2. analog
  3. 123231-19823

Class "A" phono cartridge discussion.

I would like to have a discussion about what cartridges are class A. Stereophile has their list but I can't help thinking there is probably a lot left out.

Last year I traded my Delos for a used EMT TSD15 because the TSD 15 was listed as class A in Stereophile. I love the TSD 15. It is the best cartridge I have heard. But I will probably have to re tip it soon. $1250 for a re tip is expensive but I will be able to do it when I have to. Moving to anything else from here is just too cost prohibitive. Three to ten thousand for a class A cartridge is just probably not going to happen. Although Miyajima sounds enticing to me. Maybe some day. The funny thing about the TSD 15 is it has been around for decades and I'd never really heard much about it until recently.

 I'm curious if there are other classic cartridges that are class A that can be had for less than the upper echelon price? Maybe we can start a list.

The funny thing about the Stereophile list is that you have to go to a $7000 Lyra, $4800 Sound smith for Class A in those brands. There are currently no ZYX, no Dynavectors and no Shelters on the list despite being popular brands.

I do have a ZYX Yatra and had a Delos. The TSD 15 is better than both. 
siranthony
siranthony OP
16 posts
 
Also the only Clearaudio is the Goldfinger for $15000.
bpoletti
1,553 posts
 
Forget Stereophile's list.  It is subject to the biases of the reviewers, equipment interaction, their latest medical condition(s), what they had for dinner, the last "conversation" with their boss and how much wine they had during the listening session(s). 

And the most important factor, their personal relationship with the manufacturer / distributor.

Yes, there are truly excellent cartridges on the list, but how many are bettered by cartridges not on the list and how many are ignored for personal reasons?

siranthony OP
16 posts
 
Yes... Go on... Care to name a few not on the list? I do now there is another list on the net. But that is another biased list IMO. So much left out. 
bpoletti
1,553 posts
 
My bias slants toward AT ART9.  But even though it betters most on the "A" list, it won't get there because it is too inexpensive.

The Goldfinger does NOT belong on the list. 
lewm
13,048 posts
 
Siranthony, Do you wish to restrict this discussion to cartridges that can be purchased new and are still being produced? I still remember vividly the first time I heard a ZYX UNIverse mounted in a Durand Talea tonearm (version 1.0 of both products).  Both were new to me, but the system in which they were working was not.  I had never heard that system sound as uncannily good as it did that day.  The owner has since moved on to the more expensive Talea Telos now sporting a Benz LPS.  To my ears, the sound is not as good. It's "meh".

FWIW, I know a few guys who have heard both the ART9 and the ART7 and prefer the latter.  Output of the 7 is very low, however, and I admit this is hearsay evidence.  And the TSD15 is apparently very very good, as you suggest. In fact, I am thinking about the TSD15 for myself.
More to discover