Cartridge Auditions: Part Deaux (Photos)

[Travis In Austin]

At the beginning of the year I started a thread about trying out different turntable cartridges with my Nottingham Space Deck turntable/Basis Vector 3 arm. The discussion ended in March, as explained more below. Rather then bumping a 3 month old thread, I am starting a new one, and discussing some of the cartridges I had a chance to listen to on my Nottingham/Vector through my Blueberry Preamp which has the Cream option (built in MC input, via internal Jensen Step-up transformers).

The original thread can be found here:

http://forums.klipsch.com/forums/1/878306/ShowThread.aspx

At that point, I had tried out the Shelter 501, 901, 9000, Benz Micro, Benz Wood Body, Koetsu, Black and Ureshi. I was getting very close to pulling the trigger on a Koetsu Black, at that time, and some of the cartridge experts on the forum recommended some other brands, i.e., Transfiguration, but I was limited to what my dealer carried and he did not carry Transfig. Well at least not up to that point. Larry C or resident, inter alia, classical music expert, did me a huge favor. Unbeknownst to me, Larry called the US distributer of Transfiguration products and asked if he could send a couple of cartridges out to my dealer so that I could give them a try. Turns out, the distributor and my dealer are old friends so it was no problem. However, there was a problem in that Transfiguration recently came out with two new cartridges, the Axia and the Phoenix. The Phoenix has been a big hit in Europe and getting a lot of great press over there. There were not any production models available yet, there were all being used at shows, etc. But within a couple of weeks the Dist got his hands on one of the first production models in the U.S. from Japan, and started burning it in for about a week before he sent it to my dealer.

There were some delays on all ends, that were beyond everyones control, that ended up causing a delay in the audition of these last two cartridges before I made a final decision.

Up until that point, I didnt think there was anyway I was going to want anything other then the Koetsu Black. This cartridge has a true line-contact shaped diamond, this means less noise because the stylus makes more contact with the groove wall than an elliptical, and this also means less distortion, and tends to be more forgiving with records that might have a pop or click or two. The Black has very musical midrange, very natural sounding. There were some cartridges that may have equal or slightly better midrange, but it had the best bass of any cartridge, and by a wide margin. The Koetsu Ureshi was an incredible sounding cartridge, but it did not justify the price difference over the Black.

The Benz, both the wood body and the Ace did not sound good to my ears. There was a definite "flavor" to these cartridges, and depending on the type of music you listen to I can see why they have such a large and devoted following. (I listen to 95% classic rock of the 60's and 70's, 4% Jazz and 1% Cajun).

The Shelter carts are an excellent choice. Lots to choose from, all kinds of prices. I had a 501 on my Vector are for almost two months while we waited for the Transfigs to come in and get them set up. It produced great music, and I had to really remember back as to what I knew I was missing by not having the Black, or Shelters that are farther up the line. If you want transparency, you want every detail out of the groove, the Shelter 901 or 9000 is for you. I think the 9000 is a much better cartridge then the 901, much improved, but I think they keep the 901 in the line because of an almost cult like following. I dont care for that much detail. I think I stated earlier, in the other post, there was a portion of School, on Crime of the Century by Supertramp, where the 901 sucked deep down and pulled out of the grove this passage where Hodgson either drags his pick too deep and across the pickups, or bumps the guitar into something. I have listened to that song 100's of times, on all kinds of equipment, and I have never heard the thing so in your face. You can hear the bump with the 501, Black, etc., but you have to be listening for it and it is still way down layers of music. With the 901 it was so abrupt I thought that someone had bumped into the turntable. I had to go back and replay it a few times. I was shocked out what that cart could suck out of the grooves. Like I said, if you want to know whether the singer ate popcorn the night before, the 901 is for you. In addition to the detail, the music was great sounding. The 9000, for my ears was slightly better.

The Denon 103 was recommended to me, and I have always thought it was a good cart, and a great value, but to my ears not a great sounding cart. I think this is because it was designed over 40 years ago to be used in Japans radio network. It has a very, very low compliance, on purpose. A cart with very little give is not likely to jump out of a groove while it is being played on air.

Now to the Transfigs. The Axia was a good sounding cart, very natural, but I think that the Black had it way beat in the Bass, and overall natural sound. I listened to that cart first, for about a day and a half. It was impossible to really remember back what the others really sounded like, I did have some bench marks set out, but it was further complicated by the fact that I got hearing aids since I auditioned those first carts. So, frankly, it was impossible to really judge the Transfigs against the previous carts, but I wasnt really looking to do that anyway. I wanted a natural sounding cart, that would pick up good detail, but not with overkill.

The Axia sounded good, very good, but I think the Black was slightly better for what I was looking for. Then we put the Phoenix on and I was blown away. The best midrange of any cart I have tried to day, it does not have the bass of the Koetsu, but it is very, very close and actually, it might be just a tad more musical then the Black.

