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Thread: ZXY Bloom R50 MC Review

  1. #1
    Bigman80 Guest

    Default ZXY Bloom R50 MC Review

    I have put a lot of thought into this. It might be a load of codswallop but its an honest account of what ive experienced since i fitted the ZYX.

    Fitting was a doddle. Set-up was easy too. So far so good.



    Dropping the needle

    Every time i've put a new (to me) cartridge on a turntable, i have sat back and analyzed the first few notes. "Whats the bass like? The treble, Sound-stage" etc.

    This time was different. I was stunned. The first notes blew me away. The first few bars of Voodoo Child on Electric ladyland pulled me into the moment. Atmospheric and punchy, and more importantly, i felt like i was there. I was imagining the room he was recording in and could almost see it ! The buzz from the Marshall he was undoubtedly playing through, to the people clapping as he starts playing felt so near to me.

    I'm not saying i have a setup capable of fooling you into believing the musician is in the room.

    It was a different feeling. An emotive charge that made me shout "Yeah !!!" This produced a funny look from my wife BTW

    I was feeling the notes, i was feeling the music and i don't know if you guys get that but i pick up the emotion in a note. Especially when its the blues. Good guitarists purvey feelings through the notes they play. Doubt that ? Play "guess who" by BB King! As Jimi then ventured off into the song i suddenly remembered "there is a new cartridge on the TT!"

    That's when i knew how good this cartridge is. I'd forgotten it was there.

    That, for me is how it should be. It shouldn't draw attention to itself. Ask any DL103 owner why they love that cart and they all say the same. "it just has a boogie factor" or "it pulls you in" and that's not far off what is going on here. It just has that special something that makes you want to play every single record in your collection and then dance on your own in the front room !!

    SO! what does it do well:

    Well everything really. It's bass reproduction is held in an vice like grip. Punchy and solid. It'll go low. REALLY low. Its clear too. There are definite "plectrum hitting the string" noises on bass lines, which i haven't heard on many recordings played on vinyl.

    Midrange is clear, precise, fluid and just sounds like there is so much space between instruments. I can hear where every musician is sitting on Eric Clapton Unplugged.

    Treble is Fantastic. Its never harsh. Instead, its natural. There is a "splash" symbol on Lynrd Skynyrd – "Gimmie three steps" which literally sounded like it came out of my speakers like a rippling wave.

    I just keep sitting here shouting "did you hear THAT !!!" at my wife and i think she is sick of me haha.

    SO! whats bad:
    Well, the stylus guard sucks ass. Its not easy to get the hang of and it terrifies me that i will knock the cantilever.

    And that's it. Seriously, this thing has blown me away. I am completely happy with it and will buy another from the ZYX range when i have worn this one out.


    If you a thinking of picking one of these up then you should because its fantastic.
    Last edited by Bigman80; 22-12-2016 at 13:25.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    Nice one Oliver.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  3. #3
    Bigman80 Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    Nice one Oliver.
    Thanks Geoff. I'm not great at this kind of thing so I hope it reads well !!

  4. #4
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

    Posts: 51,624
    I'm Geoff.

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    It still amazes me how ZYX MC's just get out of the way and let the music through. To such an extent that you stop being aware of 'hearing a cartridge' and just enjoy the music. It's like a pair of curtains that were in front of the speakers having been opened.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  5. #5
    Bigman80 Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    It still amazes me how ZYX MC's just get out of the way and let the music through. To such an extent that you stop being aware of 'hearing a cartridge' and just enjoy the music. It's like a pair of curtains that were in front of the speakers having been opened.
    That's spot on.

    Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date: Jan 2016

    Location: Shenfield

    Posts: 573
    I'm Slav.

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    Hi Oliver
    Did you experiment with loading, I started with 100ohm increased lately to ~235ohm it opens the sound a lot (I'm going to make some loading plugs over Xmas and fine tune it).
    What VTF you run it at?
    Great write up
    Slav

  7. #7
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bigman80 View Post
    An emotive charge that made me shout "Yeah !!!" This produced a funny look from my wife BTW
    Superb, I like getting funny looks from the wife, it shows she's paying attention.

    Really pleased mate, that Geoff has a lot to answer for

  8. #8
    Join Date: Jan 2013

    Location: Birmingham

    Posts: 6,772
    I'm James.

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    You sold it to me! Another on my list for future consideration.
    Main system : VPI Scout 1.1 / JMW 9T / 2M Black / Croft 25R+ / Croft 7 / Heco Celan GT 702

    Second System : Goldring Lenco GL75 / AT95EX / Pioneer SX590 / Spendor SP2

  9. #9
    Bigman80 Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mac72 View Post
    Hi Oliver
    Did you experiment with loading, I started with 100ohm increased lately to ~235ohm it opens the sound a lot (I'm going to make some loading plugs over Xmas and fine tune it).
    What VTF you run it at?
    Great write up
    Slav
    Hi Slav,

    Loadings wise I have four options, unfortunately I have no idea what they mean lol, Firebottle may be able to explain why my amp makes no sense in terms of switchable loadings.

    I tried four setting and found what I belive to be a sweet spot but I couldn't tell you what it is.

    VTA is slightly raised at the tail end. I've found the ZYX sounded best like that. Again, all done by ear as I have no tools to measure.

    It's a very very good experience using g this cartridge.

    Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

  10. #10
    Bigman80 Guest

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Firebottle View Post
    Superb, I like getting funny looks from the wife, it shows she's paying attention.

    Really pleased mate, that Geoff has a lot to answer for
    I think I'm Geoff's best customer this month ! I'll see if he does a loyalty card hahaha

    Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

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