hi Guys, thanks for your kind words. before i continue with my 'ramble' i'll try to answer/comment on your posts.
Doug,
the UNIverse was copper coiled and had the silver headshell weight.
Smokester,
yes, i have compared the Colibri to my much-loved Koetsu RSP. the RSP is pure 'butta'......and surprisingly dynamic and alive. the Colibri leaves the RSP in the dust in most areas.
i have not listened to my RSP for about three years. i should listen again. i still think the RSP is a magical cartridge with the proper low noise/high gain phono stage. i'll bet the darTZeel preamp will prove a great match with the RSP.
the cartridge that needs to be compared to the RSP is the Dynavector XV-1s. the question would be......does the Koetsu have more magic in the mids and more bloom than the XV-1s? i guess i could answer that question when i'm again in the mood for another round.
Nsgarch,
what loading seems to be ideal for the UNIverse? and how does 100ohms compare sonically to that ideal load?
your point is well taken. unfortunately; the timing of the opportunity to compare these cartridges left me with no other choice regarding loading.
BTW, i didn't really hear much character difference from the UNIverse between the 400ohm loaded Lamm LP2 and the 100ohm loaded dart.
i do think set-up was pretty close to ideal; but nothing substitutes for extended tweaking. the Rockport allows for dynamic VTA adjustments so it was quite easy to find the sweet spot. in addition; it is likely that the Rockport allows for optimal circumstances for most cartridges considering vaccuum hold-down and extremely low noise floor. OTOH one might have different results with less ideal conditions.
sirspeedy,
thanks. i was looking forward to your comments and glad you weighed in.
my feelings were same as yours. i'd read the raves on the UNIerse and was quite curious. really; what i heard was impressive and not disappointing. of course, i've not completed my story yet or detailed my conclusion.
i do tell it like it is......and sometimes regret it. i try to explain the limitations of any listening i do and allow the reader to draw their own conclusions. to me that has more value than watered down comments.
in any case; there is only context......not absolutes.
Doug,
the UNIverse was copper coiled and had the silver headshell weight.
Smokester,
yes, i have compared the Colibri to my much-loved Koetsu RSP. the RSP is pure 'butta'......and surprisingly dynamic and alive. the Colibri leaves the RSP in the dust in most areas.
i have not listened to my RSP for about three years. i should listen again. i still think the RSP is a magical cartridge with the proper low noise/high gain phono stage. i'll bet the darTZeel preamp will prove a great match with the RSP.
the cartridge that needs to be compared to the RSP is the Dynavector XV-1s. the question would be......does the Koetsu have more magic in the mids and more bloom than the XV-1s? i guess i could answer that question when i'm again in the mood for another round.
Nsgarch,
what loading seems to be ideal for the UNIverse? and how does 100ohms compare sonically to that ideal load?
your point is well taken. unfortunately; the timing of the opportunity to compare these cartridges left me with no other choice regarding loading.
BTW, i didn't really hear much character difference from the UNIverse between the 400ohm loaded Lamm LP2 and the 100ohm loaded dart.
i do think set-up was pretty close to ideal; but nothing substitutes for extended tweaking. the Rockport allows for dynamic VTA adjustments so it was quite easy to find the sweet spot. in addition; it is likely that the Rockport allows for optimal circumstances for most cartridges considering vaccuum hold-down and extremely low noise floor. OTOH one might have different results with less ideal conditions.
sirspeedy,
thanks. i was looking forward to your comments and glad you weighed in.
my feelings were same as yours. i'd read the raves on the UNIerse and was quite curious. really; what i heard was impressive and not disappointing. of course, i've not completed my story yet or detailed my conclusion.
i do tell it like it is......and sometimes regret it. i try to explain the limitations of any listening i do and allow the reader to draw their own conclusions. to me that has more value than watered down comments.
in any case; there is only context......not absolutes.