Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Ortofon Kontrapunkt b Phono Cartridge by loony

Model:	Kontrapunkt b
Category:	Phono Cartridge
Suggested Retail Price:	UKP 750.00
Description:	Moving Cartridge
Manufacturer URL:	Ortofon
Manufacturer URL:	Ortofon

Review by loony ( M ) on February 08, 2003 at 17:25:13
IP Address: 216.234.114.59

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for the Kontrapunkt b

1st, See my original review.
Not to cast doubts but----
I own a lot of equipment, and the last little bits of knowledge can only come with experience.
I now have in excess of 50 hours on it.
1) loading, best yet is 102 ohms. Sorry but when I sorted my (close tollerance resistors it was the best match I could get. Could be my ohm meter is off by a couple but I was more interested in getting a matched pair.
2) The mid bass is coming in just fine.
3) Buy this cartridge. Detail, depth, air as indicated before are there.
It measures almost dead flat.
4) It is very good, to excellent in all aspects so far.
5) This will not be my final review, as I haven't had it long enough, it just seems to get a little better every day which means it's still breaking in, but at this point there is no question this cartridge is excellent. Just excellent.
6) If you don't own a BIC 940 or other cheesy low capability automatic turntable, get one. It's invaluable for breaking in a cartridge!
Stay tuned but if your not clear, so far 100 ohms is best load, and I do recommend this cartridge at the sub 2K range. Find one, buy one, be paitent and enjoy. Gotta go the Sota beckons.

Product Weakness: None so far this is an interim review.
Product Strengths: Not the last word in bass power, extension is all there. Not lean by any means, and soooooo tight.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	see my first review.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	see my first review.
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	see my first review.
Speakers:	see my first review.
Cables/Interconnects:	see my first review.
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	see my first review.
Room Size (LxWxH):	36 x 27 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	see my first review.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	50 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	see my first review.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	see my first review.

Product Weakness:	None so far this is an interim review.
Product Strengths:	Not the last word in bass power, extension is all there. Not lean by any means, and soooooo tight.