@rauliruegas interesting point to suggest that some manufacturers reserve the use of a diamond cantilever for samples with the most stringently selected parts. In that case the diamond is 'the icing in the cake' and the extra charge not just for the higher cost of the diamond material, but also reflecting the value of the higher quality samples, which obviously translates to better performance.
I hope you are correct, but I have my doubts as there are huge differences in the way manufacturers offer the 'diamond option'. Ortofon charges around $1500 extra for the Anna Diamond (mostly reflecting the extra material cost), whereas Koetsu charges something like $4000. Call me cynical, but I can't shake the feeling that the market demand for 'trophies for the rich' has something to do with it as well. Perhaps snob appeal was also the reason these vintage diamond cantilever cartridges were produced, but somehow I doubt that. As you suggest, competition back than was probably more driven by performance than by marketing.
I hope you are correct, but I have my doubts as there are huge differences in the way manufacturers offer the 'diamond option'. Ortofon charges around $1500 extra for the Anna Diamond (mostly reflecting the extra material cost), whereas Koetsu charges something like $4000. Call me cynical, but I can't shake the feeling that the market demand for 'trophies for the rich' has something to do with it as well. Perhaps snob appeal was also the reason these vintage diamond cantilever cartridges were produced, but somehow I doubt that. As you suggest, competition back than was probably more driven by performance than by marketing.