2. analog
  3. 1140727350

Ideal TT & Arm for the following top cartridges...

Koetsu RS Platinum
Van Den Hul Colibri XGW
Miyabi/47 Labs
Allaerts MC2 Finish

So the search is on. I agree with a colleague's comment that although it is convenient for AB'ing cartridges, my VPI extended Aries (ver. 1, no flywheel, no SDS) with a 12.6 bearing assembly and JMW 12.5 and two 12.6 armwands does not fully show the potential of these cartridges. Certainly I can upgrade to the Aries 3 and add the flywheel and SDS or step up to the TNT line, but considering the performance level of these cartirdges, I do not want to overlook something else.

The Allaerts is enroute so I cannot comment on it yet. But I really like the RSP and Miyabi (the RSP being more refined overall) vs. the VDH for now. It could be a loading issue (now at 250 Ohms) but the VDH, although fast, transparent, detailed and dimensional, it is also lean and uninvolving (I hear the VDH platinum option can address this).

So I would appreciate your recommendations on a TT and Arm combo in the $5k-10k range as used/demo demo pieces that are capable of showcasing the performance potential of these fine cartridges. Feel free to make a single recommendation (arm or TT only) or synergistic combination.

The rest of the system includes the Ear 88pb phono stage, a modded Electron Images MCP-1 and trying a friend's Whest PS 2.0 for kicks (a Wavestream Kinetics phonostage is coming), Bent TX103 step up as needed, First Sound Paramount Mk II pre, Dehavilland Aries 845G monoblocks (NOS tubed), highly modded Coincident Milleniums.

TIA & best regards!
ctm_cra
ctm_cra OP
86 posts
 
Dear Vetterone - We recently revisited the question of the sonic characteristics of the Phantom vs. the Brinkman arms. If you recall last time we compared the Brinkman arm/cartridge combo vs the Phantom/90x on the La Grange. This time we used two cartridges - the Dyna XV-1S and the Shelter 90X, evaluating them one at a time mounting/aligning each one on both arms on the fabulous Brinkman tt.

Consistent with our suspicions that began when we first visited this topic, it was unanimous among the members of our local audio club who were present that the Brinkman arm tends to be more analytical and tonally thinner than the Phantom, at least across these two cartridges. The owner was so convinced that he ended up selling his Brinkman arm to fund his next tonearm to audition (a Morsiani, Helius, Da Vinci, Pluto or Tri-Planar). Interestingly, he is bypassing the Schroeder as he feels the TP can at least equal its performance.
ebarker2
64 posts
 
Raul is absolutely right about tonearm & phonostage matching with the Mc2 Finish. I use it now with a Schroeder DPS, but have ordered a Reference SQ because while the DPS is an excellent match sonically once you've found the right settings, the cartidge really asks to be reset up for 180 gm records, and its a bit of a job without repeatable fine-tuning.

Also re the pbonostage, I can confirm that using a non-exceptional phonostage will loose what is extraordinary about this cartridge. The other problem that is vital is to check that your phonostage/s don't produce any kind of dc kickback, or there is a danger of melting the coils. I use it with a Groove Plus, but turn the phono on for two hours before plugging in cart, and never switch immediately off and then on again. One also has to be particularly careful with valve phonostages. The valve phono that is compatible is the new Tron (which I hope to try), but I fear that there is no SUT I can find that actually sees 845 Ohms (this is absolutely vital with the Finish).
brizonbiovizier
124 posts
 
Which phono stage did you use and was the brinkmann emt correctly loaded? It really needs 600 ohms and some cap loading as well.
vincentkkho
53 posts
 
If your friend can spare you with his Whest. You can try using Tranny TemperV with Moerch DP-6 arm.
The best combo still the Miyabi 47lab with Triplanar7 mounted on Spacedeck and ASR Basis Exclusive.
Koetsu Coral with Triplanar7 and ASR (loading 65ohm) gives interesting result as well.
ctm_cra OP
86 posts
 
Ebarker2 - I have no direct experience with the MC2 Finish. I just missed the chance to try it with the Wavestream Kinetics and I am kicking myself for not prioritizing it.

However, I thought it would be worthwhile to mention that an MC2 Finish owner, who has tried many arms, does not recommend the Schroeder or any wood tonearms with this cartridge. It just happens that the Allaerts distributor also represents Schroeder. However, this does not necessarily mean that this is the best arm to use. If you have extensively listened with other arms and settled on the Schroeder, then please detail your findings.

As to DC kickback, please pardon the following rookie-like questions. Exactly how does one know or measure if they have this or not? Besides melting the coils on the cartridge, how does it manifest itself through the system? In other words what early symptoms, subtle or otherwise, should one be looking for?
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