What Cartridge(s) Is Everyone Using
- Thread starter Steve williams
- Start date
It still amazes me that many "experienced" audiophiles consider the cartridge as important, or more-so, than the turntable & arm. I get a bigger kick when those 'philes go on and justify their expensive cartridge purchase, which cost as much, or more than the 'table/arm, to those in the same position. The blind leading the blind so to speak.
That said, I get the same "kick" when people compare a compromised turntable to some digital component and then claim without reservation ... "digital is superior".
tb1
Which audiophiles are you talking about ? It all works as a system... If you have a top flight table and arm, it would be pretty silly using a mid line thousand dollar cart. Yes, I can hear the difference between the best carts and the more affordable one's. When you are shooting for the best possible sound, there is no compromising, cart included. Please don't generalize audiophiles as those that fit your opinionated definition. Cheers !
K, I wasn't clear ...
an example of what I meant was when an audiophile puts a $1.2K cartridge on a $500 turntable/arm.
I totally understand that when shooting for stars, the cartridge of choice is of vital importance. However, it will NEVER be more important than either the turntable or arm in ANY system, because all carts are slaved to the sound of their mount.
I didn't generalize, I was alluding to certain audiophiles who ...
tb1
I've seen this done, and I don't agree with it at all. It's a waste as you're never able to fully extract all of the detail said cartridge is capable of.
I have a $2,000 Nottingham with a lowly, but a workhorse of an arm, RB250. Most of the time I've run a Grado Ref Platinum with it, but now I want to upgrade to a Sonata or an Ortofon Back and perhaps a Benz, if I can find a good used one. $600-$750 is all I'm prepared to spend. If I had $1200-$1500 at my disposal I'd stick with the Platinum and get a better arm first.
True, but when they hear "THE difference" such a cart will ultimately have with their $500 turntable, they'll assume otherwise, and it's at that very point in which the debate becomes ...
I'm a big fan of Notts, but not so much with their "space" arms. I've heard em mostly with OL arms and a Shelter cartridges, superb noise floor characteristics. I once heard a Nott with that weird & wonderful RS-A1 arm ... I was surprised how nice that combo performed.
tb1
We are back to equating cost with quality , its never as simple, Look at the comments , how many times have we seen the high dollar table and then The excuses , always excuses ....
true, but cost & quality are interdependent and often do relate, even if a "giant killer" lurks ...
tb1
There are hi-fi shows every year where are the glory reports on TT's , mostly negative reports from show goers and excuses from manufacturers defending their expensive behemoth's ...
The digital crowd laugh Ha, Ha ...
When a 50K analog rig cant get out of it's way after being setup by "professionals" one has to wonder about the "emperor" .....
Regards ,
The digital crowd laugh Ha, Ha ...
When a 50K analog rig cant get out of it's way after being setup by "professionals" one has to wonder about the "emperor" .....
Regards ,
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Yes ..
Digital swingers love to see wonton analog fail , nothing precipitates this faster than a 50k TT failing to deliver , worst, bad analog is far worse than bad digital ...
They laugh ha, ha ...
Yes ..
Digital swingers love to see wonton analog fail , nothing precipitates this faster than a 50k TT failing to deliver , worst, bad analog is far worse than bad digital ...
They laugh ha, ha ...
so what is this $50K rig that fails to deliver as you say ?
Christian,
I was responding to comments made on this forum regarding TT's at the various Hi-fi shows and their lack of performance mostly due to the complexities involved in setting up a TT. So due to the lack of good demo's, how does one go about selecting or comparing 5k plus cartridges , how are you basing your decision , there are many variables , worst , the industry is so incestuous where rebadging is not unusual from one manufacturer to the next ..
How do you determine good , better, best .....?
I was responding to comments made on this forum regarding TT's at the various Hi-fi shows and their lack of performance mostly due to the complexities involved in setting up a TT. So due to the lack of good demo's, how does one go about selecting or comparing 5k plus cartridges , how are you basing your decision , there are many variables , worst , the industry is so incestuous where rebadging is not unusual from one manufacturer to the next ..
How do you determine good , better, best .....?
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well it certainly is not easy. Based on my rig, I determined a price range for carts I want to consider. I perform as much rigorous research via internet for reviews both professional and on other forum sites, word of mouth and at that point decide which way I want to roll the dice. Demo's are not an option, most of the time, so you are literally buying on faith to some extent. The best peforming carts are pretty well known along with their sound character and particluar tonearm best matches...
I am curious too which tts weren't performing well at shows. I find that the exception (usually if broken or damaged in shipping) not the rule.
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