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Goldfinger Statement, Lyra Atlas or Ortofon Anna?

Hello, I'd like to get a new high-resolution MC cartridge for my Versa Dynamics 2.3 turntable.

My favorites in alphabetical order are:

Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement
Lyra Atlas
Ortofon MC Anna

My former cartridges were Clearaudio Insider Reference Wood, Dynavector DRT XV-1s and Ortofon MC A90.

The sound of my system is nearly well balanced, perhaps it is a little bit on the cooler side. Cartridges with too "hot" high frequencies will also not harmonize.

I am looking for: Beautiful Tone colors / timbres, very good sound on strings and nice soundtage with "body" and good depth. Dynamics are not so important to me, my systems sound is already very dynamic.

Perhabs nobody has ever compared all three of the mentioned cartridges, or maybe not even two of the three. But perhaps you have heard one of them or have some impressions and thoughts.

I probably listen to 1/3 jazz, 1/3 classical and 1/3 chorus/vocal.
My phonostage is Audio Research Ref Phono 2, speakers are Genesis II.

What do you thing?
Which not to choose?
Which one to choose?

I look forward to any other suggestions.
Thanks in advance for all of you help and inputs.
Alex
al2

Showing 2 responses by mikelavigne

mikelavigne
2,134 posts
 
i've not heard the Atlas; but i hope to at the Newport Beach show next week.

i have had the Anna since January; and it's the finest cartridge i have heard. simply amazing. i owned 3 A90's and it builds on the strengths of the A90 but has a richer tonal pallette while being more extended, but in particular it is more dynamic and energetic, it has balls!

with all this energy the music happens so easy, it flows and everything is just so natural. it also uncovers more detail than any cartridge i have heard, really master tape like to my ears.

i owned the Olympos SL for 2 years, and it is one of my favorite cartridges. to me the Anna has a touch of the Olympos in terms of tonal sweetness added to the transparency of the A90 plus more energy.

i could not recommend the Anna more highly. if you can listen to an Anna in a familiar system.
mikelavigne
2,134 posts
 
hi Alex,

i've have only heard the Goldfinger at shows in unfamiliar systems, and i'm not sure i've heard the most up to date version at all. my impression was favorable but not very useful; sorry. 10-12 years ago the Clearaudio Insider Gold was my reference cartridge, until i fell under the spell of the vdH Colibri; which i thought at the time was much better and especially more alive sounding.

sorry i can't be more help.
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