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Why do better MC cartridges cost a fortune?

I mean $5k - $10k for a piece of what? I can understand $10k for a turntable but for a tonearm or cartridge?
They charge and we gladly pay? And you have to retip or replace it soon enough. Most of them come from Japan. They sure know how to do business, don't they?
inna
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Whart,
Halcro- have you compared say the Airtight (not even the Supreme, but the original PC-1) to the comparable Lyra (which at the time, was a Titan i, except for the "limited" production Olympus)?

I've had several Lyras including the Helikon, Titan i and Atlas and my friend Richard, had the Olympus for many years on his Caliburn/Cobra.
The Olympus was nice and the Helikon was listenable without the nervous high-frequency prominence and lack of body and soul that shrouded the others.
I have not had first-hand experience of the Airtights except at Audio Shows.
Is your proposition that a cheap MM is going to sound every bit as good as something in this realm?

No.....my proposition is that a great 'cheap' vintage MM cartridge sounds BETTER than most of the current high-end, high-priced MC cartridges. And as good as the very best vintage MCs I've heard.

I have a few 'current' MM cartridges (including the winner of the Fremer Shootout Audio-Technica 150ANV) and can say quite confidently, that they have generally lost the 'magic' of those MMs created in the Golden Age of analogue.
They can be good....just not great. 
The same story with MC cartridges in my experience....😢
whart's avatar
whart
3,052 posts
 
Halcro- name a few if you don't mind.
 When I get my vintage tabled system up and running, with a removable headshell arm, I have no reluctance in trying a variety of vintage MMs. It will also relieve me of the need for a step up. 
The Airtight was at one point likened to a London/Decca on steroids. I never had the guts to run a London/Decca, despite the raves about it from some owners. But vintage MM or MC- I'm good with as long as there is no damage to the records. Do you get them re-done by someone- or just try to buy ones that still have life?
thanks,
bill hart
inna OP
7,296 posts
 
analogueseduction.net in the UK appears to be a good place to buy cartridges, many cost less than here. I bought my cartridge there and talked to them before that. They also have some cartridges that I didn't see here, though they still may be sold here too. The Cartridge Man MI cartridges and EMT cartridges, for example. They can't ship Lyra to the US, though.
halcro's avatar
halcro
2,664 posts
 
Halcro- name a few if you don't mind. 

If you look at my Systems Pages Bill......you'll find quite a lot.
'The Final Cut' limits it to the six or seven 'BEST OF'.......
I've bought probably 40-50 vintage cartridges (of all types) over the last 10 years and had a problem perhaps only two or three times. Of course I've not liked all of those cartridges and have subsequently re-sold probably 10-20.
You can tell a lot these days about the condition of the cartridges shown in clear close-ups on the posted photos, and the Seller's history and descriptions are often comforting.
10 years ago, it was relatively easy to find the specific cartridge you wanted and the prices were lower than they now are (understandably)....
You need patience, knowledge and luck to find some of the greatest vintage ones with their original styli on (hopefully) beryllium cantilevers all in good condition....but it is still possible 😎

For those who want a 'guaranteed' taste of almost the 'greatest sound' with a MM cartridge.....I invariably advise the following:-
  • Buy a Victor Z1 MM cartridge on eBay (even without s stylus)
  • Buy a Jico SAS replacement stylus directly from Jico
  • Buy a Shure V15/III MM cartridge on eBay (or better still HiFiDo)
  • Buy a Jico SAS replacement stylus directly from Jico
Either cartridge complete with SAS stylus should cost no more than $400-$600.

Good luck in your quest Bill.

Regards
Henry

 

whart's avatar
whart
3,052 posts
 
many thanks Henry. I will copy this list for reference when I start playing around with the new/old rig. 
best,
bill hart
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