cartridge Benz, Koestu, Lyra

Hi Jeff, it's a system synergy and taste thing really! I heard a Glider in a system using class d amps and it sounded amazing (a good balance of warm cart and clinical electronics).

I have an '80s Koetsu Black, which was inspected and re-tipped about 2 years ago (the suspension was given a clean bill of health btw). I love my Koetsu and could never sell it, however I prefer my XX-2 for its incisiveness and more "up-front" dynamics. The Lyras sound a little lean, lacking "sound density" for my ears - they tend to be good partners with dark sounding components (Garrard 301/401, SME tables, warm tube amps) and I would guess might sound too bright to you after your Benz.

I haven't heard the wood bodied Benz carts, however generally you get "more of the same but better" when you move up a manufacturer's line. A friend who has heard them all rates the Benz LP as very close to the Dyna XV1-S and ahead of the Zyx Universe, for its naturalness and ability to play good and bad recordings equally well.

You can usually make big savings buying used, provided you have access to a reliable cartridge rebuilder should it be necessary.

When rebuilding a cartridge, both the components used and the craftsman doing the work have a significant effect on the resulting sound. If the cartridge rebuilder is not the same as the original manufacturer, neither the components nor the craftsman will be the same as the original, hence it is to be expected that the sound will be different.

jonathan carr

Dear jeff: I think that there are many cartridge options over the Glider and this depends on your budget.

My advise is that till you own a very top rate phonolinepreamp stay with a " middle " top cartridge that are really good performers, example: Sumiko Blackbird, Sumiko Celebration, Lyra Dorian, Dynavector 17D2, etc, etc.

Now, you could buy second hand but like John posted it is a little risky. Btw, there are very good cartridge rebuilders but like Jonathan posted the original cartridge source has some advantages about.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Hi Jeff..John is righ on... the Helikon is not an overkill. The benz is warmer (not as much as "very"-just a bit). Have a go at it. They both work very well in my 10.5 arm

Rick (RWD)

I appreciate all of your advice, I have made a deal on a Koestu Black. I hope I made a good decision.
Raul,
Are you saying my weak link is the PH5? I would have thought it would be the Scout.

Thanks
Jeff