Is There An "Absolute" Best Cartridge?

Hi Nandric,

The Critiques, particularly in the ultimate Critique of Judgement (1790) is a far more aporetic contemplation than the modern reading that you highlight suggests. This is hardly the place to discuss this but (Frege, Russell and related mathematical thinkers not withstanding) the review of thinking that he undertakes there exceeds some of the issues that we are touching upon within the questions of "the best". I find a friend's work to be a fairly useful in-road to a rewarding reconsideration: 'A Kant Dictionary', Howard Caygill (Blackwell, 1995). As I said, what emerges is the very real complexity that besets this debate unless limitations to the discourse and claims are established. Maybe a clear announcement of what we mean by "best" would therefore be helpful in our context.

Concerning Raul as a person, I don't really think our personal opinions of him should interfere. I own the Technics and in fact share his views about its performance. However, I limit my claim to "the best I have ever heard": at once declaring my limitations (subject to time and space as they are) and leaving open the possibility that it is the best there ever was!

Hi Dgob, the "best I ever heard" is a sensible and wise statement. No man with a real understanding in audio or other complex areas of life would ever use this term without the later 3 words.
I too know the Technics P100c/4 from former ownership. It is good. It may sound to some as the pinnacle of the art of cartridge, but there are cartridges out there showing more what's in the groove.
After 32 years in high-end (and many of them at what some would call the cutting edge of development), I have seen coming and going about 100+ audio components which were named one way or another "the best" by various people - professionals and customers alike.
They came - and they vanished again.
Some left memories worth remembering.
Most didn't.
Only a handful stood the test of time and the change of taste and favor.
The chief Sommelier from Mexico surely does polarize by his statement and the way he claims the status.
But this too will vanish again in the mist of time passing.

Dear Dertonarm: +++++ " t may sound to some as the pinnacle of the art of cartridge, but there are cartridges out there showing more what's in the groove. " +++++

I agree, more distortions and I mean it.

If you want to talk or share your today EPC-P100C MK4 experiences against those other " cartridges " you are welcome to do it.

+++++ " They came - and they vanished again. " +++++

certainly the EPC-P100C MK4 ( I hope ) in a near future will hand over/decline in favor of the next " the best " cartridge, I hope too this cartridge can be a " today " one and not a vintage one.

Dear Dertonarm, please " listen and listen well ": " the best " status is here to stay, remember this in the years to come.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dgob,
Thanks. I learned a new word today! (I did not know 'Aporia' had an adjective). While it may not be the place to discuss it, we are still stuck with lack of agreement on what "the best" is and whether it indeed exists (or whether, if it exists, it is by definition unattainable). I expect that people may enjoy the same cartridge and respect others' enjoyment without agreeing on the philosophy behind the words they use to describe it... Personally, I expect the carts themselves don't care much, and the cart designers are much more circumspect.

Dear Raul, I always listen well - that's why I am so careful with my statements. That I do not value the EPC-P100c/4 as high as you do may simply have to do with different biases and different preferences in taste (here we go again - individuality...).
To me the EPC-P100c/4 does smooth out the sound - as many good MMs and MIs do.
It (and 99.99% of all other cartridges) lacks the physical presence I am accustomed to get from reel-to-reel machines and I know I can get from a cartridge too.
But I never heard it from any MM or MI.
Much to my regret, as the higher output of both principles means a great relief for any phono stage.
However - wishful thinking doesn't help on the track.
The EPC-P100c/4 did not stand the test of time.
Even if recently re-discovered by yourself - and your great enthusiasm to promote its status ( which I do respect - don't get me wrong !!! ) will certainly put it to the attention of some followers of fashion here on A'gon.
It was widely forgotten in the past 2.5 decades.
As were a lot of other great (but none the "best"...) cartridges which would easily hold their place against any top-flight pick-up on the new market today.
In my point of view the one thing we all can learn from "cartridge discoveries" like yours and mine (which will stay anonymous....... some may think they know what I am referring to, but they are all wrong...;-)....) is that the wheel is e-invented over and over again.
There is nothing really new in cartridge design today, which wasn't there in 1980.
We have certain ideas in body construction, shape and composition and a lot of new phrases for old facts.