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
perazzi28's avatar
perazzi28
234 posts
 
Since you are cartridge shopping only, I must assume that you are very pleased with your tonearm and turntable.  That being said...don't distress over Stereophile ratings.  Everything in your analog audio chain must be optimized which is no small feat.  Revisiting this may pay huge dividends.
Inherent weaknesses in turntables performance can kill anything that follows.  Same for tonearms.  Not saying that this is your issue but it's worth a critical evaluation. 
I am constantly amazed at what people spin there wonderful vinyl on. 
Back to the heart of the matter....Ortofon can't be dismissed nor Charisma.  My current Ortofon is pretty magnificent.  Van den Hul can be superb but cartridge to cartridge variations due exist.
Happy hunting.
slaw's avatar
slaw
21,780 posts
 
Any recommendations for online dealer/best price on an ART-9? Thanks.
arkanya
11 posts
 
NEEDLEDOCTOR.COM 

lewm
13,169 posts
 
So I guess this discussion has pretty much fizzled out, if it all comes down to "Needle Doctor".  Almost none of the putative
"best" cartridges that I have never heard were even mentioned here.  However, a collection of subjective judgements such as this does have its limitations.  Safe to conclude that the Stereophile ratings system should not be taken as gospel or all inclusive, by any means.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,861 posts
 
I find that the ability of the arm to get the cartridge to track correctly trumps what cartridge you have- so much so that a very inexpensive cartridge will sound very much like a really pricey one **if** the arm is really able to track both of them properly (and details such as loading are given proper attention).

After having a manufacturer mentioned here not stand behind what was clearly a defect in the cantilever of his $8000 cartridge (which resulted in the otherwise undamaged cantilever loosing the stylus),  I have been rethinking the whole cartridge thing of late.

I do find that I am partial to Micro Benz- we have one here in the shop turntable that has stood the test of time quite well- its easy to set up in a lot of arms and while it must be about 15 years old at this point, has been played a lot and yet the cantilever suspension is still good!
More to discover