All of these posts really make me want to hear the new MSL Platinum Signature. Some of my golden eared a'phile friends, who have heard this cartridge, claim it is far better sounding than the Opus 1!!!
Air Tight Opus 1 arrived
- Thread starter gian60
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I prefer my MSL Signature Gold to my AirTight Supreme. The Opus 1 uses some of the features of the MSL Sig Gold like the cantilever material and I think the impedance and output is the same. I'd have to look at the specs again. The Supreme was designed first, then the MSL Sig gold was developed followed by the Opus 1, so they may have used some of the ideas first developed in the MSL Sig Gold.
How do you friends describe the differences between the Opus and the Plat. Signature?
Realistically, with minor material and design differences, they are almost the same cartridge. It does not make sense to me that one could possibly be far better sounding than the other.
Consensus seems to be that the MSL is more resolving and rides quieter in the groove. I'm not certain how this could be accomplished...and as I said, I have not heard the MSL. I have heard the Opus 1 ( even though I think the US pricing is bordering on insulting, there seem to be examples around), and I think it's a great cartridge, so to beat it in those areas would lead me to want to hear the MSL for myself.
Interestingly, and as usual, the price of the MSL in Japan is but a mere fraction of what it is here. ( and most likely in Europe as well!) That is going to make the cartridge more difficult to hear here. Although, I understand that the distribution of the MSL line is now under the control of Music Direct ( it was with AJ Conti before his passing) ...and I have it on some authority that Music Direct is going to be re-aligning the pricing structure with what they believe the US market will bear. ( Presumably they will be priced lower...???-- how much lower is anybody's guess. Nonetheless, I'm sure that Music Direct will still be going for the jugular---maybe not quite as much as before; and certainly no where near what they can be sourced for in Japan).
If the Italian Don of Highend pushes me, how could I resist. With ddk’s tt I have so many arms left after all..hahaha
My radar is still on the ZYX. But now I am leaning toward not so low output cart. I think they are more easily match with my phonos.
Tang
Obviously, Gian and I are not twins, but what he said is nothing short of what I think on these carts. We both have almost similar carts and pretty much hear the same characteristics. I said a few times that my Kronos/SAT/Opus with good jazz vocal records sound close to or sometime better than tape. Most people probably say that is bullshit. But I hear what I hear. This is why I want to improve the sound from my Studer. I think tape should sound better than tt in bigger margin than this.
To answer Ron’s question. Yes, I prefer the Opus to Coralstone.
Tang
I agree with DaveyF about how this could be accomplished.
On resolving and quieter side of things, I compare the Opus to tape all the time. If a cart gets any more resolving and quiet than the Opus, I must buy. All digital guys came listened to my vinyl, they all said they didn’t know vinyl can get this awefully quiet (apart from some pops) and then they realized what they were missing from other things...hehe.
Tang
you guys aware that MSL and AT carts are the same manufacture yes?
their is a zero chance anyone can buy a "AIR TIGHT" carts in Japan. only MSL.
now even more so, when the MSL master
stopped building their cart's and moved his designs and manufacture to PLATANUS.
Platanus is now one of the most important Japanese cart builders...
Tetsuya Sukehiro and Osamu Nagao
Testsuya san is the youngest of the two. and he is actually build the Cart's.
he was previously builded the Ikeda cart line...
and now with his own "brand" platanus cart (its actually Miyabi fuuga) build MSL + AIRTIGHT and others brands.
their is a zero chance anyone can buy a "AIR TIGHT" carts in Japan. only MSL.
now even more so, when the MSL master
stopped building their cart's and moved his designs and manufacture to PLATANUS.
Platanus is now one of the most important Japanese cart builders...
Tetsuya Sukehiro and Osamu Nagao
Testsuya san is the youngest of the two. and he is actually build the Cart's.
he was previously builded the Ikeda cart line...
and now with his own "brand" platanus cart (its actually Miyabi fuuga) build MSL + AIRTIGHT and others brands.
Tape sound quality is variable, just like vinyl sound quality. I have only heard R2R tape a few times directly compared to vinyl in the same system. I have no difficulty believing that a top vinyl source can sound as good or better than some tape sources.
Quick Question - I am considering an Air Tight Opus-1, but cannot find any cartridge loading info on the net or various sites. My ARC - Ref Phone 2se has loading capabilities of 50,100, 200, 400, 1000, 2500 and 47K ohms. The impedance of the Opus is 1.4 ohms.
For those who have listened or own an Air Tight Opus-1 cart, what to do prefer to load it at with your phone pre?
For those who have listened or own an Air Tight Opus-1 cart, what to do prefer to load it at with your phone pre?
Dear Alex,
Since this post almost a year ago do you have any additional observations comparing the Air Tight Opus to the ZYX UNIverse Premium?
Hi Ron,
Sorry, both Air Tight as well as the ZYX are long gone. We might get another Air Tight soon, so I'll have the chance to listen some more. I've been listening mostly to the A95 for the past year...
cheers,
alex
Hi Gian,
I will move my 3seater sofa one meter to the right and the put the AS there. With new phonos coming in, I have no more space and have to put AF1 motor controller and pump on the floor to make rooms. I wish I could take the sofa out but my wife will cut all my audio budget.
Kind regards,
Tang
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