Cartridges: Complete Scam?

I agree with cd318....assuming that we are in agreement re what “low quality” means. For me, most low quality turntables have speed stability issues. Some very expensive turntables regarded by some as “high quality” also have speed stability issues. For me, that also puts them in the “low quality” category no matter how massive, and impressive looking they may be. No matter how good the cartridge or arm mounted on one of these turntables the resulting sound, for me, will be “low quality”.  Conversely, a humble cartridge on a decent arm mounted on a turntable that has very good pitch stability (“high quality”) will always outperform the other....in the performance areas that matter most to me. Solid pitch stability is the number one consideration in a turntable system. That is what has the greatest impact on the rhythm and expression in the music in the grooves; even more so than tracking ability...up to a point of course.

Dear @frogman : It's obvious the importance on TT speed stability but in my experience today decent TTs has that speed stability, not perfect but almost.

Even with " non so perfect " speed stability you can't recovery in any way what the cartridge can't pick-up and that's why is so important and critical the cartridge tracking abilities.
We can fix some kind of issues with the TT speed stability but we can't fix the inherent cartridge self tracking abilities.

In the analog alternative all parameters and audio items are truly important due that the alternative is so imperfect. So I agree that TT is important, no one is vs this true. What I'm pointing out is that inside the whole " parameters "  cartridge tracking abilities is crucial because the recorded information is " there " and only the cartridge can pick up.

So, a perfect analog rig must have: a perfect TT, a perfect cartridge, a perfect tonearm and a perfect phono stage with perfect IC cables in a perfect set up. Well these we can't " see " it not even in our dreams.

Btw, before rhythm we need to have " all " the recorded information, to this can happens we need that the cartridge stays matched to the tonearm with a rigth tonearm/cartridge/set up and after all these comes the critical issue of TT speed stability. As I said everything is important in the analog alternative. Obviously that if the TT does not spins we have nothing at all.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.

I have been in the market for a new cartridge for quite some time now. One thing that really annoys me is the huge mark-up the US reps assign to these products. For example, a MSL cartridge can be had in Japan ( country of origin) for slightly less than 40% of the retail price in the US...same is true for Lyra and others. So, can someone tell me why the shipping cost and customs etc., is adding that much to the product here in the US?? Plus, the dealers in Japan are making a profit as well...
One would think that the shipping price of a cartridge would be minimal at best ( we are not talking about a 500Lb speaker or 150Lb amp!) Yet the markup expected by the US reps is over the moon...IMHO.
Crazily, I guess they get it...from some....which is probably one of the reasons why I am still in the market! 

Technics, Pioneer, Denon, Victor, Micro Seiki made so many direct drive turntables, may of them are relatively cheap now (say $500), some of them are not high-end. The most popular is SL1200mk2 sold in a million copies with its stock $150 tonearm. Is that low quality? Speed stability is questionable? The better cartridge - the better the sound (especially if the arm is rewired) ! Does the bad cartridge sounds amazing on high-end Sp10mk2 with EPA-100 tonearm? Unfortunately not, it does not sounds better.

Again, i’m not sure what is "low quality" means to some of you, maybe cheap belt drive with speed stability issues that you can actually hear, but comparing one direct drive to another direct drive is another story.

The best combination is a great cartridge on the great tonearm/turntable, but in case with those classic and relatively cheap DD drives i would always upgrade the cartridge first.

The average cartridges never impressed me on the reference turntable in my system, i believe SP10mk2 or Lux PD444 have pretty good speed stability and Reed 3p is a true reference tonearm. But it is so easy to hear how weak is the cartridge if it’s not a top quality cartridge. I justs don't understand how a bad cartridge can reproduce music as good as the great cartridge?  It's noncence! 

@rauliruegas

Even with " non so perfect " speed stability you can’t recovery in any way what the cartridge can’t pick-up and that’s why is so important and critical the cartridge tracking abilities.
We can fix some kind of issues with the TT speed stability but we can’t fix the inherent cartridge self tracking abilities.

There are so many people who loves the SPU cartridges with it’s low tracking ability, low compliance and extremely high tracking force.

On the other hand we have those who prefer high compliance cartridges on lightweight tonearms, those cartridges are great trackers.

But since we’re not listening Telarc 812, the tracking abilities of the SPU is enough for many audiophiles. And if it’s not misstracking on normal records with normal music then it’s ok. For many analog lovers the theory and reality is not the same, what about those idler drives compared to direct drive etc ? Tube vs. transistors ... and so on.

The best way is just to listen to the music and fidn what you like personally (in reality) not on the paper with all the specs.

P.S. I have those high compliance cartridges, but i also have an SPU Royal G MK II with Ortofon Replican 100 stylus (the only spu with reduced tracking force). On the same turntable i have Ortofon MC2000 high compliacne MC right now. In theory the MC 2000 must be better, but the sound of that SPU with Replican 100 is amazingly good. What can i do? It’s my personal impression, but this impression is more important for me than anything else on the paper. And for each of us, i believe.