Initial impression of moving from LP12 with Kore, Ittok (ceramic bearings and silver wiring) and Krystal to Keel and Ekos SE:
My system: Avid Pulses phono, Musical Fidelity M6SPRE & M6SPRX and Tannoy xt8f.
Dedicated house for music ? A new home is beginning to be constructed ?
Rega Aura (part funded by Uniti Star part ex) to partner my new Rega Aethos, saving for a ND5XS2 and that’s me done…
This has just arrived and has been fitted by yours truly. All I can say is that I’m absolutely amazed at how much better it is than the Exact. Just terrific. And that’s brand new and freezing cold, with just a Fono MC and a brand new Naim RCA to Din lead. Hopefully the Aria will arrive next week.
An interesting choice if I may so so. Might you have been better swapping the 8 for a 10 and getting an Aria rather than an Aura? I wonder whether you did the comparison.
Already had the Aria (also part exchanged with the Star), the is Aura a decent step up (should be a x5 the price), didn’t take long to convince me.
Happy with the P8 for now, saving the TT upgrade for the new P? that I was told was is in development (to sit above the P10 in the range).
Looks like we both bucking the norm, me with P8/Aura and you with P10/Fono MC, you will enjoy the Aria.
Thats new as my wall bracket instructions didnt (about a year old)
That was good to hear, thanks! As you probably know, there was a widespread Palme hatred in some political circles when Palme was alive, which unfortunately still lives on today to a certain extent.
Best regards Björn
Wonder if a P12 is twice as good as a P6?
Bet it’s six? times the price though.
Well thanks for the guidance
in the end with a discount code of summer10 on the audio technica site - it’s bloody cold now for summer I bought AT540ML. Rather good so far. £225 with ready fitted headshell
I’ve no idea if cartridges ‘run in’ but time will tell.
cheers
It’s a pleasure and glad it’s all worked out.
Very rare to see Sumiko carts on the forum. The Amethyst is supposed to be a very high quality MM indeed.
I have the [much] more modest Sumiko Rainier. I think it has the same body as the Amethyst.
Well given you’ve had as many hifi’s as I’ve had hot dinners ,used AT microline cartridges and don’t ‘pronounce’ I felt you were a good person to ask!
Next maybe a Trichord dino…
Hello friend.
I also entered the Sumiko world with Rainier.
Very good choice for the money.
You can switch from Rainier to Olympia or even Moonstone.
On the contrary the Amethyst has a different body than the others.
Just a quick review,my first impressions of the first 20 hours using the Amethyst:
The only “bad” thing is that the cartridge is sneaky…
Let me explain: it is so satisfying and easy to listen you can crank the volume at very high levels without understanding it.
It’s like driving a fast car without watching the meter & suddenly realize that you ran with 250km/h!!!
Unless you phone them tomorrow and change it to an Aura. Bet you’re thinking about it 
An aria with Apheta is better balanced. Specially with an SN3. IMO.
The Aria and P10 PS fit side by side, an Aura would upset HH’s quest for simplicity. It also seems a bit crazy for an SN3
