Air Tight PC1, Clearaudio Titanium

cptaz -- Sun, 09/02/2007 - 16:20

Hi, I currently own a Van den Hul Colibri XGM whose output level of 0.45 mV, into the built-in MC phono stage of an Hovland HP100 tube preamp, in my system and room, forces me to raise the volume knob well into the noisy area.

As confirmed by Hovland, a cart output of 0.6-0.8 mV would greatly reduce the problem, the higher the better, so it's time for a change and I'd like to try something else.

Doing my homework, I've narrowed it down to Air Tight PC1 -0.6 mV- and Clearaudio Titanium -0.8 mV-, being unable to audition anything here -Italy-, can anybody who have listened to both -JV maybe- give me some hints, also re: VdH?

My taste is for lively, dynamic sound, not romantic, possibly not edgy or thin in the midband.
Table is VPI HRX - JMW 12.6, the Hovland MC phono load is 530 ohm w/built-in SUTs.

Thank you.

Jonathan Valin -- Mon, 09/17/2007 - 20:35

cptaz,

I used the Clearaudio Titanium before I switched over the Air Tight PC-1. IMO, the PC-1 is the better cartridge. Indeed, in my experience the PC-1 has only one serious rival, the Clearaudio Goldfinger v2. If liveliness is your chief criterion, then either of these cartridges will fit your bill perfectly. Indeed, these are the two fastest, hardest-hitting moving coils I've heard. The PC-1 may hold a slight edge in transient speed; the Goldfinger in soundstaging. Neither is edgy or threadbare; neither is "romantic" sounding. Both are robust, incredibly detailed, and quite realistic (given first-rate sources).

Jon

cptaz -- Wed, 09/19/2007 - 12:23

Thank you very much Jon, that helps a lot.

pederb -- Fri, 07/11/2008 - 10:39

Hi Jonathan,

Just saw this thread and wanted to let you know that the Titanium is now available in a v2 version. The improvement is as much as between Goldfinger v1 and v2. The one you revived was the old version I think.

Rgs

Peder Beckman
Director of Sales
Musical Surroundings
www.musicalsurroundings.com