ZYX R50 or London Mecca maroon

[Ned664]

Thinking of upgrading from my Benz Micro Silver, any thoughts on these two cartridges? TT is Sony PS X70. Thanks.

[walpurgis]

Having owned both until recently. I can point out that the Decca Maroon is no longer with me and the ZYX R50 Bloom H is here to stay (and so are the R100 and R100 H2 I've since bought). The R50 is superb.

[Ali Tait]

How did you find the Maroon Geoff?

Got one, but it's down in one channel.

[walpurgis]

How did you find the Maroon Geoff?

Got one, but it's down in one channel.

Like all Deccas. Good fun and different to anything else. My favourite was my 4RC, it seemed to have even more vibrance than the Mk.IV (always wanted a C4E).

I'd not go back to a Decca now, the ZYX R100 H2 in particular has the speed and detail of a Decca, but is cleaner at the top and has an even bigger soundstage. The R50 is different and possibly even more expansive. It has an almost holographic midrange and depth to it. Wonderful at any price and amazing for the money.

[Ali Tait]

Aye, been eying those up too..

[Ali Tait]

How would you rate the ZYX's you have?

Worth paying more to go up the range?

[walpurgis]

They are very different Ali.

The R50 is a big sounding MC rather in the Koetsu and SPU manner (but not the same). It has wonderful depth and a massive soundstage. The top is smooth and pleasing.

The R100 digs deeper and pushes more detail at you (without being bright). It has great treble, solid bass and amazing transparency.

And the R100 H2 is again different. The stylus is a lighter and tiny boron tube and the sound is almost forensically detailed. The analyisis exceeds anything I've heard from a Decca. Heard through the Tannoys the image depth and sheer amount of information coming through is remarkable.

I seriously don't have a favourite. Each ZYX has its own benefits, even the R50 at about half the cost of the others is a joy to hear and probably the easiest to slot into a system and live with.

Check the online reviews. You won't find a bad one.

[Ali Tait]

I have been. Struggling to get a coherent picture of the entire range TBH. I also note silver coils are an option?

What's the difference between the 100 and the 100 H2?

[loo]

Hi Ali, without making comparison to the ZYX,have you seen the VDH frog gold for sale on the wam, if your in the market for a top flight MC
it could be worth consideration they are one hell of a cartridge
cheers
Paul

[walpurgis]

What's the difference between the 100 and the 100 H2?

The R100 has an Aluminium cantilever and the R100 H2 a much smaller and thinner Boron job.

The three ZYXs I own are the only ones I've used. There are quite a few other models. Next stop for me is possibly an R100 Yatra H (not a Fuji).

[Ali Tait]

Aye, that's another thing, what's with the Yatra and Fuji models?

[Ali Tait]

Hi Ali, without making comparison to the ZYX,have you seen the VDH frog gold for sale on the wam, if your in the market for a top flight MC
it could be worth consideration they are one hell of a cartridge
cheers
Paul

Cheers for the heads up Paul, but not looking just yet, just shelled out for a holiday, and a new car a couple of months ago, the pocketses are bare!

[loo]

Cheers for the heads up Paul, but not looking just yet, just shelled out for a holiday, and a new car a couple of months ago, the pocketses are bare!

yep I know that situation well, for a much cheaper option why not send your maroon to John Wright http://www.london-cartridges.co.uk/ his rebuild prices are real value and he will return it like new
cheers
Paul

[walpurgis]

Aye, that's another thing, what's with the Yatra and Fuji models?

http://www.zyx-audio.com/products_mc_4d_series_4d.html

http://www.sorasound.com/products/zyx/

[Ali Tait]

yep I know that situation well, for a much cheaper option why not send your maroon to John Wright http://www.london-cartridges.co.uk/ his rebuild prices are real value and he will return it like new
cheers
Paul

Cheers, yes have been in touch with John, it's on the to do list.

[Ali Tait]

http://www.zyx-audio.com/products_mc_4d_series_4d.html

http://www.sorasound.com/products/zyx/

Cheers, hadn't come across those as yet.

[Reffc]

There's a bit on the Fuji here too: http://www.referencefidelitycomponents.co.uk/product/zyx-r100-fuji/

Basically, the Fuji is the the top of the line R100 model, with refined wiring design, Boron cantilever and fine line contact stylus.

