Audio Note IQ-2

[Wardsweb]

Cartridge: Audio Note IQ - 2
Weight: 1.75g
Arm: Rega 200
Table: Rega Planar 300
Amp: Harman Kardon A500
Speakers: Altec A7
Album: Nora Jones


First let me say this is one of the easiest cartridges I've ever installed. No messing with little washers and nuts. The cartridge is threaded, so just use the supplied cap head allen screws. With 5.5mv output, I had to turndown the amp. This had the added benefit of lowering the noise ceiling to inaudible.

Now for what does it sound like; in a word "smooth." I don't know if that is a term used with cartridges, but it's the best thing I can use to describe the sound. In comparison, the Grado GF3 now seems harsh and overly bright. The Audio Note seems to take the edge off and supply just very detailed music. Reminds me of when I first added some lead shot to the upper lip of the A7 horns. The music is effortless and seems to just roll out of the speakers. Bottom line is I'm very happy with the purchase and want to thank Grumpy for giving me the heads up on the auction.

[reyneman]

Thanks for the review, Ward

I am looking for an affordable cartridge for a system I'm planning on putting together this fall, and have moved AN to my list of possibilities. You say smooth, but no loss of detail. Have you tried other cartridges besides the Grado?

Just trying to have others do the legwork for me here:)

[Wardsweb]

Yes very detailed music. It's like having the music brought into focus, to take a photography term. The brushes on the snare are not just a swoosh, you can hear them dragging across the top of the snare drum. It seems to pull out minut details in instruments, bring forth stuff in the background that wasn't there before and in a way that is not fatiguing to listen to. I need some time to really listen but have already found that it picks up everything on the vinyl. The downside is it also picks up something mechanical in the turntable that I can hear inbetween tracks. Now I must trouble shoot that. :( I guess that the downside of upgrading, it finds the next weakest link in your system.

[grumpy]

Ward

Sounds like that cart is doing exactly what its supposed to. My guess is once you put about 20-40 more hours on it it will only get better. Sorry to hear about the small noise problem you have but like you said a quality component will usually highlight a week link. I bet you will have it tracked down and taken care of in no time.

Grumpy

[BrianB]

Hi Wardsweb,

Yes, the Audio Note cartridges are quite special - and go a long way towards dispelling the notion that MM cartridges are necessarily inferior to MC cartridges.

Oh, and $100 was a FANTASTIC price for a "barely used" IQ-2. Congratulations on the find!

Cheers,
Brian

[car67]

Now isn't that a pretty sight. Threaded screwholes as well.:thmbsp:

Great review and great deal too. Thanks and hope you sort out that little noise problem.

cheers
Jack