AirTight Opus1 and Lyra Atlas SL, a direct comparison

PeterA

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Peter, are you able to compare for us in any meaningful way the Opus 1 to the PC-1 Supreme?

I may one day ask Ian if I can bring his Opus to my place or take my Supreme to his for a direct comparison. Absent that, right now, and based on what I have heard in two different systems, I would say that the Opus is more dynamic and better extended than the Supreme, plus it is more resolving. It basically is more and better without changing the overall balance of what the Supreme does and does not do. I don't know if that is of any help or makes any sense.

Put another way, the Opus reminds me of my MSL Sig Gold more than it does my Supreme.
 

Tango

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Are you saying that right now the Opus 1 does not sound any bit fuller or richer than the Atlas SL?

But regardless of system and associated components in every cartridge comparison with an Atlas or even an Atlas SL I personally always have preferred the (less lean and less analytical) cartridge being compared.

Same meat on the bone Ron. Only Opus1 has that more holographic, reverberation, woody body dimensional sound so people feel it is more fuller richer, and it is more upclose. You have listened to Mike’s GFS. AtlasSL is more comparable to the GFS in term of staging, holographicness and woody sound which are noticeably less than Opus1.

Tang
 

Tango

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Tang, Christian, David: How do you decide how far to put the motor from the turntable? (How tight should the belt be on the platter?)

From the look of David’s belt, I think it is the same one using with AF1P so initially I set it pretty much the same tightness as AF1P. Then when I calibrated the speed I tighten/loosen the belt to find the spot that get me the speed closest to +/-0.005 of 33.333. I did this on my own logic. Might not be right. David can tell.

Tang
 

Tango

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Tang, now that I have heard these cartridges, albeit in a different system than yours, I understand how you are describing their sound. Now, where does the MSL Signature Platinum fit in all of this? Do you listen to it very much? I ask because the sound of the Opus reminds me more of my MSL Sig Gold than it does of my AirTight Supreme. Is the Sig Platinum between the Atlas and Opus in terms of tonal balance, dynamics, immersive feeling, the way it portrays the notes, etc?

Peter,

The MSL Platinum sounds like sibling or little brother of Opus1. Same tone but It doesn’t has the same degree of immersive holographic effect of Opus1. Excellent sounding cart but imo the more expensive Opus1 justifies its higher price. I don’t listen to MSL much because it doesn’t offer enough difference in flavor to Opus. The MSL doesn’t sound like AtlasSL and not a midway between AtlasSL and Opus. Etna is also not a midway between Opus and AtlasSL. AtlasSL is closer to GFS.

Tang
 

Ron Resnick

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I may one day ask Ian if I can bring his Opus to my place or take my Supreme to his for a direct comparison. Absent that, right now, and based on what I have heard in two different systems, I would say that the Opus is more dynamic and better extended than the Supreme, plus it is more resolving. It basically is more and better without changing the overall balance of what the Supreme does and does not do. I don't know if that is of any help or makes any sense.

Put another way, the Opus reminds me of my MSL Sig Gold more than it does my Supreme.

Yes, thank you!

Can I assume that if the PC-1 Supreme and the Opus 1 cost the exact same amount that you think everyone would choose the Opus 1? Is there any reason somebody might prefer the PC-1 Supreme?
 

tima

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I am interested in both the Atlas SL and the Opus 1. PeterA, your account in the opening post was helpful, perhaps as capable a sonic compare and contrast of the two cartridges as I've read. Nice job. Tang's account of how the Atlas SL developed over time for his ears was also helpful.

Which leads me to ask a question of each of you - perhaps an unfair question: Which cartridge delivers an experience closest to what you might hear in the concert hall? (Pick your hall and seat. :)
 

Tango

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Which leads me to ask a question of each of you - perhaps an unfair question: Which cartridge delivers an experience closest to what you might hear in the concert hall? (Pick your hall and seat. :)

Concert hall - Opus1.

But I have been infected by Ron’s virus of mind changing every so often.
So This week’s special is Opus1. Next week maybe AtlasSL. GFS might be a month from now. :eek:

Tang
 

Ron Resnick

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Hahaha! :D
 

MadFloyd

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I am interested in both the Atlas SL and the Opus 1. PeterA, your account in the opening post was helpful, perhaps as capable a sonic compare and contrast of the two cartridges as I've read. Nice job. Tang's account of how the Atlas SL developed over time for his ears was also helpful.

Which leads me to ask a question of each of you - perhaps an unfair question: Which cartridge delivers an experience closest to what you might hear in the concert hall? (Pick your hall and seat. :)

I realize you're not specifically asking me, but I will say this: I listen to the BSO regularly and like to sit on the first balcony (left side) just above where the stage ends (and floor seating beings). I find the sound there incredible; it is both detailed and rich and provides a lot of instrument separation/localization. Obviously visuals help with that but even with your eyes closed there is a 'soundstage'. In my system, which is on the neutral side, the Opus-1 wins (thus far) for orchestral music as it renders 'air' between the instruments much better than the Atlas. Even during very busy passages I can hear the an individual instrument more easily and hear its decay). I think this is pretty close to the perspective I get from those seats but it might apply to the 10th row center on the floor as well. As Tang mentioned, the Opus does render images larger than life; perhaps in a tube-bloom sort of way (ARC electronics come to mind?).

I am starting to think that Tang's preference for the Atlas on jazz may become my own, but I like holography for orchestral and the Opus definitely wins for that.
 
