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
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
Great write up as always James.
I like that you got a second one to send off for the upgrade, that was a smart move. There's always that danger of losing what you had and not being able to get it back.
Current Lash Up:
TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.
Hi James,
Was at church so just back
Brilliant news ! and I commend you for having the balls and vision to look to see if the Fritz Gyger S could be posssible on the 2MB
As I reported here and as you know, I contemplated what to do next when my Cadenza Blacks tip finally wore out on me.
It would have been easy to follow the 'status quo' / 'done thing' and had it retipped / refurbed by Ortofon and I was pretty close to doing that.
BUT, thankfully I received an email form my mate Angus again advising and recommending that I seek to leave it in the capable hands of Kilian Bakker of Holistic Audio.
Angus was literally blown away by what he had done with his Ortofon Vienna and the effects of the FGS re-tip on it.
The more I thought about it the more it made sense.
At the time I also looked into the Frtiz Gyger S profile and knew it was a very top notch stylus profile indeed - the fact Ortofon use that type of profile in it's Replicant on all it's high end carts above the excellent Cadenza Black, including the Windfelds, Anna and its £8K Limited Edition Anniversary Century - speaks for itself really.
Again and as I fed back previously here - Cadenza B refurb by Ortofon = just shy £1K.
Hollistic Audio - Complete overhaul of Cadenza Black innards, damping, coils etc, plus Fritz Gyger S retip upgrade = less than half the above = NO brainer in my book and I wasnt wrong.
Having set up and nailed the sweet spot, I can say categorically that I have never ever heard replay from my system like it, ever - period.
The extraction of recorded information presented has been a revelation and jaw dropper - It's a cart / stylus profile that says "So you think you know your fave tracks ? - think again because this is the real / far nearer the actual recording"
From 2M Black to Quintet Black to Cadenza Black were subtle and definite upgrades. The Cadenza Black original Shibata to FGS profile is a big notch up in terms of true hifi-delity and what that means.
I could go on further but keeping things simple - The FGS profile is thin and long so it gets right in. Not only that, its contact area is large this results in it extracting untold info from the groove walls / recording in a way that other stylus's as good as they can be, simply cant. A spoon cannot scoop up as much as a spade
Angus told me that it has to be FGS for him from now on and I absolutley feel the same. When this one eventually goes, I'll go the same route again, no question.
Genius move James, to consider having it done on the 2MB, genius !
Welcome to the realms and revelation of 'true hi-fidelity' I'm well chuffed for you, but you deserve it for thinking outside of the usual and daring to not walk the same old 'safe' tried and tested road - bravo !
You thought it was so good before didnt you....... ?! ....
Last edited by RobbieGong; 17-02-2019 at 15:18.
My System:
Amplification - Sansui AU-alpha 707 DR
Turntable - Technics SP10 MK2-Technics EPA-250 Tonearm-Yannis Tome 423.5Plus tonearm cable-Eichmann KLEI Absolute Harmony plugs.
Ortofon Cadenza Black moving coil cartridge-Fritz Gyger S re-tip. Panzerholz plinth.
CDP - Pioneer PD-91
Speakers - Spendor D7 on Soundcare SuperSpikes
QED Silver Spiral speaker cable-airloc banana plugs
Mains - Ultra Pure silver plated un-switched socket-Missing link EPS 500 silver plated plugs-Hi-Fi Tuning gold plated silver ceramic 13 amp fuses
Hi Rob,
I have to thank you for the inspiration to do it. Although I know a few people on here know about Holistic Audio, it was your experience that got me thinking what if..... I did not imagine the 2M could be improved but as you have found with the FGS stylus it takes it to another level altogether. Kilians work and service is superb and he has the skill and ability to transform cartridges to something that is already good into something very special indeed.
I am going to enjoy this experience as I now have to rediscover my record collection which could take some time!!
And as you said Rob, I thought the 2M was good before but now......
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
Good on ya James,
As you already know, you're now in for a treat. In fact on some recordings you've long been familiar with you're going to be astonished
My System:
Amplification - Sansui AU-alpha 707 DR
Turntable - Technics SP10 MK2-Technics EPA-250 Tonearm-Yannis Tome 423.5Plus tonearm cable-Eichmann KLEI Absolute Harmony plugs.
Ortofon Cadenza Black moving coil cartridge-Fritz Gyger S re-tip. Panzerholz plinth.
CDP - Pioneer PD-91
Speakers - Spendor D7 on Soundcare SuperSpikes
QED Silver Spiral speaker cable-airloc banana plugs
Mains - Ultra Pure silver plated un-switched socket-Missing link EPS 500 silver plated plugs-Hi-Fi Tuning gold plated silver ceramic 13 amp fuses
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 71
I'm Julian.
wonder how this would compare to an Ortofon 540 which has the fritz gyger....
Location: essex; uk
Posts: 260
I'm richard.
This is all very useful...... I have bronze 2m. Its got me wondering as I was thinking if the upgrade to black would be a good idea (considering all the set up aggravation) but if this is cheaper and easier to setup (RP3 - 2015). I actually like the bronze so this could be a win-win.
Someone put me off the idea please?!?
Regards Richard