The price has nothing to do with the quality, the more important is the knowledge about cartridges, people behind the design of certain MC and their philosophy. Tonearm/cartridge match, your phono stage capabilities. Don't forget that heyday of analog technologies is definitely not today! Any top quality cartridge designed in the 80's will cost less and will give you more than many overpriced new units. Even $1000-2000 is very expensive for a cartridge, but at this price it's not a problem to buy something outstanding. Phono cartridges at $5k - $10k are made for reach people, once you will damage such cartridge you will understand why they must be avoided. I'm pretty sure that buying such cartridges is pointless until you will investigate why so many knowledgeable audiophiles prefer some killer vintage MC from well known designers at lower prices on used market. It can be 5 different cartridges for the price of 1. I ended up with more than 20 different cartridges instead of a few very expensive new ultra high-end units i owned in the past. The experience with classic high-end is much more important, some of my favorite cartridges are not the most expensive, but i love the sound i can hear with them.
At what price point do I run into diminishing returns on an MC Cartridge?
I need to replace my MC cartridge. I've had limited experience with them but I have certainly noticed a dramatic difference in performance. My first 3 were priced at $500 Sumiko, $900 Ortofon and $5000 Linn Kandid. The difference between my first cartridge and second - nearly double in price, was a very noticeable improvement. Then I took the plunge and spent $5000 (after tax) for my Linn Kandid cartridge. The difference and improvement in the quality of sound was startling. The soundstage was like nothing I'd ever heard before. Coupled with my newly acquired McIntosh MP 1100 phono pre-amp and I was hearing things in LP's that quite frankly I had never heard before. Amazing! So here's the question: At what price point do I run into seriously diminished returns on a cartridge investment? I rather doubt I'm going to have "double" the quality of sound that I received with my Linn Kandid cartridge if e.g. I went up to a $10K cartridge. So, my question to you audiophiles with loads of experience, what is your opinion on what price point (neighborhood) would take me to a place where every dollar spent thereafter would yield only micro returns. Said another way, what is the best price point to take anyone to the the same neighborhood as a person with "money to burn" on cartridges? BTW, I realize there are probably some pearls that don't cost nearly as much - and that money doesn't always buy you love. If you KNOW of those do tell.
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- 48 posts total
- 48 posts total