Equipment Recommendations - The Home For New System and Upgrade Advice

[HuddieLedbetter]

Quick question: I've a friend that is looking at bookshelf speakers -- does anyone know enough about Zu Audio's bookshelf to feel comfortable recommending them. After all I read (from all of you) the company seems to be exceptional, but I can't find much on the bookshelf's themselves?

Omen Bookshelf | Zu Audio | Hi-Fi audio speakers and cables hand built in the USA

[Cussing supply issues. We hope to have Omen Bookshelf available again sometime in 2021—when key components are again available.] Built to order—six to eight weeks for completion depending on finish. Omen Bookshelf Mk.II [Rev-B] Omen loudspeakers are designed for max vocal range resolution and n

www.zuaudio.com

 

[duke86fan]

That list is 10 years old easy.

Sonically, they are all over the place. I really hated to see the Shure on any list. That thing is bland.

I’ve owned half of the cartridges on that list. The thing that bugs me is I remember what things used to cost. I paid $550 for the Dynavector 20XL. And I really liked it. Had it rebuilt when it wore out and the rebuild didn’t sound the same (or as good). No way in hell do I think it’s worth $1095 though.

i just thought it was more a recommendation list and i guess im having the "is it worth it" thoughts when it comes to the nagaoka compared to the 2M blue or a new grado

 

[MikeH]

Quick question: I've a friend that is looking at bookshelf speakers -- does anyone know enough about Zu Audio's bookshelf to feel comfortable recommending them. After all I read (from all of you) the company seems to be exceptional, but I can't find much on the bookshelf's themselves?

Omen Bookshelf | Zu Audio | Hi-Fi audio speakers and cables hand built in the USA

[Cussing supply issues. We hope to have Omen Bookshelf available again sometime in 2021—when key components are again available.] Built to order—six to eight weeks for completion depending on finish. Omen Bookshelf Mk.II [Rev-B] Omen loudspeakers are designed for max vocal range resolution and n

www.zuaudio.com

Might be worth asking this in the Zu thread as well!

Zu Dirty Weekend

I'm also using ceramic tiles over carpet and love the sound I'm getting, big deep meaty bass. I used one of those half CD cases to measure the gap.

www.needlesandgrooves.com

 

[debianlinux]

i just thought it was more a recommendation list and i guess im having the "is it worth it" thoughts when it comes to the nagaoka compared to the 2M blue or a new grado

Depends on what you have now and what you like or dislike about that.

 

[duke86fan]

Depends on what you have now and what you like or dislike about that.

i have a grado black.. i like it but i find it a little bit too muddy and that i can get so much better and more beautiful

 

[debianlinux]

i have a grado black.. i like it but i find it a little bit too muddy and that i can get so much better and more beautiful

I can tell you the 2M Blue will be anything but muddy. It may verge on harsh or clinical but will not be muddy at all. I personally like the Orto sound but the Grado sound has really grown on me. It’s definitely “richer” or more “rounded”. Muddy could be an effect of something else in your chain, though.

 

[Joe Mac]

I can tell you the 2M Blue will be anything but muddy. It may verge on harsh or clinical but will not be muddy at all. I personally like the Orto sound but the Grado sound has really grown on me. It’s definitely “richer” or more “rounded”. Muddy could be an effect of something else in your chain, though.

I really liked the 2M blue for a long time, it’s probably the only cart in the 2M line that I’d recommend. When I was using my mid range integrated amp it reacted really well to the better phono stage too. The problem I had with it was that when I replaced the mid range amp with the PS Audio pre-amp and tube power amp they were expressing more of what the blue was sending. On high notes the detail often gave way to sibilance. The Gold2 has less detail but didn’t have as harsh a sound. The 8MZ stylus and the Opus3 were both big steps up again.

Id rank the carts/styli that I’ve owned as follows.

For sound:

Opus3 > Gold2 + 8MZ > Gold2 > 2M Blue > 2M Red

For Detail

Opus3 > Gold2 + 8MZ > 2M Blue > Gold2 > 2M Red

 

[HiFi Guy]

Id rank the cats/styli that I’ve owned as follows.

You name your cats after cartridge brands? You are hardcore.