As Geoff says, ZYX cartridges are unusual in that there's not really a defined pecking order as such, because the designs are all slightly different. What they all share is a top notch generator design, very fine wiring and top drawer stylii. Of course the top end price-wose models are quite extraordinary (The Airy 3 remains my all time favourite MC hifi cartridge) but even the R50 will allow buy-in to their extraordinary musical and satisfying sound.

I also agree with Geoff that the R50 is an outstanding bargain in high end cartridge terms (it performs as well as many at four times the cost) and it has a lovely airy soundstage with a full bodies presentation and solid bass. It isn't analytical like some.

[worrasf]

I echo pretty much everything Geoff says.

I have a Decca Blue/Deccapod and a Zyx R100 H. The Blue is pretty much the same as the maroon but has a spherical rather than an eliptical stylus. That said it is the best tracking cartridge I have ever owned - tracks all 4 test bands on the HfN disc with ease. The Deccapod IMO is a must and refines the presentation significantly. Both carts need mass in/on the headshell to work properly (the Deccapod) adds this. I found the Zyx needs an additional weight unless you have the type that comes with a metal base plate. I found the 3g VPI from Analogue Seduction (http://www.analogueseduction.net/headshell-weights/vpi-stainless-steel-3g-headshell-weight.html) in a Oyaide HS TF headshell works just fine. The Schick graphite http://calamightysound.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/thomas-schick-graphite-headshell-is.html is a great partner for the Decca. IMO both these carts need to be considered with the headshell they are going to be mounted in. Of curse with the Zyx you also need to carefully consider what SUT you are going to use if your amp doesn't have a MC input. With the Decca careful attention to earth/ground is vital to minimise hum.

The Decca is supremely fast and detailed - I could happily live with it if it was the only cart I ever owned. Unlike Geoff I am not minded to move mine on.
The Zyx to my ears has many of the same qualities as the Decca but has a fuller more "musical" presentation. TBH at times I have found myself asking is the Zyx adding colouration where the Decca is just telling it like it is? Not sure really. Overall, I do prefer the sound from the Zyx on the majority of recordings I have.

Steve

[walpurgis]

Just a note for anybody considering a ZYX.

I'd suggest the 'H' version of each cartridge. The H stands for high output, but that is in relation to the lower output variants of each cartridge model. The H is still a low output MC and will probably be the best option to match to regular MC inputs, phono stages and SUTs.

The low output versions are I believe, supposed to have an edge soundwise, but I doubt there'd be much in it.

[Barry]

I echo pretty much everything Geoff says.

I have a Decca Blue/Deccapod and a Zyx R100 H. The Blue is pretty much the same as the maroon but has a spherical rather than an eliptical stylus. That said it is the best tracking cartridge I have ever owned - tracks all 4 test bands on the HfN disc with ease. The Deccapod IMO is a must and refines the presentation significantly. Both carts need mass in/on the headshell to work properly (the Deccapod) adds this. I found the Zyx needs an additional weight unless you have the type that comes with a metal base plate. I found the 3g VPI from Analogue Seduction (http://www.analogueseduction.net/headshell-weights/vpi-stainless-steel-3g-headshell-weight.html) in a Oyaide HS TF headshell works just fine. The Schick graphite http://calamightysound.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/thomas-schick-graphite-headshell-is.html is a great partner for the Decca. IMO both these carts need to be considered with the headshell they are going to be mounted in. Of curse with the Zyx you also need to carefully consider what SUT you are going to use if your amp doesn't have a MC input. With the Decca careful attention to earth/ground is vital to minimise hum.

The Decca is supremely fast and detailed - I could happily live with it if it was the only cart I ever owned. Unlike Geoff I am not minded to move mine on.
The Zyx to my ears has many of the same qualities as the Decca but has a fuller more "musical" presentation. TBH at times I have found myself asking is the Zyx adding colouration where the Decca is just telling it like it is? Not sure really. Overall, I do prefer the sound from the Zyx on the majority of recordings I have.

Steve

The Decca Maroon has a spherical tipped stylus. The Maroon was essentially the same as the Blue but was made on a separate production line to a far higher build standard. The Decca Grey (or Export) cartidges were selected Blues that had a better measured performance.

[ChrisKemp]

...and what about a Zyx R-100 H2 compared to a London Decca Super Gold w/ Decca Pod?