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Anyone tried Soundsmith VPI Zephyr MI Cartridge

Has anyone tried or heard the Soundsmith VPI Zephyr MI Cartridge yet? I was just wondering how promising it really is. I am truly happy with my Dynavector D17 Karat Mk II and don't really think a cartridge that is the same price will bring me anything astonishing. I am curious since it is made with the VPI JMW arm in mind, I am using the Classic.
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macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
VPI Classic/Grado Statement The Reference 1 (keeping)
krell1's avatar
krell1 OP
250 posts
 
Macdadtexas, I have the Classic also and have a Dynavector XX but was contimplating the Grado Reference 1. Why are you keeping the Grado and the Zephyr? I would be very interested in your opinion of the Grado Reference 1? Since I wasn't sure the Grado would be for me, I was thinking of the Sonata 1 so I wouldn't loose to much. Thanks for any help.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
the Zephyr is fully broken in now,and it's the proverbial giant killer. For a $1000 it's best cartridge I have used on this table. Bests the Grado Statement Ref 1, the Lyra Helikon, not quite the XVS-1, but not too far away.

Great cartridge, won't be buying a new one anytime soon.
bsme85
151 posts
 
I share Macdadtexas' enthusiasm for this cartridge--it's an outstanding value. I also own a VPI Classic.
rensci
4 posts
 
Thanks Macdadtexas and Bsme85... based on what Soundsmith and VPI had to say about the Zephyr, I assumed it and the Classic would work nicely together. Any more details about your experience? What type of music do you listen to? Low level detail? Overall tonal balance? Tracking ability? Apparent surface noise on less-than-perfect records? What do you like best (or least)? Etc?

If my bank account makes it through the holidays basically intact, I'll be cartridge shopping for my Classic next month.
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