ZYX cartridges

Lewm,I doubt you've followed many of my posts for the last few months.

I say this with respect,and not to be defensive at all.There's a reason I say this....

My set-up has been down(in the analog domain)for almost a year.The Orpheus(which I got last Fall,and is still new) would be just fine,if I can get the damn system up again.That's why I only have 12 hrs on it,from "last" September.
I'm not the type to "have" to obtain the absolute latest figamajig,but I've not been able to do anything but "swoon" over new/fun stuff lately....There's nothing else for me to do,in "this" hobby,for now.
You misunderstood my original enthusiasm.It was enthusiastic curiosity....That's all!

Best

I thought redtops post funny and of course theres no way the shure outperforms the zyx until I read rauls post recommending the b&o's. Ive owned the shures iii,1v and v and the b&o 1,2,and 3 I found the shure's superior to the b&o's in every way (with a variety of pres and tonearms) so by extrapolation mabey the shure would best the zyx. I also tried a zyx in my system and could have lived with it very happily (edged out by a stradivari) Your cartridge preference will have as much to do with your speakers as well as myriad other things and in fact the shure may work better in some systems.

Piedpiper,I am aware of the new Air Tight design,and have a friend who may get one.He's hinted about replacing his fabulous Titan i.

The Magic Diamond "newbie" is interesting,in that "they" never seemed to have alot of exposure in the USA.I know Loyd Walker likes these alot,and I've heard the Magic Diamond a few times,using my own Decca Classical LP's.Very nice!!

I "think" that the new Magic Diamond designs could easily be the cartridges "they" have made before,but did not sell here.Like the Virus,and another one.I believe there is also a mono design around.Could be wrong though.

This is totally conjecture on my part!!I'm only a BIG fan of "serious" analog toys.NOT an expert,by any stretch.

You can call me a "Yenta",and that would probably be a better fit -:)

Best

IMHO, the new Orpheus Low is much better than the normal version for not much more money. I've compared the two directly. If I had the chance to do a low loss trade I'd jump on it. And the low output version is still not that low, as I said before. Most any preamp that can handle the other version with ease can do the same this one. Having said all that, I wouldn't sweat it, just bear it in mind. Of course my original mention of it was to Lewm who was considering the Orpheus.

I trust all this will be taken as informative rather than advertising. Just ask me to shush if I'm pushing the rules too much.

dealer disclosure.

Dear Rccc: Nice to see your experiences on MM type cartridges.

Just to be sure I mounted today the MMC2 in the GST-801 with a Nagaoka magnesium headshell and is an awesome performer.
My experiences on those B&O and the V15-V as you know are different from yours but our systems are different too and probably our music sound reproduction priorities too.

As I reported some where even the M97 like me in some way over the V15. The V15 sample that I owned I try it in two different tonearms and with different headshells in my Essential 3160 Phonolinepreamp loaded at 100K ( I try it at 47K too ) and 150pf ( try it with different capacitance values. ), I have no doubt: the B&O ( in my system ) works/performs better by a wide margin.

I don't try more time on the Shure because I own not only the B&O that outperform it but IMHO many other cartridges too and someone told me about the M97 and I buy it and overall performs a little better, maybe my V15 was not a very good sample I can't be sure.

Anyway the subject is to try different alternatives like you are doing it.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.