UK Tony

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 4.00 votes

Price Paid:  $250.00 from Origin Live

Summary:
Whilst expensive to me at least, this cartridge is the quality all rounder I have always searched for. It is equally at home with classical and rock giving an open and dynamic sound with no nasties, and is unfussy.

Please keep the price down so as to give those of us who can't afford the serious stuff a chance to glimpse what vinyl is capable of.

Strengths:
Open natural sound with good speed and dynamics.
Tracks well and does not need ultra expensive arm.
Surface noise is not a problem.
Tonally very neutral.
Works well with all types of music.
No treble nasties or lumpy bass.

Weaknesses:
On occasions can sound a little bass light.
The 2.5mv output can be a bit low particularly if you switch between sources regularly.
No stylus guard.
Could be a bit fiddly to fit.

Similar Products Used:
Mitchell Focus One / Linn Basic V and Plus
Shure M75EDII / Ortofon VMS20EII / A&R P77 / Linn K9 / Denon DL160 & 110

KitR

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.56 of 5, 9.00 votes

Price Paid:  $375.00 from Music Direct

Summary:
Make no mistake this is a very good cartridge, and does lots of things well with few weak areas and being a HOMC doesn't need a step up. Seems to be load impervious also. But it didn't seem as good as I was expecting. It certainly wasn't the distinct improvement over the Elys it replaced that I was expecting. I don't feel the extra $140 I spent over a replacement Elys was worth it.

Strengths:
Good dynamics, detail, stereo imaging.

Weaknesses:
A bit weak in the Bass, tipped up slightly in the treble. High Price.

Similar Products Used:
Shure M75EII,V15-III, Ortofon F15-II & VMS20E, Goldring G820&900;A&R P78/P77; Linn Asak; Koetsu Black; Sumiko AlchemistA, TalismanB;Grado GTE+/RED/GREEN/GOLD; Rega Elys.

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