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  #11  
Old 01-24-2018, 04:30 PM
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Also consider that Ortofon has a very favorable rebuild program for its high-end MC cartridges -- especially while the Euro exchange rate remains in our favor! Most of their carts can be rebuilt (not just retipped) for at least 50% off list price.
Based on my experiences with damaged cantilevers, etc., the opportunity to have a cart rebuilt (rather than retipped) is not to be undervalued. Another advantage of the Ortofon Winfield is that it's pretty widely available - unlike the Kiseki - which gives me a greater chance of having it professionally installed and set up. Living on the Front Range in Colorado there aren't too many dealers to do this and I tend to set up cartridges myself, but with such a good cartridge I'd prefer to have it professionally done (a wise man recognizes his limitations).
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  #12  
Old 01-25-2018, 01:39 PM
briweed briweed is offline
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you might want to check out the Benz Micro SLR (Gullwing). I use one on my CA Innovation w/ Universal arm. Sounds great and within your budget.

B
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  #13  
Old 01-25-2018, 02:41 PM
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you might want to check out the Benz Micro SLR (Gullwing). I use one on my CA Innovation w/ Universal arm. Sounds great and within your budget.

B
Ive always lusted after Benz Micro carts but, given their various difficulties and availability issues, I am hesitant to buy a cart from them at this point.
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Last edited by ChrisAZ; 01-25-2018 at 02:46 PM.
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  #14  
Old 01-25-2018, 02:59 PM
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Why don't you stay with CA?

The concerto is nicely priced and sounded very good with the ovation.

I just installed a stradivari, can't comment, still breaking it in.
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  #15  
Old 01-25-2018, 03:45 PM
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Why don't you stay with CA?

The concerto is nicely priced and sounded very good with the ovation.

I just installed a stradivari, can't comment, still breaking it in.
Tempting, but I just haven't seen a lot of love for them out there - although the Concerto is well reviewed, obviously would have synergy, and there are good trade up programs available. One thing though, watch the cantilever on your cart because they stick way out there and can snag on things and get damaged. Speaking from experience.
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  #16  
Old 01-25-2018, 04:44 PM
mulveling mulveling is offline
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Originally Posted by ChrisAZ View Post
Tempting, but I just haven't seen a lot of love for them out there - although the Concerto is well reviewed, obviously would have synergy, and there are good trade up programs available. One thing though, watch the cantilever on your cart because they stick way out there and can snag on things and get damaged. Speaking from experience.
Hah I know your pain. Mine was a Koetsu Onyx Platinum, dropped/thrown HARD into a spinning record (without use of cueing lever) by a drunk/angry ex-girlfriend who knew better than to touch any part of that table. My bad for NOT wanting to listen to Pink Floyd all night, I guess.

Stylus protection "wings" wouldn't have helped in that case. The diamond, shank and all, was stripped right off the cantilever and never seen again. With no apparent damage to the cantilever, etc. Fortunately I'd personally put a ton of hours on the Onyx at that point, and got a nice deal on a Koetsu rebuild. It's now back with me, still very low hours, and sounding better than ever

If I didn't hit a woman in that incident (I didn't), then I know I never will under any circumstances, so that's cool I guess.

Last edited by mulveling; 01-25-2018 at 04:48 PM.
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  #17  
Old 01-25-2018, 07:29 PM
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Hah I know your pain. Mine was a Koetsu Onyx Platinum, dropped/thrown HARD into a spinning record (without use of cueing lever) by a drunk/angry ex-girlfriend who knew better than to touch any part of that table.
Yikes! If it makes you feel better, when I was first married my wife (now my former wife) decided that my record collection was taking up too much space in our apartment. I came home one day from work and found that she had sold the lot (about 2,000 albums) - at least she gave me the check for $150 she got for them.
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  #18  
Old 01-25-2018, 10:55 PM
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Ive always lusted after Benz Micro carts but, given their various difficulties and availability issues, I am hesitant to buy a cart from them at this point.


I thought that most issues had been dealt with, but I may be wrong...
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  #19  
Old 01-26-2018, 12:10 AM
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I thought that most issues had been dealt with, but I may be wrong...
According to the Musical Surroundings site they’ve reorganized, are producing a reduced line of carts (and not the one recommended), and I’m not finding any of their better carts on line (I’m not near dealers that carry them). So I will only chase my tail so far when there are other good choices.
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  #20  
Old 01-26-2018, 01:12 AM
mulveling mulveling is offline
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Yikes! If it makes you feel better, when I was first married my wife (now my former wife) decided that my record collection was taking up too much space in our apartment. I came home one day from work and found that she had sold the lot (about 2,000 albums) - at least she gave me the check for $150 she got for them.
Ouch!! That's definitely worse than my Koetsu incident. I trust your collection is back with a vengeance, now

Hearing stories like this makes me chuckle as much as it makes my blood boil. Call me crazy, but this stuff -- my high-end gear, vinyl collection -- is like another family member to me. I'm increasingly careful as to whom I let in my life to be around it.
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