Yet another cartridge recommendation thread

[zettelsm]

I'd like to solicit the combined wisdom of the group, most of whom have much more experience with a variety of phono cartridges than I.

My current and long-time daily driver has been a Dynavector XV1-S. I just replaced my equally long-tenured VPI JMW 12.5 arm with VPI's 12" Fatboy gimbaled arm, and I'm hearing the Dyna sing like never before, despite it's age.

I should just stop here and enjoy what I have, but after literally not changing or upgrading anything on the arm/cartridge/table for years and years (more than ten years, closer to fifteen), the improvement in my analog play has me wondering what other advancements have passed me by.

So, I really like the sound of the XV1-S. Previously in the dim past I had a Lyra Helikon which replaced a Clearaudio wood bodied cart (Maestro? It was one of the first "budget" and wood-bodied carts offered by Clearaudio). That was followed by a Clearaudio Discovery, then the Helikon.

I liked the Discovery, but it was a bit peaky up top. The Helikon was, at that time, a real detail machine but after that wore off it sounded kind of analytical rather than involving. The Dynavector was a welcome change and obviously it ticked a lot of boxes for me or I wouldn't have kept it this long. And it's not doing anything that is wearing out its welcome, but. . .

I also had a brief experiment with a London (Decca) Reference, but tracking problems with warped records and interference problems with the low-slung London sometimes scraping my VPI periphery ring clamp made it a fingers-crossed proposition whether it was going to make it all the way through a side without skipping a groove or three. Probably an effective mass compatibility problem with the JMW 12.5 arm, even though I did add weight at the headshell to raise the arm's effective mass, and even tried adding damping fluid to the bearing well for the first time ever. However, when it wasn't misbehaving I loved the dynamics of the cartridge -- it sounded very alive and life-like. Rim-shots on a snare drum would literally make listeners jump!

So, from doing some reading here and other places on-line, here are a few cartridges that have me curious:

Lyra Etna -- some really glowing reviews on-line about the Etna. It appears that Jonathan Carr has moved over the years from analytical and detailed to more full-bodied and robust, while still retaining Lyra's ability to bring out all the micro-dynamics and nuances. A new one is a bit above my absolute max budget, but from time to time low-hours examples come up from reputable dealers and sellers.

Audio-Technica ART1000 -- print descriptions make this sound as if it might be a more viable replacement for the London Reference; it doesn't get much more direct than having the coils mounted right above the stylus. And interestingly, both Michael Fremer and Art Dudley (if ever there was an Odd Couple) both loved it in their Stereophile reviews. They claim unmatched dynamics and detail without being thin, analytical or harsh. Reputedly very true to what is in the groove.

Grado Aeon -- half the price of Grado's current Epoch flagship Lineage-series moving iron cartridge, but well more than half the performance. The only reviews I've found have been raves for beautiful sound quality, preternaturally quiet groove-tracing, a real music-lover's cartridge. I've never owned a Grado cartridge, not even the cheap ones when I was a penniless college student with a mostly plastic BSR turntable. In the past they've had a reputation for being lush at the expense of extension and detail, but evidently they've evolved to a more balanced sound as has Lyra.

Anyway, that seems to be the sense of the comments I've read.

So, any comments from folks who've heard any or all? Or other alternative I should consider? Comments comparative to the Dynavector XV1-S are very helpful, since that is literally all I've been listening to for quite a few years.

My budget is somewhat flexible but I'd like to keep it around $5K or less. And of course, I want it all -- detail, dynamics, beauty, killer bass, silky highs, and a cold beer.

Or, I could just keep my XV1-S until the stylus just wears away and spend the money somewhere else.

Thanks in advance,

Steve

[Formerly YB-2]

As much as I enjoy my 'Japan only' AT33R, I might lean towards the ART1000. But, I could say the same thing about the Kleos and Etna or Cadenza Black and an A-95. Listened to a Kiseki Purple Heart a couple of weeks ago and it was very nice. Good luck with your 'hunt' and keep us posted.

[zettelsm]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

As much as I enjoy my 'Japan only' AT33R, I might lean towards the ART1000. But, I could say the same thing about the Kleos and Etna or Cadenza Black and an A-95. Listened to a Kiseki Purple Heart a couple of weeks ago and it was very nice. Good luck with your 'hunt' and keep us posted.

Thanks very much, Glenn. I’ll be sure to let you all know how it goes and what I end up doing.

Steve

[NZ421291]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

As much as I enjoy my 'Japan only' AT33R, I might lean towards the ART1000. But, I could say the same thing about the Kleos and Etna or Cadenza Black and an A-95. Listened to a Kiseki Purple Heart a couple of weeks ago and it was very nice. Good luck with your 'hunt' and keep us posted.

+1, I have the ART9- it's a giant killer- would love an ART1000!

[zettelsm]

Some wise man said, “Life is what happens while you are making plans”. Too true.

But finally, I’ve had some time to mount and align my brand new Grado Aeon cartridge. It’s a little more challenging than the Dynavector XV1-S because the Aeon’s cantilever and stylus is tucked completely underneath the cartridge body, rather than having a long cantilever sticking way out in front in the open, like the Dyna.

However, the cartridge is deliberately constructed with square sides and front edge specifically to aid alignment. Setting up the cart with the VPI alignment protractor was pretty easy. Some backlighting behind the cartridge helps to see the stylus. I set VTF at 1.8 grams (1.5-1.9 grams recommended).

