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Goldfinger Statement, Lyra Atlas or Ortofon Anna?

Hello, I'd like to get a new high-resolution MC cartridge for my Versa Dynamics 2.3 turntable.

My favorites in alphabetical order are:

Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement
Lyra Atlas
Ortofon MC Anna

My former cartridges were Clearaudio Insider Reference Wood, Dynavector DRT XV-1s and Ortofon MC A90.

The sound of my system is nearly well balanced, perhaps it is a little bit on the cooler side. Cartridges with too "hot" high frequencies will also not harmonize.

I am looking for: Beautiful Tone colors / timbres, very good sound on strings and nice soundtage with "body" and good depth. Dynamics are not so important to me, my systems sound is already very dynamic.

Perhabs nobody has ever compared all three of the mentioned cartridges, or maybe not even two of the three. But perhaps you have heard one of them or have some impressions and thoughts.

I probably listen to 1/3 jazz, 1/3 classical and 1/3 chorus/vocal.
My phonostage is Audio Research Ref Phono 2, speakers are Genesis II.

What do you thing?
Which not to choose?
Which one to choose?

I look forward to any other suggestions.
Thanks in advance for all of you help and inputs.
Alex
al2
emil_f
33 posts
 
Al2,

I did compare the two carts from your quotation. I'm not sure when this post will show up. Can you give me an email?
al2 OP
17 posts
 
Hi Emil_f I asked audiogon to help, because I can not find the "send email" button to contact you. When I have the answer you will hear from me. Thanks.
al2 OP
17 posts
 
Hi Glai thanks for your input. Did you also try the Atlas on the "Low Gain" setting of your ARC Ref 2 ? I suppose Atlas output is to low for the "Low Gain" setting.

I prefer the sound of the ARC Ref 2 on the "Low Gain" setting. In my system it sounds smoother and slightly fuller.

"High Gain" sounded more detailed to my ears.

I heard the reason is that in "Low Gain" setting the Ref 2 is a pure tube phonostage with no FETs in the signal path.

With my 0,7 mV Clearaudio I can use both settings.
glai's avatar
glai
446 posts
 
The low gain was a hair quieter background for me. I usually run high gain as low gain puts the preamp close to unity gain for the quieter recordings.

The GF statement may be great as well, just I have not listened to one.

The earlier versions are quite heavy so check compatibility with your arm.
al2 OP
17 posts
 
Hi Audiogon Community,
hi Emil_f,
some minutes ago audiogon mailed me this: "We currently do not have an email feature on our site."

So I established a temporarily mail-address. I appreciate if someone wants to contact me with further - perhaps more private - opinions/ informations:

[email protected]

Thanks Alex
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