Kiseki Blue or Ortofon SPU Royal N

[WOStantonCS100]

I recently acquired the second of two Tascam DV-RA1000HDs. I am completely happy with needledrops at 24/192 for digital portability and have decided I've gone as far as I care to go with digital. I am completely out of the market for anything CD and will be selling off the 300 or so pressed CDs that remain provided there is an analog alternative. I have no interest in downloads and was never interested in anything at resolutions lower than CD. I digress.

So, now, after far too long and the fulfilling of other obligations, it's time to finally get back around to planning for my analog future. It literally takes me years to finalize decisions. I do way more research than, most likely, any sane person would or should. (It took a little more than that to decide on the Mike New bearing, the Trans-Fi arm, etc; but, what great decisions those turned out to be.) Nevertheless, before the year is out, along with the current projects on the bench, I want to have one of these carts in situ. My T3 arm will handle either of these with aplomb. I've also decided to go with a Bob's Devices appropriately spec'd Cinemag SUT. Anyone have one of these carts? Care to share your impressions?

[paskinn]

Baffling. You say you have done a lot of research and these two cartridges are the result. But why? Kiseki is a Dutch outfit, offering a pretty obvious 'Koetsu' clone. Ortofon are offering a classic traditional cartridge. What have the two designs got in common? How do you know they offer the 'best' sound for you?
What this question does do, is sharply throw into relief the near impossibility of choosing cartridges which aren't easily heard. You can't borrow them, you probably won't get a demo (just possible with the Kiseki?) and unless in your own system, so what anyway?
The truth is that cartridges are highly personal, there is no way someone else can tell you what to buy. And I still can't work out how you arrived at just two possibilities out of, say, several hundred, options.

In the end you are probably going to have to make a guess. My only suggestion would be to see if some kind fellow hobbyist will lend you a cartridge, then choose only from what you have heard. Otherwise, lucky dip!

[Spectral Morn]

http://www.stereophile.com/content/k...hono-cartridge

[Wakefield Turntables]

If the Kiseki sounds like Koetsu (I own a goldline black koestu) and I own a Ortofon SPU silver meister. OK, they are not the models you specified but if you want my advice for what its worth I'd go fo the Ortofon.

[WOStantonCS100]

I knew this was the right place to ask!

http://www.stereophile.com/content/k...hono-cartridge

Thanks, Neil. I had actually read that; but, thanks for bringing that back to my attention. I reread it, as a refresher.

If the Kiseki sounds like Koetsu (I own a goldline black koestu) and I own a Ortofon SPU silver meister. OK, they are not the models you specified but if you want my advice for what its worth I'd go fo the Ortofon.

Ahhh, yes. Where does the SPU have it over the Koetsu, in your opinion?

[anubisgrau]

what shelled SPU is the royal N based upon?

[WOStantonCS100]

what shelled SPU is the royal N based upon?

SPU Royal GM MkII