How does it sound?

With not even 3 hours on the new cartridge, it sounds truly special. Voices are already more lifelike and natural with the Aeon compared to the XV1-S. In fact, I’d say the Aeon makes the Dyna sound kind of “hifi”, while the Grado sounds more like real music. I’m already hearing nuances and low-level information that I didn’t know existed on familiar records. And this thing is dynamic as all get out — snare drum rim shots and cymbal crashes are whiplash quick and capture all metallic snap and brassy ring of the real thing.

I am already smiling as I listen to favorite LPs with the Aeon. If it continues to improve as it breaks in, and I’m sure it will, I am going to be absolutely delirious with joy.

Thanks very much Ivan!

More to come,

Steve

[MarSanz]

Originally Posted by zettelsm

Some wise man said, “Life is what happens while you are making plans”. Too true.

But finally, I’ve had some time to mount and align my brand new Grado Aeon cartridge. It’s a little more challenging than the Dynavector XV1-S because the Aeon’s cantilever and stylus is tucked completely underneath the cartridge body, rather than having a long cantilever sticking way out in front in the open, like the Dyna.

However, the cartridge is deliberately constructed with square sides and front edge specifically to aid alignment. Setting up the cart with the VPI alignment protractor was pretty easy. Some backlighting behind the cartridge helps to see the stylus. I set VTF at 1.8 grams (1.5-1.9 grams recommended).

How does it sound?

With not even 3 hours on the new cartridge, it sounds truly special. Voices are already more lifelike and natural with the Aeon compared to the XV1-S. In fact, I’d say the Aeon makes the Dyna sound kind of “hifi”, while the Grado sounds more like real music. I’m already hearing nuances and low-level information that I didn’t know existed on familiar records. And this thing is dynamic as all get out — snare drum rim shots and cymbal crashes are whiplash quick and capture all metallic snap and brassy ring of the real thing.

I am already smiling as I listen to favorite LPs with the Aeon. If it continues to improve as it breaks in, and I’m sure it will, I am going to be absolutely delirious with joy.

Thanks very much Ivan!

More to come,

Steve

Steve,

Would you say the Grado is more romantic than the Dynavector with better timbre and nuanced detail? I have a XX-2 MK2 that I used for many years and now as a back up. I always thought that cart was very revealing leaning towards over analytical. I wanted more of a romantic sound with all the detail. Looking forward to hearing more of your feedback.

[zettelsm]

Originally Posted by MarSanz

Steve,

Would you say the Grado is more romantic than the Dynavector with better timbre and nuanced detail? I have a XX-2 MK2 that I used for many years and now as a back up. I always thought that cart was very revealing leaning towards over analytical. I wanted more of a romantic sound with all the detail. Looking forward to hearing more of your feedback.

I would say the Grado definitely gives you all the detail of the XV1-S and then some. I am hearing nuances and a depth of texture on familiar LPs that I’ve never heard from the Dynavector, yet the Aeon never sounds analytical. It is the most natural sounding cartridge I’ve ever heard.

I had a friend over today for a day of listening to music. He’s an experienced audiophile and he’s heard my current system with the XV1-S. His reaction to the Grado Aeon was priceless.

You’ve heard the expression, “jaw-dropping”? He literally sat there with his mouth open in disbelief from the first needle-drop and when he finally spoke his first words were to the effect, “You’ve GOT to be kidding me! That is so much better than your Dynavector!”

I agree with him completely. My XV1-S, while I’d never before thought of it as excessively analytical, definitely sounds hi-fi compared to the Aeon’s very natural, very beautiful and very detailed sound.

I’m not one to throw recommendations around, but I would unhesitatingly urge anyone with an interest in cartridges in this price range to go out of their way to hear a Grado Aeon.

I can only imagine what the Epoch sounds like!

I hope this helps.

Steve

[audio bill]

Steve - Since you have the VPI Fatboy arm I thought you might be interested in comments I heard at last year's AXPONA directly from Harry Weisfeld about the AT ART1000 on that arm. It's one of his favorites and he said that it compares well against the Lyra Atlas which retails at $12K... not that they sound the same but that it competes in the same league of performance. He really likes the direct coupling that AT achieves by having the moving coils directly over the stylus tip on their ART1000. Quite an amazing achievement and surprising that they can offer it at $5K retail given today's market with stratospherically priced cartridges.

[zettelsm]

Originally Posted by audio bill

Steve - Since you have the VPI Fatboy arm I thought you might be interested in comments I heard at last year's AXPONA directly from Harry Weisfeld about the AT ART1000 on that arm. It's one of his favorites and he said that it compares well against the Lyra Atlas which retails at $12K... not that they sound the same but that it competes in the same league of performance. He really likes the direct coupling that AT achieves by having the moving coils directly over the stylus tip on their ART1000. Quite an amazing achievement and surprising that they can offer it at $5K retail given today's market with stratospherically priced cartridges.

Thanks very much, Bill. Good to know that’s what Harry likes. That Dynavector XV1-S that I’ve enjoyed for so long was directly due to Harry’s recommendation way back when.

Like you, the price of the ART1000 is something of a minor miracle considering the price of its competitors and the amount of intricate hand labor it takes to build the ART.

Steve

[Formerly YB-2]

The ART1000 and Ortofon A95 are at the top of my "jonesing list" for cartridges. Am very pleased with my other AT & Ortofon carts (and Lyra), so will likely stay within the family when the time comes.