 

[duke86fan]

I can tell you the 2M Blue will be anything but muddy. It may verge on harsh or clinical but will not be muddy at all. I personally like the Orto sound but the Grado sound has really grown on me. It’s definitely “richer” or more “rounded”. Muddy could be an effect of something else in your chain, though.

it was either that.. half because of insecurity, or the nagaoka which i keep hearing is great

 

[HiFi Guy]

i have a grado black.. i like it but i find it a little bit too muddy and that i can get so much better and more beautiful

You are way overthinking this. The best way to find out what is right for you is to buy a cartridge and try it. I don’t know if it’s still available, but @AnthonyI has an A/T for peanuts that I’d recommend you try.

 

[AnthonyI]

You are way overthinking this. The best way to find out what is right for you is to buy a cartridge and try it. I don’t know if it’s still available, but @AnthonyI has an A/T for peanuts that I’d recommend you try.

Still here, no pressure.

 

[duke86fan]

Still here, no pressure.

i'll think about it but seeing as my current DAC, Preamp, and headphones were all used i feel like im becoming someone who will buy anyones secondhand stuff

 

[AnthonyI]

i'll think about it but seeing as my current DAC, Preamp, and headphones were all used i feel like im becoming someone who will buy anyones secondhand stuff

That's fine and a real odd way to look at it...........have you had problems with someones "second hand stuff"? I mean, your money, do as you see fit, but someones second hand stuff isn't necessarily a bad thing, and its usually at a pretty good savings.

 

[kvetcha]

i'll think about it but seeing as my current DAC, Preamp, and headphones were all used i feel like im becoming someone who will buy anyones secondhand stuff

Equipment in my system purchased used or open box:

speakers
tube amplifier
phono stage
turntable
subwoofer

 

[duke86fan]

That's fine and a real odd way to look at it...........have you had problems with someones "second hand stuff"? I mean, your money, do as you see fit, but someones second hand stuff isn't necessarily a bad thing, and its usually at a pretty good savings.

its just the world is ironically green texting me
>is scared to buy used because of diseases and paranoia about curses and shit
>buys most good stuff used

 

[AnthonyI]

Equipment in my system purchased used or open box:

speakers
tube amplifier
phono stage
turntable
subwoofer

Ditto
Prima Luna Dialouge HP - Open Box
Zu Omen DW - Used
Marantz HD-CD1 - Open Box
Marantz HD-DAC1 - Used
Pioneer PLX 1000 - Open Box
Polk Audio LSiM703 - Used

 

[debianlinux]

Used is like guaranteed working and burnt in. I don't see the issue at all.

 

[duke86fan]

Used is like guaranteed working and burnt in. I don't see the issue at all.

isn't buying a used cartridge not the best idea because then you lost a bunch of hours of playback and have to replace the stylus which is at least 70% of a cartridges cost?

also whats the sound difference between the MP110 and the audiotechnica 95ML (especially since its just a cheap 95E with a better stylus)

 

[Joe Mac]

You name your cats after cartridge brands? You are hardcore.

Thankfully my apartment isn’t ruled by any little furry sociopaths!

 

[dansomeone]

isn't buying a used cartridge not the best idea because then you lost a bunch of hours of playback and have to replace the stylus which is at least 70% of a cartridges cost?

also whats the sound difference between the MP110 and the audiotechnica 95ML (especially since its just a cheap 95E with a better stylus)

Buying a used cartridge is fine if you trust the seller's estimate of hours used. And you should receive a discount proportionate to that usage.

Here's a local comparison of the AT and the Nagaoka:

Second that recommendation in this price range. Owning both the MP-110 and the above mentioned VM95ML I can say that the latter blows the Nagaoka out of the water. In a subjective listen for tone both aren’t too far off from each other, neutralish with good bass, but the AT easily beats the Nag is HF reproducing and tracking. The dirty secret of the Nagaoka is that it’s not a particularly adept tracker with its large bonded elliptical which is closer to the standard $40 95e than the nude MicroLine of the 95ML. Certain YouTube reviews will hype the MP-110 up as smooth and IGD free but this is not my experience at all, as its poor tracking of inner grooves and hot cuts makes for a grainy experience. The 95ML is a much smoother tracking cart and tonally and metrically flat into standard phono stages.

I’ve been evangelizing this cart for a while and I’m starting to sound like a Stan, but it’s really a great deal for the money, and the happiest I’ve ever been sub $200.

You could also say the mp110 is just a cheap mp100 with a better stylus. But that stylus upgrade in the AT line makes a big difference according to @Ed Selley

Audio Technica VM95 Cartridges Review

Turntable not sounding as good as it did? It might be time for a new cartridge and Audio Technica has just launched a whole affordable range of them.

www.avforums.com

The 95ML is a very good cart. I haven't heard the mp110, but I gather it's very good too.