That’s what I use, too. On Linn Ekos SE. I find it terrific on acoustic instruments and voice
An update on the Ortofon MC X20 cartridge. I have now been playing it regularly for a week and a half, and it sounds like the break-in period was very short indeed. In brief: it only got better, and it seems to be a great match for both the Ittok and the Prefix S.
Having had several Ortofon in the past this cartridge sounds to me as a good MC version of the older 520 MkII (aka Vinyl Master Red) MM cartridge that I also liked. Which was too light for an Ittok but great with Rega and other arms. The MC X series are more substantial.
If anyone is interested to my ears the various versions of the MC X series sound like this:
- bonded elliptical X10 is a sweet entry level MC which I would use for older decks
- nude elliptical X20 what I have is a revelation and at €500 the sweet spot IMO
- fine line X30 is more nicely refined but less addictive transient attack
- shibata X40 has both again, and is IMO a good MC version of the 2M Black.
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My new mono option, see Superline Custom Loading of AT33mono - #10 by Yeti for comment.
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Amazing for the price. Replaced a retipped Benz Ruby 2 on my Thorens 124 II, SME 2-9 turntable-arm combination.
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You’re running a superline I think, my stainlees steel Korf doesn’t get on with mine, motorboating is easily triggered by a transient and more easily if I connect the ground, how is the ceramic one with it?
This is in the main system. So, it’s connected to a Lundhal SUT & Phasemation EA2000. I get the feeling that Clearaudio cart only matches well with their own arm and table. A bit economically challenged to try to find out at this moment.
Korf with the ceramic headshell does not misbehave but the sound is a bit aggressive. I am tuning it to play rock and roll.
The Korf removable ceramic head shell works well with a Denon 103 but it makes my Transfiguration Proteus sound a bit analytical and I wasn’t happy with my Decca maroon mono on it either, I bought Yamamoto for the latter but it’s also preferable with the Proteus.
that looks so fragile!
The remodel, that’s a serious cartridge. May I ask what turntable/arm/phono you’ll be using it with?
The recent Ortofon MC X series is a nice surprise, good to hear you like your new X40, very happy with my X20 as well.
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Technics CSL1000R
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Of course there’s a longish story here . . .it’s not like I could just slap it on.
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That’s an awesome setup @Bart. I love the Lyra sound. As you already know I have the Atlas SL and Mono. I can’t imagine changing from Lyra (although I also love Dynavector and have a XV-1s also).
I just noticed that the Etna SL is symmetrical. For some reason I thought it had the asymmetrical design of the Atlas SL/Mono. That’s why I have an orange pinstripe on the front of my headshell, so I’m not fooled by the off-center of the purple cartridge body when I cue the arm.
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