So I can going to listen to this Phoenix tonight and tomorrow, and unless something drastic happens, I believe I will be going with the Transfig, Phoenix.

Larry, thanks for all of you help in getting those carts send out here. I would have missed a great opportunity to hear some excellent products and would have missed out on finding the best cartridge for my situation.

Travis

[Travis In Austin]

Another view

[Travis In Austin]

Phx

[Travis In Austin]

PhX Mounted

[lwhaples]

Cool! Thanks for the update. I was wondering how things worked out.

Larry

[joshnich]

Hey Travis

Nice write up - thanks

Do you happen to know the compliance of the Transfig Phoenix vs the Shelter off hand? I have the Shelter 901 and know its a low compliance cart - not quite to the degree of the Denon or those ortofons that lots of folks like, but I dont know the numbers.

Thanks

Josh

Thanks

[LarryC]

Phoenix compliance is 12 x 10 to -6cm/dyne. Description and specs at http://www.profundo.us/transfiguration/phoenix/phoenix.htm. It seems to me MC carts don't have especially high compliance for some reason.

[LarryC]

FWIW, I think Gary, I, and Travis are now the three on the forum with Vector arms and Transfiguration cartridges. I'm hoping he'll be at the Oct. 20 Klipschfest so we can compare notes. Excellent pics, Travis, I need some pointers.

Josh, the Needle Doctor website says compliance for all its Shelters are 9cu, whatever "cu" is.

[garymd]

Nice write-up Travis.

Where does the Phoenix sit in the line of Transfiguration carts?

Edit: Nevermind. I just looked at Larry's link. My next major upgrade will be to the Orpheus but I just can't justify the expense while my Temper still sounds so freakin good.

[Travis In Austin]

Nice write-up Travis.

Where does the Phoenix sit in the line of Transfiguration carts?

Edit: Nevermind. I just looked at Larry's link. My next major upgrade will be to the Orpheus but I just can't justify the expense while my Temper still sounds so freakin good.

Gary,

It is difficult to tell where the Phoenix sits in line by just looking at their website. If I were to describe it I would say that it sits right in between the "wow that is a lot of money for someting to play records with, but all things considered, a great value when compared to other MC carts in this price range" (Axia) and the, "I don't care how good it sounds, there is no way on earth I am going to spend that much on a cartridge, except maybe if actually listen to it and there is a good trade in program." (Temper)[] Seriously, when you look at that link on the Profundo Audio page to the German audio magazine review, they rated the Phoenix in there reference level carts, with a Lyra Titan and a Transfig Orpheus. Bob at Profund is really raving about the Phoenix, he told my dealer he would be happy to send a Temper for us to try but that we would be very happy with the Phoenix for a bit less. I will bring it out in Oct. for you and Larry to give it a whirl to see what you think.

They are offering a trade in promo on the Phoenix, with any cart, dead or alive, they will take $500.00 off, that puts it just slighly more then the Black, but way less then a Shelter 9000, and way, way, way less then a Ureshi. Larry pointed out to me that Transfig offers great trade up programs when you trade in a lower level Cart for one further up the line. I really liked that, makes it a lot easier to upgrade, and this was another major consideration in my decision to go with the Phoenix.

Travis

[LarryC]

Bob at Profundo is really raving about the Phoenix, he told my dealer he would be happy to send a Temper for us to try but that we would be very happy with the Phoenix for a bit less. I will bring it out in Oct. for you and Larry to give it a whirl to see what you think.

Travis, changing carts on the Vector is not real easy or quick, and I wouldn't want to do it before Oct. 20 for fear of something not going well before the fest.

I'm really glad your several-month cartridge marathon worked out well for you!

Larry

[garymd]

Bob at Profundo is really raving about the Phoenix, he told my dealer he would be happy to send a Temper for us to try but that we would be very happy with the Phoenix for a bit less. I will bring it out in Oct. for you and Larry to give it a whirl to see what you think.

Travis, changing carts on the Vector is not real easy or quick, and I wouldn't want to do it before Oct. 20 for fear of something not going well before the fest.

I'm really glad your several-month cartridge marathon worked out well for you!

Larry

Travis,

I second Larry's comment. While I appreciate the offer, there is no way I'm taking off my Temper. It's dialed in perfectly and hasn't been removed from the Vector since day 1. Bring your table with it and we'll really have some fun

BTW - I can upgrade to an Orpheus for $2500. Yes, sounds ridiculous I know. My Temper was one of Bob's demos and I paid less than half of retail. I could have bought 2 at that price for what they want for the upgrade! Buying that cart (along with the table and arm for that matter) was one of the best audio decisions I've ever made although at the time I thought it was insane!