I forgot, two of my TTs are VPI, an HW-40 and an HW-19 w/SME 3009 (two arms Series II and Series III which I switch depending on cartridge). Set up using AnalogMagik.
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?
- ...
- 33 posts total
I can’t really vote because the only cartridge I have experience with is the cadenza bronze, which I own. based on your description of what you want, it seems that it would be a good match. It provides detail and resolutions, but also a touch of warmth. More warm than the cadenza black, for example. Good cart for acoustic and female vocals. Typical Ortofon build quality. |
Keith listens to Audio Technica cartridges on his VPI tables. I have used all the above brands and most of the same models listed above. I love the Miyajima cartridges and since found a lot of listening joy with the EMT cartridges. I have not cared much for the Ortofon’s unless they are SPU G or A type with Replicant 100 stylus. I took a flier on the Ana Mighty Sound from France cartridges and thought very highly highly of them as well, I value the traditional analog definition of sound vs the highly detailed treble tipped sound of some of the brands listed above. The VPI tables with the right cartridge can have a nice weighty dynamic sound to them paired with the Herron phono. Good luck with the search… |
@ulcerdoc My Hyperion is an ES MkII, as I couldn't stretch to the MR version. I have heard many people say good things about the Sussurro Gold, too. It's a Sussurro with an MR stylus. |
- 33 posts total