Cartridges: Complete Scam?

Dear Raul,

Again, more dancing around the issue; or, to be generous, misunderstanding.  What we are talking about has absolutely nothing to do with the “losted accuracy” of frequency response in the hearing of SOME musicians.  This has nothing to do with timing issues.  The relevance of this “cliche” is as much truth as the idea that musicians don’t care about audio. 

**** To aisle a problem of TT speed stability must be do it in a " scientific " way through measures in the short and long intervals of time or can be identified when that unstability is a gross one. ****

Once again, you are putting all your stock in the measurements.  I know what my ears tell me.  You think that I am deluding myself.  That’s fine, but I would respectfully suggest that when it comes to how audio relates to music and it’s many layers of nuance that you don’t seem to be digging deep enough.  

Happy Holidays to all!

Dear @frogman : What I said about professional musicians was not in reference to timing subject. Was only a fact that I found out, nothing more than that.

The whole comparison between audio and live music is a " sea " of diferent characteristics  and that's why, even that live music is my reference, I say that we audiophiles will enjoy better the listening experiences in our room/system as nearer that system is to the recording.

I think that exist one advantage on what the recording microphones pick up during process and that is " detail " due that good microphones have a very wide frequency range and " support " high SPL. In these regards the mics. could be better than our ears but even here is very complicated to have precise conclusions.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Dear @chakster : Very informative video, thank's.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

Every jump in price level I have made cartridge wise has seen a significant improvement in all musical factors, at each change.  people are just  blowing smoke, or can't hear for beans, or don't know how to listen.  Same for amps; some say amps don't matter, they do.  One day I substituted  in an  NAD amp for a Parasound  A-23, and had noticeable bass smearing.  One day listening to Eric Clapton, I could tell highs were wrong.  Can't explain how I came to conclusion it was speaker cables, but I did.  Went from 4PR to 8TC, and the highs were there.  Similar experience with inter connects.  To get SS to match sound of tubes will costs you at least 5 times as much.  Those who want SS amp with tube pre are losing out unless it's an expensive SS amp.  Wont say there isn't some snake oil out there, cause there is, but not on your opening issue.

Raymonda from months ago.  I own a Benz Ruby 3 since 2006 ($3000).  It is mounted on a what once sold for $1100 arm, the SME IV (modified).  It last sold for about $4,000 a few years ago.  So, I had a 30 year old arm with a 12 year old cartridge on a VPI TNT VI.   
I consider this less than SOTA but high-end.  The reason I am still using the cartridge after 2500+ hours is cleanliness (stylus cleaned with a Magic Eraser every record side), mostly clean LPs, proper VTF and VTA (set-up).  I will continue to use this expensive cartridge until it does show signs of wear (maybe another 500+ hours).  The point is that expensive cartridges can last a long time and provide so many hours of enjoyment that the annual cost is greatly reduced and I don't feel the need to "upgrade" from here.  Plus, the initial cost of a high quality arm in the 80s became inflated as everyone noted.  

Also, the lack of smog in the past 15 years in the NW San Fernando Valley (previously the smog capital of the country was L.A.) does not destroy the rubber parts of the cartridge like it did in the 60's to the 80's when my expensive Dynavector's died after 3 short years (stylus was fine, the cantilevers froze from hardened rubber mounting).