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The great low price got to me so I ordered an Audio Technica AT33 EV to have as a replacement for my Kontra b once its stylus is d-e-a-d.
As much as I like Ortofons, I just could not bring myself to spend $1800 less the $350 trade-in value to get what is the replacement for the Kontra b: the Cadenza Blue. That is almost three and half times what I paid for what I understand is a very good MC.
Seems there is some mileage left in the Ortofon so I might start out by giving the AT a try on my JVC QL7-A for a while. Wonder if the JVC arm is up to AT33 EV though?
Follow Ups:
I'd put it on the primary table and start using it right away. You don't want to do any damage to your records using a potentially worn stylus. Besides, it will give you a good comparison and point of reference before the Ort goes.
No one's quest has ended....there is always that devil on an audiophile's shoulder that whispers "UPGRADE" Its a sickness!!
I've had my Kontrapunkt A cantilever replaced with the "level two" ruby one with their stylus (had stylus replaced twice- yes, I used it THAT MUCH). The sound was markedly improved over the stock canti/stylus! You could do just as well or better I'm sure getting the K-B done by SoundSmith. Peter DOES know his stuff...
"If the audio industry built gear that sounded as good as it did 50 years ago, there would NEVER be a need to re-issued anything!"
I have an Ort bronze on a JVC QLY5F. Nice, tracks well, fun listening, no complaints.
I have a Ort Kontra B (soundsmith retip) on a SOTA Cosmos and it is a much more involving listening experience compared to the JVC. The mc just digs out more information with more bloom to the instruments.
Honestly I could live with either and if I did not have the Cosmos next to the JVC to remind me why I spent long green for the high priced spread I would not feel I was missing a thing.
As long as YOUR happy eveything is cool.
You'd have essentially the same cartridge again. Would have cost less that the AT cart.
"Hope is a good thing. Maybe, the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."
That was one of the possibilities I had envisaged and I may yet do it, but I still have nagging doubts as to whether retipped carts are brought back to original or to something different. When I realized that the Kontra had a Fritz Geiger stylus I sent an inquiry to Garrott Brothers, since I read they offered that type of stylus, and they suggested that I go for the Ortofon offer. The delays in getting the work done also were a factor. So either the AT becomes the cart on my main turntable or else it will be an upgrade on my second turntable.
One thing is certain, being retired, I don’t think that a new Ortofon Cadenza is going to be a possibility in the future so, once I am sure the Kontra’s stylus is done, I will likely get it retipped and I think that there is unanimity as to the quality of the work done by Soundsmith.
Cheers!
Fritz Geiger styli really aren't all that special in the great scheme of things.
I don't know Fred, they have all these facets!
I suppose I'm biased, since I own a JVC QL-A7. Aside from its lack of audiophile 'cachet' it's an excellent turntable. I wouldn't hesitate to try any cartridge (assuming a good match) on it, with the expectation of great results.
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