Lewn back in the day i was a user of B&O sp 8,10 a wealth of Ortofons and of course Deccas. Like your self never a Shure fan.
On the subject though i got into the ZYX line by getting a Airy 3 second hand from Audiogon. This was a very large improvement over what i was using Dynavector 20XL. I enjoyed this fine cartridge until my inquistiveness got the best of me and i went with a UNIverse. I enjoyed its fine musical presentation for over a year and a half when mishap and bone headiness came into play. I now have over 40hrs on my replacement UNIverse. I have to say its fun to hear the break in process but breaking my seasoned UNIverse that was like losing your best friend. I did audition a Atmos and a fine performer it is. But once you have heard UNIverse in your system all bets are off. You know its a winner right out of the box.
And to make all much easier for going with ZYX is Mr Mehran one of the finest in all of audio.
On the subject though i got into the ZYX line by getting a Airy 3 second hand from Audiogon. This was a very large improvement over what i was using Dynavector 20XL. I enjoyed this fine cartridge until my inquistiveness got the best of me and i went with a UNIverse. I enjoyed its fine musical presentation for over a year and a half when mishap and bone headiness came into play. I now have over 40hrs on my replacement UNIverse. I have to say its fun to hear the break in process but breaking my seasoned UNIverse that was like losing your best friend. I did audition a Atmos and a fine performer it is. But once you have heard UNIverse in your system all bets are off. You know its a winner right out of the box.
And to make all much easier for going with ZYX is Mr Mehran one of the finest in all of audio.