How do you like the Shyla? I believe that one is based on AT ART9.
Stylus cleaners
I used to use Onzo ZeroDust with my first few cartridges years ago. With the last two cartridges, Hana ML, I have only been using the included Hana brush for every side of LP and the MoFi LP-9 liquid stylus cleaner (I get as much fluid out of the brush by pressing it against the neck of the bottle before I clean stylus) every 3-4 records.
Onzo is collecting dust especially since the Fremer’s The Tracking Angle article.
I’ve been looking at DS Audio ST-50 but at $80 I’m not sure it will do anything better than my current cleaning methods.
What’s your stylus cleaning routine?
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- 185 posts total
I like the Shyla. It very clear and open, pretty much like all the other gear I've chosen. VPI took the AT cartridge and enhanced the midrange, but the cartridge sounds balanced. It's tuned to VPI turntables. For years I used tube gear, but I'm getting too old to crouch in the 20" space behind my racks and change tubes. I had the ARC Reference 3 preamp and PH-7 phono preamp, which did not sound too bloomy. Both were pretty clear. I find that the Pass Labs gear has a very similar sound, with the treble just slightly rolled to avoid treble harshness. When I began with tubes, I didn't think there was much to replace them, but now there is. My amp is a 20+ year old Hovland Radia, which was the only solid state piece of gear from Hovland. It is a very sweet amp.
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@audio-b-dog very good. I’m really digging the Hana ML cartridge on my VPI Prime X. Sounds great. Will probably be going up the Hana line when ready for upgrade. |
I'm curious what you replaced the Pass Labs with. Also what speakers you have. I purchased the Sonus Faber Olympica Nova speakers about a year ago. They are voiced with a more transparent tweeter than the old rolled=off romantic Sonus Fabers. I love the speakers. They are truly high end, but when I play vinyl they can become a bit harsh. Thus, the Pass Labs. The Pass Labs phono preamp XP-25 has a lot of adjustments including capacitance. By playing with the phono preamp settings I was able to tame the tweeter. I love these speakers! |
@audio-b-dog Replaced the Pass separates with Boulder 866 integrated. Wilson Sabrina speakers. Whest Two.2 phono stage. I run Kimber Carbon phono cables from table into phono stage and a pair of Kimber Carbon XLRs from phono stage into amp. |
- 185 posts total