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Cartridge Upgrade Advice:

Hi all — I’d love some guidance from this community on choosing my next cartridge upgrade.  I am looking for a “reference” cartridge that can “take it up a notch”.  Thinking $5k max range,

My current system:

  • Turntable: VPI Classic Signature HW with 12” tonearm
  • Phono stage: Manley Chinook (tube)
  • Preamplifier: McIntosh C2800 (tube)
  • Amps: McIntosh MC611 mono blocks (600 wpc)
  • Speakers: Revel Salon 2
  • Current cartridges: Soundsmith Zephyr MIMC ES, Denon 103 (beater), Miyajima Zero (mono)

Upgrade candidates I’m considering:

  • Kiseki Purple Heart
  • Soundsmith Sussurro Mk II
  • Lyra Kleos
  • Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
  • Hana Umami Red

Priorities: I listen to a lot of jazz vocals and large-scale orchestral, with some classic rock. I want resolution and refinement but without harshness, grain, or fatiguing sibilance. Musicality is just as important to me as detail retrieval.

👉 I’ve set up a short poll to keep things organized. Please vote and add your reasoning/experience: [insert link here]

Thank you in advance — your experience will help me (and likely others) make a more informed choice.

Q1. Which cartridge would you recommend for my setup?

  • Kiseki Purple Heart
  • Soundsmith Sussurro Mk II
  • Lyra Kleos
  • Ortofon Cadenza Bronze
  • Hana Umami Red
  • Other (please specify)

 

Q2. Why did you choose this one?

 

Q3. What speakers/amp/TT do you run, and what kind of music do you mostly listen to?

ulcerdoc
ulcerdoc OP
68 posts
 

Thank you.  You certainly have contrasting cartridges in the Decca and the Benz!  The Decca is almost too real for my tastes in vinyl. The Benz seems very mellow.  The Hyperion fits right in the middle of your high end range and is intriguing to me.  I was never sure about the cactus needle cantilever.  I didn’t include it because it was outside the artificial price limit I set. What model of Hyperion do you have?

ulcerdoc OP
68 posts
 

Larsman

Thank you for your response. Can you comment on the Hanna Umami Red sound in your system and whether you think it might work for me over the others?

ulcerdoc OP
68 posts
 

dogberry:

BTW the SS Zephyr MIMC that I own and love is shockingly similar in character to the Hyperion mk II (albeit a little less open/airy).  Definitely a similar “vibe” and DNA.  Obviously no cactus spine.  So I could see progressing in that direction but was maybe hoping for some contrast. 

tablejockey
4,405 posts
 

VPI Classic user.

Addition to your list- consider the Audio Technica ART20. Go ART1000 if you want max your budget for $10K+reference level. The current price is $6K.

I'm like a  broken record with ART recommedations😂

Now using a recently acquired Lyra Delos. Used ART9 and Kiseki Blue.

"Goldilocks"cart choice is difficult to decide.

AT for performance/value. Lyra is everything good you read in reviews.

Soundsmith carts are great. Why not go up the foodchain? I would have the Straingauge setup if I had an uber setup.

My emergency cart is SS Otello that's been in service before the Lyra Delos took over. "Best" $400(now 600) cartridge Ive spent in the audiophoolsihness game.

 

 

 

 

newton_john's avatar
newton_john
580 posts
 

1. I use a Linn Kandid (made by Lyra)

2. It was already fitted to a second hand turntable that I bought last year. 

3. Mainly Linn system of Komris, Klimax Solo 500s and LP12.  See virtual system. Listen to rock, Americana, Jazz fusion, etc. 

I have previous experience of using it going back twelve years and am more than happy with it. All things being equal, I’ll probably buy another one when it needs replacing because of synergy with arm, etc. The 25% trade in allowance offered by Linn would help with that. I’d consider something cheaper or get it retipped, if that saved money without impacting too much on overall performance. 

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