2. analog
  3. 135227-71092

Which pickup do I sell, which do I keep?

My analog setup:
Verdier la Platine with 3 arms/pickups:
1) SME V / London Decca Reference
2) Fidelity Research FR 64 s / Kondo Audio Note Io ii
3) Fidelity Research FR 64 fx / SoundSmith DL 103 R Gold OR Koetsu Coralstone

I´m in a real dilemma here. Tonally, the SoundSmith DL 103 R gold is extremely close to the Koetsu Coralstone, and sounds gorgeous, very dynamic. The Koetsu may have a little more to give in the bass, but it´s very close. 

Now, I dont´t really think that there is enough room for a fourth arm on the Verdier. And if I could fit in one more arm, I would have to buy a second phono amp. (My Manley Steelhead can only cater for three pickups) .

As far as I can see, one of the pickups has to go. Either I sell the Koetsu Coralstone. That would probably be easy, but I would probably take a heavy financial loss. Less so if I sell the SoundSmith, but it would probably be a heavier sell. It´s not a well-known pickup, and I don´t really want to let it go. 

Looking for opinions, advice. 


tkr

Showing 5 responses by tkr

tkr OP
100 posts
 
Haha, will do! 
I like all three arms, and none of them are up for sale.
tkr OP
100 posts
 
I don`t actually have room for another turntable. And I don`t really want to buy a second phono stage.
Apart from that, there is no point in having all that equipment if you don`t intend to use it. There is a limit to how much time I want to spend listening to music. Three different "flavors" (i.e.  Audio Note, London or SoundSmith/Koetsu) is enough.
tkr OP
100 posts
 
Now, that is a good idea! 
tkr OP
100 posts
 
Thanks!
I did exactly that. I found an Ortofon headshell, mounted the Coralstone in my FR 64 FX, and tried it out. It sounded better than it did in the SME V, and it won`t be sold anytime soon. 

Downstream equipment: Metric Halo ULN 8 ADC/DAC/Pre/digital crossover- biamped into CJ Premier 350/CJ ET 250S- Overkill Encore loudspeakers
tkr OP
100 posts
 
First of all, thanks for the Nasotec- tip. I will try to find out a bit more about it.

I would be ever so grateful if you could describe the SME V/ London Ref sound in comparison to the FR 64s/ Kondo, and if you mount the Koetsu in this how that sounds too, compared to the LR. It is a wonderful system you have assembled there!

Thanks, I´ll try:

1) It shouldn´t be a surprise that the London Ref is a real seat-of-your-pants-ride. It´s extremely dynamic, and makes everything sound exciting. For the heck of it I put on "Elton John`s Greatest Hits", and I have never heard Sir Elton that lively....A fun experience.
I had to increase the damping on the SME V to get rid of some "zinginess", but after that, the LR behaved very well, particularly in the mids. A lovely cartridge IMO, but something of a Paralympics winner. It does some things very well, others not at all. For example, don´t even try to use it on even slightly warped records.

2) The Kondo set up in the FR 64 S is pure seduction! The mids are to die for, bass is very good and it is also hugely dynamic. 

3) The Koetsu Coralstone matches a bit better with the FR 64 FX than with the SME V IMO. Haven`t tried it on the FR 64 S yet. It`s a bit more forward than the Kondo, and it has a bit more midbass bloom in the FR arm. It`s also the deep bass champ, btw.

Long post, hope this helps.

  Regards tkr


    

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