How to Sample Cartridges in My Own System?


I currently have a Clearaudio Maestro II. I want to add an MC cartridge and my budget is about $6k. Is there a way to audition cartridges in my own system?

thecobleco.com provides a service to allow customers to try out different cables in your own system. But how does one sample and compare different cartridges? Listening in a dealer's room and system tells me little about how the cartridge will sound in my system.

What if I want to hear how a London Reference or Benz Micro LP-S sound? Two very different cartridge, I know, but at the price of these there should be a way to try them out before committing.
ifanpayne
I’m buyin’ them used (but not 6k units), but i’m pretty strict with the grading when i’m looking for used cartridges, actually never had a problems with used, but once i had a problem with brand new cartridge! The only way to decide which cartridge is really good in my system is to try it in my system on my tonearms. I think it’s great experience, but the desire to try many cartridges is dangerous for the pocket, so i have to sell some cartridges to try more different carts. I think it’s a part of the hobby.
Having a subscription to a couple hard copy magazines (they are cheap) is a good way of seeing what a lot of brands are doing plus there are the reviews which I take with a big grain of salt. Also, If you see something well reviewed and talked about with high praise from several different sources it is wise to check it out.