Miyajima cartridges ... another one joins the stable

[montesquieu]

Miyajima Kansui arrived today, taking its place alongside my others.

Should be fun ... not really an upgrade over the Shilabe (as they are so close in price) more of a different emphasis. In theory anyway. Will report back on how it goes.

http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/Miyajima_zpsqhd3n2eb.jpg

[petrat]

Don't believe you :ner: ... you just collect boxes ... actually, a much cheaper and more sensible hobby.

[montesquieu]

Don't believe you :ner: ... you just collect boxes ... actually, a much cheaper and more sensible hobby.

;)



http://i1181.photobucket.com/albums/x440/montesquieu61/Miyajimas2_zpswwu8vuv5.jpg

[petrat]

Ah, the 'missile silo' ... all primed and ready for action at a moment's notice.

[The Black Adder]

lol... Tom you buy carts like sweets... love it. :)

[Ammonite Audio]

Having heard Tom's other Miyajima cartridges, I will almost certainly end up with one at some point. Lovely things, with a really simple and clever design that does away with the tie-wire compromise that everyone else (bar Rega) still uses.

[Barry]

What B&O cartridge is that Tom?

[AlfaGTV]

Tom, have you had the chance to evaluate the Kansui?
I have one in my sight, but i have only heard (thouroughly) the Shilabe..
Regards /Mike

[montesquieu]

What B&O cartridge is that Tom?

It's an SP1.

Next to the IQ3, this is my all time favourite MM stereo cartridge. It has all the vim and verve (and detail) of an early SPU, but is perhaps a shade more tolerant of dodgy vinyl. Probably unfair for me to use it on as-year-uncleaned stuff or less than pristine pressings that I don't want to use the Miyajima for. I have a Denon DL109D with Shibata tip that I alternate this with - that one sound sleek and smooth, like a 103 without the treble lift. I totally rate the SP1, I have picked up a second one and am attempting to get hold of NOS styli where I come across them. It's actually pretty good on mono pressings as well.


Tom, have you had the chance to evaluate the Kansui?
I have one in my sight, but i have only heard (thouroughly) the Shilabe..
Regards /Mike


Going to post full impressions after a much longer play with more points of comparison and with my full rig up and running properly ... but impressions so far:

1) Very much from the same stable - if someone came in and swapped it out you might not notice for a while if at all. Very similar in all sorts of ways.
2) Having said that there are differences. I would say the Shilabe is dryer but possibly more detailed. The Kansui is jucier and maybe more 3D, a tad 'thicker'.
3) Shilabe closer to my old Io2's presentation, Kansui closer to my even older Koetsu Rosewood, though with a clarity the Koetsu would struggle to get to.
4) Don't put too much weight on the above statements, the differences are slight and made just to attempt to characterise what I'm hearing. They sound far more like each other than like an Io or a Koetsu.
5) Observations are limited also by the fact that my TD124 is off at Loricraft getting some work done to the stepper pulley bearings, which means my FR64S is out of action - I'm using a modded Lenco with AO-fettled AS212, which though not half bad isn't quite in the same league. So judgment reserved. Also I'm using different headshells and they run at different weights so neither are probably running at optimum tweak settings.
6) On present form I may keep both as I suspect they will suit different genres - more experimentation to come.

[User211]

Tom you really need a TT capable of taking 4 tonearms to do these all fair justice...

[montesquieu]

Tom you really need a TT capable of taking 4 tonearms to do these all fair justice...

Currently talking to Russ about a 2-arm plinth - I think any more would look weird on a TD124. Second arm up for debate ... contemplating J7's new unipivot.

[Barry]

It's an SP1.

Next to the IQ3, this is my all time favourite MM stereo cartridge. It has all the vim and verve (and detail) of an early SPU, but is perhaps a shade more tolerant of dodgy vinyl. Probably unfair for me to use it on as-year-uncleaned stuff or less than pristine pressings that I don't want to use the Miyajima for. I have a Denon DL109D with Shibata tip that I alternate this with - that one sound sleek and smooth, like a 103 without the treble lift. I totally rate the SP1, I have picked up a second one and am attempting to get hold of NOS styli where I come across them. It's actually pretty good on mono pressings as well.

I have an SP6 which for a near 50 year old cartridge, I rate rather well, despite having a rather untidy and ragged top end. In fact I'm a big fan of B&O cartridges, especially the MMC 20 series.

[User211]

Years back I had a B&O deck with a B&O cart with a substantial solid diamond cantilever. Pretty damned good cart and what's more it didn't cost much. The deck, though, I maintain was shite. Had a platter that literally ringed like a bell.

[Barry]

Years back I had a B&O deck with a B&O cart with a substantial solid diamond cantilever. Pretty damned good cart and what's more it didn't cost much. The deck, though, I maintain was shite. Had a platter that literally ringed like a bell.

Mine cost me £5 from eBay.

[User211]

Mine was brand spanking new so cost more LOL.

[Floyddroid]

I would like to give one of these a try but they are a tad expensive.:scratch: