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Cartridges: Complete Scam?

I’m very new to analog, and researching my options on forums I keep coming across the same sentiment: that past the ultra low-end cartridges, there is very little gains in actual sound quality and that all you’re getting are different styles and colorations to the sound.

So, for example, if I swapped out my $200 cartridge that came with my table for a Soundsmith, Dynavector, Oracle, etc, I may notice a small improvement in detail and dynamics, but I’m mostly just going to get a different flavor. Multiple people told me they perffered thier old vintage cartridges over modern laser-cut boron-necked diamonds.

It’s possible that these people are just desperately defending thier old junk and/or have never heard high end audio. But if what they’re saying is true, than the cartridge industry is a giant SCAM. If I blow 2.5k minimum on an Air Tight I better get a significant improvement over a $200 bundler — and if just all amounts to a different coloration, than that is a straight-up scam ripoff.

So guys — are these forums just BS-ing me here? Is it really a giant scam?
madavid0
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Unfortunately the OP just cannot seem to comprehend that it is not directly related to cost/value of components.
Sometimes it is and a collection of high $ items WILL result in stupendous SQ.
More often not it is a matter of system synergy which does not always follow any known cost form factor.
I have made many costly "upgrades" only to go backwards in SQ.
Did I scream scam at the top of my lungs?
No I regrouped and reevaluated my choices and went in a different direction.
Trial and error and much good advice on these forums have helped me achieve a semblance of sonic nirvana.
But I am content?
Heck no, that is not the way of the audiophile....lol.
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
""Whether", not "wether". Unless there's a change in the weather."
Thank you lewm!

"It's getting snowing in here."
Thank you chakster!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

luizfcoimbra's avatar
luizfcoimbra
25 posts
 
Dear OP,

Even though English is not my mother tongue, I do believe my couple previous posts were quite easily understandable. I'm with Raul on this: you're either unable or not willing to understand what people are telling you. I will completely disregard cart/tonearm/phono synergy and compatibility issues and give you the most honest answer that I can, having myself bought and/or experienced a variety of cartridges ranging from U$200,00 to U$10,000: YES, IT MAKES A LOT OF DIFFERENCE and the upgrades are not subtle, but rather like "I CANNOT live without this improvement". I wanted to believe that there's no difference between a thousand dollars cartridge and a four thousand dollars cartridge, but I know for a fact that the improvement is quite shocking and I learned that when I upgraded from a Dynavector Karat D3 to a Transfiguration Phoenix S. So much so that I couldn't stop there. It is not a scam and that setup you heard would have performed A LOT better with an analog front-end costing as much as the TAD speakers. 

Best,

Luiz
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
OP - your aggressive and absolute manner will not get you far on here. People have answered you: there is no definite answer. Much depends on compatibility of components, cables and room, not to mention tastes, expectations, budget...

That’s your answer. I hope you can hold that in your mind. It seems, though, that you need a simple answer, not a complex analysis. Which you will not find on this topic.. though I have a feeling you don’t really want an answer, you already have formed an opinion and feel the need to press it upon us with these threads.

(In case anyone has forgotten the topic, it was: does a more expensive cart sound better than a less expensive cart?)
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Exactly Todd, case in point:

(All carts set up on my table with MINT LP BEST PROTRACTOR and a digital VTF scale accurate to 3 significant figures.)

I have an Ortofon Black ~$600 and a $200 Nagaoka 150. Both are great sounding cartridges, I prefer the Nagoaka.

I have a vintage Shure V15-IV I $300 and the $200 Nagaoka. Both are great and I prefer the Shure.

I have in storage for a couple of years now a VPI Aries Black Knight/JMW 10.5 arm and a couple of Lyra Delos carts. I don’t recall what I paid for all of them new about ten years ago but let’s say ~$6500.

Does that rig sound good? Heck yeah.

Am I happier and have more fun with my dumpster dive Technics table and old fart Shures, Nagaokas, Grados, Ortofons, Stantons, Pickerings and ATs, some new, some vintage? Heck yeah.

It’s not always about $$$ and it’s NOT A SCAM!

I said I wouldn’t get sucked into this but I fell for it nonetheless.

Go figure.
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