What cartridges would best sound an Ekos arm?

Point taken Theo, but I was talking about an Expert Stylus re-tipped Troika, which is a major improvement on the original. Major.

Anyway, interesting posts. Ekos + Troika (ES re-tip) is top banana. 20 years later - see my first post - I'm not saying it's the "best" arm/cartridge combination ever, I'm only talking about the Ekos as that's what this thread started as - However I keep coming back to this combination as my second arm, it's really special, especially for rock and has a amazing "thrill" factor.

Hey Raul,

You say "There are some vintage MM/MI cartridges that for " penauts " are a challenge even for the A-90"

Are you serious? Really? What... ?

Yes, the A90 is "something". Something that I've never heard before in a cartridge. It's out there on it's own, in my experience. It is amazing.

Sprog, my comments were directed at Marcussantiago in answer to his question and not at your response. He was asking for opinions on what cartridges would be recommended. I responded with my experience, which is one mans opinion, that I wanted to share with him. It was only a suggestion to him, and was not directed at your contribution. So I appologize for any misinterpretation that my comments were directed at you.

TO:Marcussantiago, I only suggest that you take a look at the Lyra products as they are pleasing to my ears and work well with my system, I updated my cartridge as my Troika was in great shape and very sellable. I did not sell it because it was inferior in any way, however I (personal opinion)felt it was of an older design and the new Lyras presented a new application of new technology. Take a look at thir website and read what they have done, also Fremer wrote a pretty good review of the Delos a few months back in Stereophile. the tough part about getting a new cartridge is especially on an Linn is that it is no easy to change them in and out for demos. I always remove my arm to change it per my dealers strong insistance to prevent bearing damage. I adhere to this because I can't afford to find out if he is right or wrong by ruining a great arm.

Final Note: All other suggestions here are valid and good mine is just in addition to those stated, I am not familiar with them and may come to find out I might have researched my purchase further, that's what I like about AudioGon is the contined learning about this passion we have for music reproduction.

Dear Sprog: I own and owned a lot of LOMC cartridges and I had at least three times for a while the A-90 in my system as many other times that I heard almost all the MC cartridges out there in different system.

The LOMC cartridge alternative is just that " an alternative " a very good indeed but in the other side exist and is alive the MM/MI cartridge alternative that's through my experiences with in the last 4-5years and in the experiences of many other Agon people tell us that it is a very good alternative too " surprisinly " good and with several advantages against the LOMC alternative.

Years ago I was sceptic/sceptical like you till I try, learn on the subject and found out that there is no single reason why " no body cares on the MM/MI alternative " but we all are victims of the " commercial corrupted " part of the AHEE.

Well if you want to test and know a little about the quality performance flavor of those MM/MI cartridges then this one can show you of what I'm talking about and till today what you are missing or not:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nagatron-9600E-Induced-Magnet-Cartridge-NOS-/280595124062?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4154c5cf5e#ht_1386wt_1139

If you have time you can contact these Agon persons on the whole subject and ask what are their opinion on MM/MI cartridges like:

Technics EPC P100CMK4 or Empire D4000III or Audio Technica AT20SS or AT24/25:

http://forums.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vaslt&1205390334

http://forums.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vaslt&1121531113

and obviously you can read about on that very long thread and in my Agon official reviews:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&&&/Who-needs-a-MM-cartridge-type-when-we-ha

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr_memb.pl?0&1&listrevs&zzRauliruegas

there are many people that could give you their opinions as there are several MM/MI cartridges that performs at the nera, at the same level and even that outperform not only the A-90 but IMHO any LOMC cartridge out there.

Anyway as I told you the MM/MI is just another analog source alternative.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

What phono stage are you using Raul?