Just Bought another ZYX

Posted by JRags (A) on May 22, 2012 at 14:32:50

I currently own a Monster Cable Sigma Genesis 2000 which I find to be nirvana. However, the cartridge is long in the tooth and is a Soundsmith retip (I kept the diamond sleeved boron cantilever). As you may know, the Sigma was designed by the cartridge master - Hisayoshi Nakatsuka, who went on to found ZYX.

Now I must admit I am a cheap Bas**. The Sigma was purchased from a kind Asylum member who had a mishap with the stylus - hence Soundsmith to the rescue. I bought the cart for $25 and the retip was very reasonable. Hence, a $1200 cart had new life!

I was not sure at first whether my system could do justice to the Sigma but boy my hand-built Lenco and Alphason tonearm were up to the task!

It is my understanding that the first cartridges from ZYX were the RS10,20 and 30 carts. Now the RS-30-02 has the same specs as my Sigma and the later RS 100 series. Since these three carts were the high-end entry by ZYX I am thinking that they initially were under priced to penetrate the high-end cart market. Once the rep became acclaimed then the model changes and prices went up. After all, the high-end cart market has high disposal income, right? (I know that now days there are silver incarnations, resonance traps, and the unrivaled Universe but that's a different breed and level entirely.)

So fast-forward to this afternoon. My cart arrives special delivery and I frantically start ripping open the box. Inside is a "factory wrapped" RS30-02 low voltage cart. What I see is a bubble wrapped box with a clear tape covered and sealed letter attached. I carefully cut the bubble-warp and tape away and find a ZYX letter, in an envelope, and the cart box surrounded by a silk, decorative, brown little sack with drawstring. Inside it is the cart container, factory-taped sealed box, and cart with factory ribbon ensuring it is new. Wow, Wow, Wow. I paid $500 for a new, new ZYX.

Now I know it does not compare to an Airy, 4D, or other ZYX such cart. But I cannot even begin to make a down payment on these. What I can afford is probably the top ZYX of its time. (Some may argue that the RS100 was the top at this time but the ZYX letter that I have in my possession does not indicate that. I suspect, but cannot prove, the RS100 came later with the price increases and model changes.)

So it was a good day. Way better than I hoped for. I will not share with you the seller - this is not an ad for him/her. Just an overabundance of happiness breaking through....

JRags
"Always Searching for Perfection"

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Topic - Just Bought another ZYX - JRags 14:32:50 05/22/12 (5)

RE: Just Bought another ZYX - plugmein 03:04:47 05/23/12 (0)

Review!!! - valvesonly 16:44:30 05/22/12 (1)

Xenon - JRags 17:06:53 05/22/12 (0)

I have an old monster sigma genesis 2000 - gonzo 15:54:51 05/22/12 (0)

RE: Just Bought another ZYX - amioutaline? 14:39:47 05/22/12 (0)

Just Bought another ZYX

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