Cartridge options....

nooshinjohn

I have narrowed my selection down to these...

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/cartridges-clearaudio-titanium-v2-mc-in-sealed-box-free-shipping-2016-04-03-analog-680602

http://clearaudio.de/_assets/_pdf/manuals/cartridges/CA_MC V2_E+D.pdf

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/cartridges-einstein-the-pickup-cartridge-positive-feedback-a-2016-03-24-analog-90077-los-angeles-ca

http://www.einstein-audio.de/download/The-Pick-Up-en.pdf

The Einstein intrigues me quite a bit, but it would appear the ClearAudio does spec out a bit better. Anyone have some opinions between these two, or perhaps some other options I have yet to consider?

Thanks for any help here guys, as I am so far out of my depth here that it scares the crap out of me....

Mikey081057

Have you checked out: http://www.sound-smith.com/cartridges.html

gudnoyez

I'm pretty sure either of those would be a statement piece. Dropping that amount of coin with out being able to try it out on your table first would scare me. What cartridge are you running at the moment?

nooshinjohn

I am using a Dynavector 20x2 high output

Dawgfish

What type of sound are you looking for and what are you using for your phono preamp? Also like gudnuyez was saying getting your ears on some really good carts is definitely a great idea in your price range. From what I've seen on the Gon, there are a lot of high end shops in your area. I think your OL is medium mass, so it should pair well with a lot of carts.

If you like the Dynavector sound, the XV-1s would be a good one to look at. Haven't heard it personally, but have heard the XX-2 and loved the sound. I have a Karat and really enjoy it. I really like the Shelter sound, warm yet detailed. Get your ears on a high-end Shelter if you can. Another I would look at besides the high end Soundsmith carts mentioned above would be the Cartridge Man carts. I have a Music Maker 3 and love it! It has moving coil quickness and detail with moving magnet/moving iron tone. It's a wonderful cart. CM makes two carts above the MM3 that would be great on your deck.

Of the ones you mentioned above haven't heard either but can say that CA carts in general can sound a little on the analytical side to me. In your price range, you have a ton of options. Get out to the shops and get your ears on as many carts as you can. I would also contact Origin Live and Triangle Art and get their recommendations.

nooshinjohn

Pass Xono pre... Looking for a warmish, full bodied sound that has some sparkle up top and slam down low. For the coin spent on this, I guess I kinds want it all and thensome.

Jhayman

Wow, you are so far out my depth on carts it's unreal..
Best of luck finding what you want for that kind of coin..

Dawgfish

I hear ya, as well you should! :-) Both the upper end Shelters and Dynavectors have the type of sound you described. The Shelters in general are slightly warmer, while the Dynavectors in general are slightly quicker. I love the sound of both, but prefer the Shelters for everyday listening. They do everything right and are easy on the ear.

nooshinjohn

The ClearAudio can be mine for 4k, and the Einstein for the same... I have been somewhat unimpressed by the Dynavector I currently have, and preferred the Sumiko BPS EvoIII over it by a wide margin. I need to pull the trigger here on one of them in the next 24 or I lose out on them. The Einstein is local, and the other comes from Singapore if that matters.

txcoastal1

Can't really help you as usual. Definitely can't tell any differences between the 2, but if you decide to change again I think the Clear Audio would be easier to resell...just my HO

nooshinjohn

I did see a C/A Goldfinger v2 go for 5k not to long ago... Part of me is wondering if I should hold out a bit more.

txcoastal1

Did you chat with TriangleArt, and Origin with recommendations? Even Pass labs

nooshinjohn

Not yet... That will happen tomorrow

txcoastal1

With that kind of dough and especially cartridges you have to be very methodical due to loss of value...I know you know that, but even from here I'm nervous for you...just glad you ended up with a super star

Dawgfish

nooshinjohn wrote: »

The ClearAudio can be mine for 4k, and the Einstein for the same... I have been somewhat unimpressed by the Dynavector I currently have, and preferred the Sumiko BPS EvoIII over it by a wide margin. I need to pull the trigger here on one of them in the next 24 or I lose out on them. The Einstein is local, and the other comes from Singapore if that matters.

