Dynamics, soundstaging, ambient detail.

Slightly forward sounding, slightly hot on the top end.

I have owned this cartridge for almost for almost 3 years. Bought it "almost new" from someone who had barely broken it in. The Discovery is a very high end performer... excellent retrieval of detail, amazing soundstaging and killer dynamics. It has the Clearaudio family characteristic of a slightly rising high end that makes is a poor match with a cool sounding system. My system is very neutral (not warm sounding) and while I love the sound of this cartridge, sometimes it can sound too analytica, especially on poor recordings. On good recordings however, the sound can be simply magic.

I should point out that the Discovery is less "analytical" than other old style Clearaudio cartridges. It was voiced somewhat warmer, and is rich harmonically and tonally lovely. It is just slightly on the "forward" side of neutral, which make recordings sound wonderfully alive, or sometimes too "hard" sounding.

Similar Products Used:

Grado Signature, Koetsu Rosewood Signature, Lyra Clavis DC