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Just did an experiment......flame suit on

I've been listening to the 103R exclusively for about 6 weeks - and loving it, with no pangs for anything else. Today, as a reality check, I reinserted my old VdH retipped Crown Jewel cartridge and did about 4-5 hrs listening.
Now I have to admit that it was a bit of a jolt to hear a very significant increase in transparency, detail and lowered colouration. In these areas the CJ is simply in another league to the 103R. I remember a similar jolt when I first replaced my Benz Glider with the CJ. There is more sparkle, air and purity to cymbals etc, more focus to individual images and less fog as you hear through to the back of the stage. Transient details are more explicit and all sorts of details stand out with greater ease. There is a compelling realism to sounds. What's more, there is considerable beauty and coherence to the CJ's sound.

So why the heck am I listening to the 103R?
It does well enough at detail and staging but doesn't approach the CJ. It certainly has a more robust sound with a more dynamic and weighty bass. I love the way it reproduces records. Its tonal quality (in hindsight, not all that pure) and its infectious grip on rhythm that made me want to ransack my record collection. It makes all types and qualities of records rewarding to listen to.

But here's the thing.....having heard the CJ again, its pull is undeniable. Damn this hobby.
Though I stand by my endorsement of the SDS drive as a priority over cartridge spending.....I can certainly see your point of view Vik:)


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  • Just did an experiment......flame suit on - Paul Tobin 06:21:41 12/17/05 (0)


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