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Moving coil cartridge advice needed

A friend recently acquired a VPI Aries turnable with JMW Memorial arm and asked my advice on a good but not outrageous MC cartridge, say around $1,000.

He has a phono pre that will support the lowest output cartridges. He listens to a broad range of popular music, although I've gotten him sampling some jazz and classical lately. Accuracy in soundstaging and transients, deep well controlled bass and good tracking are important.

Ones which came to my mind - Benz Micro (Ref 2 silver, L2, Glider L2), Clearaudio Sigma Wood, Dynavector Karat 17D2 Mk II, Lyra Lydian Beta and Shelter 501. I've only heard the Dynavector personally (excellant cartridge, IMHO). Read that the Benz's are very "warm", which if true, may not be optimal given his listening tastes. Comments on these or
other recommendations most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Doug
grandpad
grandpad OP
151 posts
 
Twl, you nailed an issue that I should have mentioned and forgot. I haven't seen my friends VPI/JMW setup yet, and have no experience with either. Thanks for picking up my oversight and your lucid explanation of its implications.

Interestingly, I find the Helikon SL works well in my Graham 2.2 (which has anti-skate) w/Oracle V so perhaps the 12cu treads the margin.

My Koetsu Urushi & Onyx (medium-low compliance) did not mate well with the Graham, and a Shelter 901 was a complete miss-match, supporting Twl's position. All 3 work fine in a SME V.

Thanks for everyone's help - any more ideas?
rwd
695 posts
 
Hi Doug!

If you live in the Tri-State area (New York) you are most welcomed to come by and listen (see) my Aries/JWM/Helikon set up!

Regards...
Rick
sayas
181 posts
 
I have not had the luxury of a second cartridge comparison and therefore comments about the sound of the Helikon are moot.

What I do enjoy is the image and soundstage delivered by my system. Is there a better cartridge arm combo out there, I don't know but this one certainly is entertaining. I assume that because there is a focused soundstage that the 12.5/Helikon combo is a good balance. Probably is/are better just don't know about it or willing to spend the dough.

TWL thanks for your response.
twl
3,251 posts
 
Sayas, I do think that due to the length of the 12.5 arm, there is a better match there than with the 10.5 or 9. There is more mass and better angle. Also, I am hearing from others that the Helikon is working for them in JMW arms. So it seems that it falls on the good side of the "borderline". I am sure that your setup sounds great, because you would surely know about a mismatch if you had one. This is good info for me, and others, about this combo. When the indicators are borderline, it is very hard to make a definitive statement about matchup, one way or the other. I just tried to use the manufacturers guidelines, and some previous experience to guide my recommendation.
grandpad OP
151 posts
 
Twl, does your Teres TT sound as good as it looks - WOW! Rwd, I live in Southampton, NY and my friend is in Easthampton. Where do you hang you hat?
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