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tima

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I realize you're not specifically asking me, but I will say this: I listen to the BSO regularly and like to sit on the first balcony (left side) just above where the stage ends (and floor seating beings). I find the sound there incredible; it is both detailed and rich and provides a lot of instrument separation/localization. Obviously visuals help with that but even with your eyes closed there is a 'soundstage'. In my system, which is on the neutral side, the Opus-1 wins (thus far) for orchestral music as it renders 'air' between the instruments much better than the Atlas. Even during very busy passages I can hear the an individual instrument more easily and hear its decay). I think this is pretty close to the perspective I get from those seats but it might apply to the 10th row center on the floor as well. As Tang mentioned, the Opus does render images larger than life; perhaps in a tube-bloom sort of way (ARC electronics come to mind?).

I am starting to think that Tang's preference for the Atlas on jazz may become my own, but I like holography for orchestral and the Opus definitely wins for that.

Good comments - thanks! You too Tango.
 

PeterA

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Yes, thank you!

Can I assume that if the PC-1 Supreme and the Opus 1 cost the exact same amount that you think everyone would choose the Opus 1? Is there any reason somebody might prefer the PC-1 Supreme?

Hi Ron, I would have responded that you might prefer the Supreme while everyone else in the class would prefer the Opus, based on your earlier comments about your love for the Benz cartridge and what I perceived as a general dislike for high amounts of detail. However, you seem to really like Mike's system with its extraordinary level of resolution, so based on that, I now think that even you would prefer the Opus over the Supreme.

Unfortunately, the two do not cost the same, and my MSL Sig Gold reminds me a lot of the Opus, so having now heard the Opus, I am satisfied with the Sig Gold. One can only do what he can do. Perhaps I should next compare my Sig Gold to Ian's Opus in my system.
 

PeterA

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I am interested in both the Atlas SL and the Opus 1. PeterA, your account in the opening post was helpful, perhaps as capable a sonic compare and contrast of the two cartridges as I've read. Nice job. Tang's account of how the Atlas SL developed over time for his ears was also helpful.

Which leads me to ask a question of each of you - perhaps an unfair question: Which cartridge delivers an experience closest to what you might hear in the concert hall? (Pick your hall and seat. :)

Thank you for the kind words, tima. I agree with Ian and Tang. The Opus sounds more like what I hear at Boston Symphony Hall, 7th row, center, than does the Atlas. I also think it sounds more real when referencing a chamber setting for a small ensemble. The Atlas gets that leading edge right, so for piano, cello and violin in a large living room, that is very convincing. However, here again, the Opus gets the rest of the note, the sustain and decay and "woody" character, the whole gesthalt? in a more convincing way, plus the sense of immersion is more complete. These are more important to me in these kinds of unamplified acoustic settings. The Atlas shines a spotlight on that leading edge, the Opus makes you forget about the sound and listen to the music, at least with large and small scale classical music. Like Tang, I might give the edge to the Atlas for sounding more like what one hears from drums and horns in a jazz club setting. I'd have to think about that for minute. Are the jazz instruments amplified and/or close mic'd? Ian told me that for him it would depend on the type of music, the recording, and his particular mood that day. I understand why he, Gian, and Tang have both.

Another interesting thing from Tang's posts is the idea that the Atlas improves even more over time. Is one getting used to the sound, is the cartridge changing? Is the Opus a bit euphonic which is more noticeable over time and on small scale music where one does not struggle as much to distinguish the sound of individual instruments? It may also depend on the character of the rest of one's system.

The other major difference between the Lyra and AirTight, which only comes to mind now, is that they address internal vibrations in different ways. The Opus is designed with a massive metal sink which is meant to attenuate vibrations before they reach the tonearm. The Atlas, I think, is designed to pass that energy on, away from the cartridge, and into the tonearm. These different approaches may mean that the tonearm that one chooses to use with the cartridge may have a large impact on the overall sound. The cartridges' outputs vary considerably too, meaning that one's phono stage may need to be quieter and have more gain if choosing the Atlas.
 
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Ron Resnick

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Hi Ron, I would have responded that you might prefer the Supreme while everyone else in the class would prefer the Opus, based on your earlier comments about your love for the Benz cartridge and what I perceived as a general dislike for high amounts of detail. However, you seem to really like Mike's system with its extraordinary level of resolution, so based on that, I now think that even you would prefer the Opus over the Supreme.

Unfortunately, the two do not cost the same, and my MSL Sig Gold reminds me a lot of the Opus, so having now heard the Opus, I am satisfied with the Sig Gold. One can only do what he can do. Perhaps I should next compare my Sig Gold to Ian's Opus in my system.

Thank you, Peter. :)
 

Birdwatcher

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Thanks a lot for these statements on these cartridges. I have the original Atlas for some years and I am very interested to try an Opus 1 in my system.
Any further comparisons?
 
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Tango

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Thanks a lot for these statements on these cartridges. I have the original Atlas for some years and I am very interested to try an Opus 1 in my system.
Any further comparisons?
Peter's comments on the carts were made a few years back. His system has evolved greatly since. If he listens to the carts again I bet he would hear more differences and could add or offer opinions quite a bit differently. Right now he can hear more cart and less colors.
 
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PeterA

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Peter's comments on the carts were made a few years back. His system has evolved greatly since. If he listens to the carts again I bet he would hear more differences and could add or offer opinions quite a bit differently. Right now he can hear more cart and less colors.

Tang, the original comparison was made in Madfloyd’s system, not mine. These are his cartridges though he now has the Atlas Lambda.
 

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