ZYX R-1000 Series Omega-S


Some time ago, I had been considering buying one more new MC carts and had posted a thread under the title of “Phase Tech P-1G and ZYX Omega-S”. I have finally chosen the latter, i.e. ZYX Omega-S. For their basic design theories, please serve yourself browsing the official websites as I won’t repeat the details here. The following is my brief impression and unofficial opinion on the cart after playing it for around 50-60 hours in my system.

Setting up:
The arm tube or the baseline of the cart is roughly parallelled to a flat record when playing. The VTF applied is slightly less than 2.0 gm for the moment when the room temp is around 18-20 degree in Celsius (around 64-68F), relative humidity is around 80% when auditioning. The VTF applied sounded very good to my ears but couldn’t make it a cart with the best trackability on HFN and Analogue Productions test records (frankly, it doesn't really bother me:). In finding suitable VTFs, I would first experiment finding the lightest VTF which could track well on those test records (with this Omega-S, it was around 2.1-2.15g) with a minimum anti-skating force applied. Then, try lower the VTF by playing different music on different records (probably the ones that would be used in the listening sessions), the practical “sweet spot” of VTF for actual playing would be established according to our preference, and for this subject review sample is slightly less than 2 g.

Choosing step-up transformers:
Breaking in a cart is always time-consuming, Omega-S was of no exception. As its sound started to stabilize (like a bottle of Penfold's Grange in the decanter, taste excellent!!!), I began to play around with my SUTs (Phase Tech T-3, Stage 302, the one built in EAR 88PB). With Phase Tech T-3, the sound was marginally acceptable but the resolution and tonal balance was not the best. With Stage 302, it was not lively enough for such pricey cart, and the 22dB gain seemed to be too low for an MC cart with 0.24mV output. Good news was the hum and residual noise in the background was the lowest. But imaging and soundstage seemed to have rooms to improve.

For this preliminary review, the built-in SUT in EAR 88PB switched at 4 ohms was adopted. It offered the best possible imaging and soundstage with reasonable high/low extensions. It is believed 4-10 ohms transformer loading with gain more than 26dB is more feasible in my system when using SUTs. For your reference, ZYX recommends resistor loading larger than 100 ohms and ZYX's phono stage is usually set at 125 ohms. Bear in mind it’s not a conclusion nor should it be binding for everyone, in any systems. Even in the same system, as time goes by, all settings may change accordingly.

Listening sessions:
For quick review, I always begin with classical. IME, if an MC cart can sound “right” with classical, it can’t be too “wrong” with other music genres but not necessary vice versa. I will post some photos of the records I used later.

Spinning Wilhelm Kempff’s Franz Schubert Sonata A minor, D.845, Omega-S could unfold a full-sized grand piano between the speakers with lush harmonics and timbre complexities, though with a very slight tendency towards the warm side and a bit emphasis upon lowest octaves. This tendency, however, was proved to be a partial result of using EAR 88PB as the character could be diluted by rolling with some Siemens made PCC88s in V3/V4 (still experimenting other tweaks, I will report the results later). In general, I was really impressed by the real-life energy, transient attacks and complexities of the piano which could not easily be experienced with other carts. In comparisons, other carts sounded like a miniature 2-D image. To illustrate more, it was just like watching a 150-inch full screen (Omega-S) and a 50-inch flat panel TV (other entry level carts) between the speakers.

For vocals, Omega-S seemed to be able to smooth out some bad digital recordings by removing the excessive sibilations. It could be regarded as slight coloration of the cart. Personally speaking, however, I wouldn’t mind this type of “smoothness” as long as it’s not overdosed. Not all recordings are “perfect” in any system. If it could make the sonic presentations more enjoyable without an overwhelming character, it should be regarded as a suitable amount of dosage. Whether it’s a good or bad thing, it’s up to you and could be very system dependent.

Playing “Almost like being in Jazz” by Hugh Masekela, the bass for the first song, "You’ll never know", recorded on Side A is a bit exaggerated. It seemed Bernie Grundman had tried to adjust the tone control later on and made the rest of the recording as close to live performance as possible. Omega-S still presented the exaggerated bass for the first song in an acceptable way without losing any control. The dynamics of the flugelhorn blew the stylus to a slight tension state…Omega-S may need more break-ins or I have to fine tune the alignment, VTF, VTA, etc, later.

Conclusion:
These are my preliminary impression based upon the first 50 hours playing. No conclusion yet as the review continues…
128x128danwkw
Hello Dan,
The Arm used for that Picture is a FR-66s/Orsonic Headshell/silver leads. I did it the other way, first I used that Omega (X, low output version) with a Phantom II to compare it with other cartridges I have. I can repeat all adjustments pretty fast and accurate that way.
Even with low output is starts pretty loud, a real sonic "Bang", my first thought was, hey, that is the Phil Spector sound, the wall of sonics.
What confuses me, I read some comments about being close to the UNIverse or better...all I can say at the moment, these 2 cartridges are different like day and night...stay tuned
Agreed. Omega's nominal output at 0.24mV (3.54cm/sec) seems to be understated. To me, it is more like a typical 0.4mV to 0.5mV output MC cart. Right out of the box, mine was already "full of energy, lively", a typical Phil Spector's approach...hmmm, I'd better leave it for you.

So please let us know your invaluable opinions on Omega-X comparing to other top-notch carts you have heard in your system.

VBR
Dan
Hello Dan, thank you for confirmation about the output. Indeed, I looked twice around the Box :-).
Yes I have some cartridges ready for comparison , with comparable technical datas and also the new Lyra Delos, which is the cheapest from all.
I will need some time.
@Dan and Syntax: Funny you noted the same thing I did with the ZYX. I asked the importer regarding the output level and we know there are two methods of measurment that will give slightly different values. He really didn't answer my question.

That said, I'm playing the Omega in my system at roughly the same "level" on the preamp as my two other higher output cartridges (Titan = 0.5 mV and Air Tight = 0.6 mV).

Now ages ago when I reviewed the Benz Ruby (0.35 mV) for TAS, I noted the same discrepancy between output and where the level on the preamp was set for listening.

I guess in part the answer is that the cartridge has very wide dynamic range and in some cases end up increasing the volume level on the preamp to make up for the lost dynamics.

Myles
@Myles, Dan and Syntax, I guess that the output vs volume level position is more likely a matter of technical specs slightly different from the ones given by importer/manufacturer....... - in other words- the cartridge(s) (many ...) does actually have a higher output then stated.
Cheers,
D.