DRT XV1s Vs Orpheus Vs Shelter Harmony Vs 47 Labs

Jtim,

beautifully balanced effective writing.

Timmy,

I didn't understand your comment so I re-read my post, and I still don't understand your comment. Help me out here...

My one use of the word "best" was in a doubly qualified sentence, limited to the OP's particular list of cartridges and also to his stated listening preferences, just as you so wisely recommend.

I didn't say the Orpheus is the abolute "best" - did I? Nor did I compare it to any of the cartridges you listed. Again, help me out. I want to understand your concern.

Bhoage,

Sorry if we rained on the Jubilee, but you knew this somewhere in your heart or you wouldn't have asked. ;-) Each of your other analog components is at or near the top class. The obvious next move is to make your cartridge so. At least you'll have fun doing it, whatever you choose.

Arm/cartridge matching and cartridge/phono stage matching are both critical, but table/cartridge matching is virtually a non-issue IME. The Orpheus and any ZYX are well known to be excellent matches for your Phantom. Their output and impedance requirements are similar enough so that your Tron should have no problems with either.

I believe the Orpheus can be had for ~$3K or a little above, ask some owners if you need a source. (There's a used one listed if you're willing to take that risk.) The Atmos can be had new for $3600 from SORAsound, the US distributor who sells on A'gon. I've had them both in my system but at different times and with notable system improvements in between, so I can't offer a comparison except to say they're both exceptionally good for the sonic preferences you stated. I haven't heard the PC-1.

Doug

P.S. If you're in the UK, I know a great dealer who sells both Transfiguration and ZYX, and also carries Phantom and Tron! You could probably compare in his shop on a setup very much like your own.

Tim, Thank you so much for sharing your reviews of the various phonostages. I currently own the Artemis Labs Ph-1 and was very curious as to how your felt it worked with the Orpheus. The comparisons of the other stages were of benefit as well.

>>The Orpheus and the Aritight PC1 are my favorite kings of the hill.>>

Ditto. I'd add the Dynavector XV-1s as the third.

In that order.

I've heard all of them along with a couple cartridges mentioned in this thread using 5 tonearms/4 tables here over the past 2 years. The two you mentioned simply suit my tastes better than the others.

Dealer disclaimer

Piedpiper - thanks! Douglas - no hidden meanings or agendas or point scorings or spoofings or feather rufflings or tweakings or critiquing fun at anyones expense were meant by my comments. Top-notch amps, and preamps, and other gears are often discussed in these fora. Whenever you've got a group of superlative products its hard to pick any single one as the top or an 'objective' best over others, with the net result being a personal choice founded on one's sonic priorities and preferences and what one hears. I wasn' trying to explain what you said, or argue different from it, just adding my own comment to yours in a friendly way. With the emoticon added from your post as an attempt to say 'I hear ya' or 'Amen' or whatever empathy neuron cares to fire. And hey - guess what I bought - a cocbolo armboard drilled for a triplanar.

Tim