Proteus compared to MSL ultra eminent ex


Hi Everyone,

Hoping to find some folks who have experience with both of these cartridges. I already have a Proteus, which I love. I have another, different, excellent cartridge with which I'm having some problems, and I am looking for a low internal impedance (<5 ohm) reasonable output cartridge (> .2-.3 mV) to replace it. As low noise as possible. I am just wondering whether the ultra eminent EX from my sonic labs would sound very similar to the Proteus that I already have. If so, I would probably consider getting something with a slightly different sonic signature. Thanks in advance for your opinions.
arsh

Showing 3 responses by mijostyn

Yes, the company has folded. 

Arsh, I think edgewear was on to something with the A95. The Windfeld Ti is the A95 in a body. It has a 7 ohm impedance and 0.2 mv output.
This is a great cartridge. It is a fine tracker and is as neutral as they get.
Now, if you really want mid bass slam and snare drums that snap get a Clearaudio Charisma V2. I have never heard a moving coil cartridge punch the way this thing does. I listened to the Chilli Peppers Blood Sugar Sex Magik  last night. Flea's bass jumped out of the speakers. 
It tracks like a bandit. It has exactly the same stylus and cantilever as the Goldfinger. I had not purchased a MM cartridge since the late 70's. After reading some reviews I got a wild hair and bought one. Comparing it to the Windfeld Ti, the Windfeld has less punch and is more neutral where I think the Charisma is a little more tilted towards the bass. Both are very quiet trackers. Both have perfectly aligned cantilevers and beautifully mounted diamonds. I get the feeling that the Windfeld has darker backgrounds and perhaps it is a little more detailed but the real eye opener is the dynamics of the Charisma. Some of this may be due to the phono amp. Very quiet phono amps with more gain may bring out dynamics in moving coils better. All this is no reflection on the Windfeld Ti. It is just that the Charisma is that good. If Rock and Roll is your thing this is your cartridge. 
My Sonic Labs makes an excellent cartridge. I have heard the Signature Platinum through a CH Precision Phono amp through a set of medium sized Wilson's (don't remember the model.) and it was beautiful. I would not pay that much for it. The only $10,000 cartridge I would go for would be the Lyra Atlas. The Ultra Eminent Ex is a similar design with an even lower impedance and different body material. It has to be a better value. It is just about the same price as the Windfeld Ti. 

Some day some smart wealthy audiophile is going to buy one of every cartridge out there and rent them for a week at a time. When you return it safely your card gets refunded. If you buy the cartridge the rental fee is deducted.  Elusive Disc and Music Direct should start offering such a service. I would use it in a heartbeat.
yeti42, assuming that the SPU's stylus is OK to run at 3 grams because it has a different shape is a mistake. I do not know what the difference in record wear is but it is certainly higher than the Proteus. 
You have a wonderful arm but it is too light for either the SPU,  Koetsu or Anna. This will effect tracking and low bass performance.
The Proteus is a good match and Ana has a great reputation. I would certainly consider getting it rebuilt. You want to stick to cartridges with compliances in the 12 to 20 um/mN. Your cartridge mounting plates will work great in this range. The Lyra cartridges are a great choice. The Ortifon WIndfeld Ti, any Clearaudio MC cartridge would also work. From a value perspective given your apparent preferences the Kiseki Purple Heart would be perfect.
Arsh, that is VPI's best arm. It is very light considering it's length. EF is 12.5 gms about the same as the SME V 12. You can put pretty much any modern cartridge on it. For most MC cartridges you will have to add some mass which is never a problem you just need a good test record with resonance tracks on it and a set of head shell weights and screws.