TW Raven 10.5" Tonearm what cart are you using?


Hi, I would like owners or individules to chime in who have heard this arm and with what cart, what combo did they prefer and why?

My table is the TW Raven Black Knight, my plans are to have only two arms set-up on this table.

Arm 1. - REED 12", is currently set-up already paired up with a My Sonic Labs Ultimate BC cart and I'm lovin it.

Arm 2. - TW 10.5 arm which is actually already mounted but haven't decided which cart as of yet to pair up with it.

I do have a few on my SHORT list, see below in no order;

- Lyra Olympos
- Ortofon MC A90
- Transfiguration Orpheus L
- Dynavector XV-1T

My set-up consist of;

- TW Black Knight table placed on a custom made Minus K
- MBL 101E speakers
- VAC Sig. MK2a pre with phono built in
- VAC Statement 450 mono blocks
- Stealth Audio cables through out
128x128dev
Hi Deronarm, my friend who has two tables.

Verdier with the REED/My Sonic combo, second table being the TW AC with a Shroeder Ref/Olympos combo I find the sound at his place actually to be more similar than different with these two set-ups so that's od with your thoughts above.

Can you elaborate a little more on the differences sonically you hear, I was all set in getting the Olympos but held off mainly because of this.

When listening to my friends set-up I always enjoy either, actually prefered the S/O combo slightly but due to the arm set-up apparently not being the easiest to deal with etc. and to get a Olympos cart not the easiest either I went for the REED/MSL combo direction and I'm very content.

I recently heard a A90 not but paired up with either associated table and/or arm but with the same speakers, amps and pre with phono as mine and really enjoyed it.

I haven't heard the XV-1t but owned the latest XV-1s cart which I just sold, I had it paired up with a Graham Phantom MK2 arm.

Hi Audioblazer, thanks for the input.

I'm really looking for something to compete with my other set-up, sonically a alternative sound but not sacrafice anything.

I suppose my biggest down side is not knowing what this arm sounds like in combination with any cart or actually at all because I have never heard one. I was going to mount my XV-1s cart but then it sold so I didn't, I had previously already made up my mind to sell it after hearing my friends set-up many times and preferred either the Olympos or MSL cart combos at his place.
Dev, Great system !!!
If the Reed and Ultimate BC rings your bell then I would think that you may want to go in a different direction with the 10.5.
The Dyna XV-1t pairs very well with it.
I believe Audioblazer is correct and the Cadenza Black is awaiting my eventual purchase of the 10.5
Hi Goldeneraguy,
thanks I'm truely enjoying it, thanks for your input.

In relation to the carts, after hearing the A90 I actually will say I preferred it over my XV-1s. Jeff mentioned that Ortofon Cadenza Black cart also to me along with the A90 and XV-1t.

Guess I need to find some others with these in them and have a listen, still this is hard because of all the other differences so in the end I might just have to buy and try my self etc.
I have heard three of the four, and put them in this order:

1 - Lyra Olympos (detailed, but musical)
2 - Dynavector XV-1T (lively and musical)
3 - Ortofon MC A90 (It's not my cup of tea, but I don't believe you can get a new one, anyway.)

I have no idea about the Transfiguration Orpheus L, but it is highly regarded.
Dev, you are right on.If you are auditioning a cartridge (or any other component for that matter)in a system that you are not familiar with it is extremely difficult(possibly impossible)to pin down which component is doing what.
You have put together a top tier system,I'm sure which ever cartridge you select will be the correct one for you.