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How to choose a cartridge you can't hear on your system?

My personal cartridge history has gone from a humble Goldring to a decent Benz H2 and finally a Dynavector XV-1s.  Recently my 3 year old decided to break the needle on both my Dynavector and Benz (two arm setup).  This tragedy prompted a me to send my Dynavector out for re-tipping and the purchase of a new cartridge to sustain me through the expected rebuild period.  I bought a decent Sumiko Evo III.  

All of this is to come around to a realization.  In many ways, each cartridge brings something new to the table.  The Evo II had more solidity or weight to the sonic presentation than the others.  The Benz had a seductive warmth and the Dynavector a detailed nuance I most enjoyed.  I don't think it is possible to know ahead of hearing a cartridge in ones own system which brands house sound one prefers.  

I find cartridges to be the hardest audio component to buy.  How do you choose?  
chadlesko
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
When I wrote my comment I did know that this will include myself. This is normal, I am not Jesus.
The best investment you can do, is to educate yourself. It is not easy, it will need some time but after a while you can rate something. To know what is responsible for what  is mandatory for a superior result (superior has nothing to do with a high price tag, it has more to do with "done right"). It is better than rolling a dice, isn’t it?

inna
7,830 posts
 
Jesus was human or so they say, just like us.
nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 

Syntax is probably not Jesus but certainly the nearest person

possible:  the pope for the analog believers. His best friend

Dertonarm  left alas the forum otherwise Syntax would be (only)

the cardinal.

BTW I seem to be the only one who post all his second hand

carts for check to Axel. There are obviously many persons in

this forum who never got this idea. Cost me 40 euro.

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