see something around 300 ohms give or take......its gonna play but you won't be getting everything the Talisman has to offer......

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

The Talisman V2 with the gold coils is very good, would be a nice move over the Maestro IMO......however your in the ballpark gain wise with the Moon phono stage but the loading options are not optimal being you have either 100 ohms or 47K.....the Talisman likes to see something around 300 ohms give or take......its gonna play but you won't be getting everything the Talisman has to offer......

Will the Talisman at 100 ohm load still be better than the Maestro Wood? What are the musical qualities of the Talismann?

FWIW I'm using a Dynavector 20x2H on a RP3 for the time being. I have heard a Talismann on an Ovation with a Octave/Confidence C2 system, but I will not get a chance to hear the Maestro Wood before I order. I can spend the extra $500 but don't want it to be a waste.

I have not even thought about what phono stage I would upgrade to later. I might do that around Xmas time.

[Removed]

The Talisman to my ears has better resolution and dynamics which is expected from a MC cart.....when doing a side by side listen I find the Maestro slightly tipped down, its smoothness is a bit exaggerated and covers up what's going on in upper freq. when compared to a nice MC like the Talisman and other MCs......this isn't to say the Talisman is perfect, its not when you compare it with something further up the food chain.....I do enjoy the Maestro and still listen to it from time to time and its good for the catagory it falls in. IMO its not a waste of the extra money and would make the move.

[Josquin des Prez]

So until I get a different phono stage, what affect will it have to load it at 100 ohms, rather than the 300 that is optimal?

[Removed]

Most likely you'll loose a smidge resolution through out, slightly closed in and you may feel its not as extended as you like, everyone has different preferences with loading and not every phono stage loading will be the same so you know......for instance my Steelhead with the Talisman likes to see around 400 ohms and with my Rhea sig 500 ohms is more to my liking.....once you get in the ballpark and closer to the optimal loading for a particular cartridge it now becomes more of a fine tune thing....slightly higher or lower will be vary from listener to listener and phono stage to phono stage.....

[Josquin des Prez]

Thanks a lot Jeff. I think I will go for the Talisman V2 then. Sounds like a good step up while I'm upgrading the table too.

[Removed]

I would agree.....something tube in the phono stage would be a nice fit when the time comes

[Josquin des Prez]

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

I would agree.....something tube in the phono stage would be a nice fit when the time comes

Performance DC, Talisman, tube phono stage, Naim Audio, Dynaudio Contour, REL

This will be awesome for me!