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Post by karma67 on Sept 20, 2020 14:03:31 GMT
This has been an interesting few days comparing the 2 cartridges,1 is a low hours stock KB,the other is a Vienna spec KB done by Holistic audio in Holland,they change the WRD damper assembly for the one used in the Vienna.
I chose the album Moontan by Golden Earring because it has lots of bass and some drum solo's with plenty of cymbals being struck,a good test to see which cartridge has the better top end. As a side note,Killian at Holistic audio did warn me that he'd had a few customers in the past say they had felt the upgrade made the KB sound bright and that once done it couldn't be reversed.
First up was the stock KB,it gave a great account of itself,nice meaty sound with plenty of drive,a good sense of realism too,as an example the flute playing stood out on some of the tracks,they had a texture to them that conjured an image in my mind of the players lips around the flute. Ooh er missus! The cymbals too had a lovely hard metallic signature to them with plenty of decaying shimmer.
Next the Vienna KB went in,more of the same except the top end has gone up a level,i can understand Killian's comment about it sounding bright to some now
Thankfully it doesn't in my system,if im honest its sits just below being bright,just.I spent most of yesterday listening to it and not once did i feel fatigued by it,nothing i listened too felt too much or over the top.
This morning i put the stock one back in and after hearing the Vienna spec KB it now sounded a little soft,everything was still there it just sounded a tad polite in comparison.Both are great cartridges with the same attributes,its personal taste that will decide in the end which one is best.Also i'm lucky to be able to A/B them,without that luxury the differences are not hugely obvious as in my case i put them down to having the stylus re tipped. My verdict is i prefer the vienna spec one,so much so i've removed the ebay listing for it! lol.
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Sept 20, 2020 14:35:57 GMT
That's very interesting Jamie, and annoying at the same time, as I very nearly bought your cartridge lol....
To be honest, it was just curiosity Vs the HA103-SEL.
However, hopefully this has cured your wonderment regarding the two?
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Post by stevew on Sept 20, 2020 15:54:41 GMT
Many thanks for doing this Jamie
I’d jumped in feet first with mine at the same time as the deck and arm.
So I’d often wondered if I rushed in.. never having really done a comparison with the cooking Kb.
That’s paranoia for you!
I’d also say that any brightness I perceived in the presentation has been totally cured by plumbing in a BB3.
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Post by karma67 on Sept 20, 2020 16:00:19 GMT
That's very interesting Jamie, and annoying at the same time, as I very nearly bought your cartridge lol.... To be honest, it was just curiosity Vs the HA103-SEL. However, hopefully this has cured your wonderment regarding the two? ha ha ,yes no doubt in my mind now. |
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Post by karma67 on Sept 20, 2020 16:04:11 GMT
Many thanks for doing this Jamie I’d jumped in feet first with mine at the same time as the deck and arm. So I’d often wondered if I rushed in.. never having really done a comparison with the cooking Kb. That’s paranoia for you! I’d also say that any brightness I perceived in the presentation has been totally cured by plumbing in a BB3. i kinda did too,i used it briefly before sending it off,i was told the tip was worn but it still sounded good,of course being new to me by the time it came back i'd lost any recognition of how it originally sounded. |
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Post by jimbo on Sept 20, 2020 16:41:48 GMT
Always wondered what the difference was between the two. I had a Kb and would probably have prefered the Vienna reading your review.
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Post by karma67 on Oct 19, 2020 12:21:28 GMT
Another little parcel is off to Holland
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 19, 2020 12:58:53 GMT
Another little parcel is off to Holland What are you having done? |
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Post by karma67 on Oct 19, 2020 15:55:19 GMT
Another little parcel is off to Holland What are you having done? well when it arrived it had a slight off set cantilever,i think it had be used previously with not enough anti-skate so that's the main reason,it could of course have the vienna mod but sensibly i should wear the tip out first so more than likely just the cantilever done. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 19, 2020 16:11:09 GMT
What are you having done? well when it arrived it had a slight off set cantilever,i think it had be used previously with not enough anti-skate so that's the main reason,it could of course have the vienna mod but sensibly i should wear the tip out first so more than likely just the cantilever done. Kilian can't get the WRD anymore apparently, hence the question. Has he said anything to you ? |
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Post by karma67 on Oct 19, 2020 16:19:57 GMT
well when it arrived it had a slight off set cantilever,i think it had be used previously with not enough anti-skate so that's the main reason,it could of course have the vienna mod but sensibly i should wear the tip out first so more than likely just the cantilever done. Kilian can't get the WRD anymore apparently, hence the question. Has he said anything to you ? no but then ive not asked,i'll see what he reports back first. |
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Oct 19, 2020 16:43:00 GMT
Kilian can't get the WRD anymore apparently, hence the question. Has he said anything to you ? no but then ive not asked,i'll see what he reports back first. Ok, let me know as he was asked a question about repairing a Cadenza Black but he said he can't get the cantilever either. Seems like another useful avenue is being closed down |
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