I hear ya. I had the 20XH as well and it didn't float my boat. The 20X has the most recessed mid-range of all the DV carts. The Karat and XX-2 run circles around it imho. A lot of people including myself even like the 10X5 over the 20X. I wouldn't be in a great rush given what you are going to spend on the cart. Take your time, get your research in, and listen to as many carts as possible. A deal will always show up, and there are literally dozens of other brands of carts that will sound awesome in your price range. I wouldn't limit yourself to only the two carts you identified. I would also see if any of the local shops let you try carts on a trial basis so you can hear how they mesh with your arm, deck, system, and llistening preferences.

nooshinjohn

The Einstein will be coming home tomorrow even though I lean towards the C/A. He is letting me home demo for a week, and knocking the price down quite a bit. The C/A is said to have a 95db or better s/n ratio, whereas the Einstein is about 78db.... We shall see what my ears tell me to do.

tonyb

What your ears tell ya to do ? How about your conscience....."Told ya not to go down that vinyl rabbit hole....told ya....told ya ".

Lol.....good luck though, hope you find your huckleberry.

nooshinjohn

tonyb wrote: »

What your ears tell ya to do ? How about your conscience....."Told ya not to go down that vinyl rabbit hole....told ya....told ya ".

Lol.....good luck though, hope you find your huckleberry.

Thanks Tony. The C/A seller threw a wrench into things this morning. 4k ahipped and paypal'd for new in the box on a 9k cartridge. The reviews on it have me thinking it is the right call....

leftwinger57

These cartridges cost more than all my gear and car combined. You dudes are way serious about vinyl which is putting it mildly. lol or holy sh%t.. I'm scared to ask how much are your TTs

voltz

that is how you play lets make a deal!

Now if you had multiple tonearms you could get both

txcoastal1

leftwinger57 wrote: »

These cartridges cost more than all my gear and car combined. You dudes are way serious about vinyl which is putting it mildly. lol or holy sh%t.. I'm scared to ask how much are your TTs

Put it this way...
The sweet deals he's made putting it together he'll lose very little if any on a resale, I know this because I'll buy it

Nightfall

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Put it this way...
The sweet deals he's made putting it together he'll lose very little if any on a resale, I know this because I'll buy it

You're in the vinyl rabbit hole?

txcoastal1

Nightfall wrote: »

txcoastal1 wrote: »

Put it this way...
The sweet deals he's made putting it together he'll lose very little if any on a resale, I know this because I'll buy it

You're in the vinyl rabbit hole?

Nope, but John's setup would be a helluva start

leftwinger57

Just for opinions sake. I used to own a Dual 1225 w/ a Shure cart MK5 I think. Back in the day when clean albums meant nothing to me and they supplied a multi stacking spindle ,that's exactly what I did. I figured if the machine can do the work,why not. I loaded a good 5 LPs let them drop and nodded out to mostly at that time the British Blues scene. Original Fleetwood Mac, Beano album, Fresh Cream Savoy Brown and others like Procal Harum,Spooky Tooth and of course Ten Years After. Round about way to ask what you guys thought of Dual TTs w/ the beveled United Audio Plinth base.

nooshinjohn

I went for the C/A... for less than 50 percent of the retail price for a class A+ cart like that, it seems to be a no brainer. I will be selling off my entire franklin/Danbury mint car collection to pay for it, but they have been boxed up for so long now that I forget what they even look like.

thsmith

Who is doing the install?

nooshinjohn

thsmith wrote: »

Who is doing the install?

I can handle it, but I may have someone come out and take a look. the last "professional" that saw my rig thought I was effin' nuts for having 1.2TL's, and said I should look for something better. When I asked him what I could get for under 5g that would be better, he just gave me a stupid look.

thsmith

Good for you. I use a Best tractor and USB microscope and very pleased with the results, followed by test record and fozgometer.

txcoastal1

thsmith wrote: »

Good for you. I use a Best tractor and USB microscope and very pleased with the results, followed by test record and fozgometer.

You need to use a plane ticket and come to visit us at the end of the month

thsmith

Would love too and who knows I might just do that.

nooshinjohn

Anybody ever in my neck of the woods is welcome to drop by and spend some time in the sweet spot. It is an amazing place to be with eyes closed and a beer in hand.