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Cartridges: Complete Scam?

I’m very new to analog, and researching my options on forums I keep coming across the same sentiment: that past the ultra low-end cartridges, there is very little gains in actual sound quality and that all you’re getting are different styles and colorations to the sound.

So, for example, if I swapped out my $200 cartridge that came with my table for a Soundsmith, Dynavector, Oracle, etc, I may notice a small improvement in detail and dynamics, but I’m mostly just going to get a different flavor. Multiple people told me they perffered thier old vintage cartridges over modern laser-cut boron-necked diamonds.

It’s possible that these people are just desperately defending thier old junk and/or have never heard high end audio. But if what they’re saying is true, than the cartridge industry is a giant SCAM. If I blow 2.5k minimum on an Air Tight I better get a significant improvement over a $200 bundler — and if just all amounts to a different coloration, than that is a straight-up scam ripoff.

So guys — are these forums just BS-ing me here? Is it really a giant scam?
madavid0
toddverrone's avatar
toddverrone
840 posts
 
OP - your aggressive and absolute manner will not get you far on here. People have answered you: there is no definite answer. Much depends on compatibility of components, cables and room, not to mention tastes, expectations, budget...

That’s your answer. I hope you can hold that in your mind. It seems, though, that you need a simple answer, not a complex analysis. Which you will not find on this topic.. though I have a feeling you don’t really want an answer, you already have formed an opinion and feel the need to press it upon us with these threads.

(In case anyone has forgotten the topic, it was: does a more expensive cart sound better than a less expensive cart?)
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
Exactly Todd, case in point:

(All carts set up on my table with MINT LP BEST PROTRACTOR and a digital VTF scale accurate to 3 significant figures.)

I have an Ortofon Black ~$600 and a $200 Nagaoka 150. Both are great sounding cartridges, I prefer the Nagoaka.

I have a vintage Shure V15-IV I $300 and the $200 Nagaoka. Both are great and I prefer the Shure.

I have in storage for a couple of years now a VPI Aries Black Knight/JMW 10.5 arm and a couple of Lyra Delos carts. I don’t recall what I paid for all of them new about ten years ago but let’s say ~$6500.

Does that rig sound good? Heck yeah.

Am I happier and have more fun with my dumpster dive Technics table and old fart Shures, Nagaokas, Grados, Ortofons, Stantons, Pickerings and ATs, some new, some vintage? Heck yeah.

It’s not always about $$$ and it’s NOT A SCAM!

I said I wouldn’t get sucked into this but I fell for it nonetheless.

Go figure.
tketcham
291 posts
 

Hi, madavid0,

You don't happen to hang out at the HydrogenAudio forums do you?

Regards,

Tom

geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Ouch! Very ouch!
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