Anyone using the Clear Audio Virtuoso Wood?

In normal operation, I tend to agree about the Dynavectors being good all-rounders, but they are a little touchy-feely, round, plummy, whatever... more like the $100. Grado I'm using. It sounds great on the Space, but I think I need something a little clearer, maybe.

Not so sure I could as easily categorize the Shelter, for instance. I do love the Lyra's I've heard. I know some people think they sound cold, but they feel so damn clear and accurate. No shrillness either.

Anyone know if high end shrillness is part of a moving magnet signature?

What kind of phonostage were you using John?

It's from a '70's Kenwood called a KR-44 - midline from '77. I like it as well as the Grado I've heard and think it's a decent comparable solid state-wise to the EAR 834. Both are phono's I like, despite their respective probs. Plus the Kenwood actually uses higher quality parts than either of those. Like I said, I've been restoring it, and it's all elna, noble, orange tops (not orange drop). Much better than the starter Project phonostage I had. Basically a lot of older equipment just seems to have phonostages that are better than what you find in good integrateds now - back when I thought cats and tubes wouldn't mix (they do) I had thought maybe I would go Levinson or Arcam for an integrated, but their add-on stages were definitely not this good.

Actually, the Kenwood has made me think I may need to redefine my buy in price point. I had said about a third of a good preamp, e.g. about $1200-1400 (e.g. an EAR 834p with the volume run directly into my amp). On the other hand, I had been thinking about getting something like a Cary SLP98, which would match my Rocket. But I think I have decided against it as I would like something tubed but solid state regulated like Acoustic Research or the Cary 308. But then again, I could spend a lot of money and get something I don't like; for instance the standalone Pass Xono just did't do it for me. I have to say the Steelhead at that astronomical $7300. is the best of all worlds; but you know, like ow, even though in theory I can afford it.

You would think if the acoustic signature/over capacitance thing about MM's was true, you would be noticing it with gear as transparent as a BAT/Maggies combo?

BTW - KJ, I know how you feel about Benz's, my experience with them has been that they sound exciting for about five minutes and then like romanticized mush. Too warm and imprecise with highlighted micro-dynamics to get you to say "wow", but somehow then they just lose their appeal. I want something that sounds new and true to me everyday, not just pretty.

I just saw another thread here on 'gon where a guy had gone from Clear Audio to Lyra to good results. I may give Lyra a try.

Shasta - Are you talking about the Lyra or did you have a problem with the Clear Audio and the importer Musical Surroundings - in my experience they are total jackasses. But I was wondering if you would offer up a compare/contrast of your from/to cartridge odyssey.

Hey - Someone send me an email as to who this is.

Shasta - Hey, where'd you go?