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
Dear @chakster : """  Most of the professional musicians does not have a perfect pitch!  """

Could be but I don't know for sure. What I found out with some professional musicians ( some friends of mine, including a Symphonic Director. ) is that over years their ears losted accuracy and the frequency range goes more and more limited/reduced. The main issue is not because they are older gentlemans but because oever the years they are exposed to extremely high SPL for continuous time.

"""  But  i believe we cannot hear when 33.333 rpm spins at 33.332 rpm. """

As you I think is almost imposible to do it. Our brain perceives that tiny unstability but what we listen in that TT condition the brain can't be sure if it's by speed unstability  or for other room/system characteristic.

Dear @frogman : """  is sometimes identified by audiophiles by some turntables being perceived as “livelier” than others. ........................................................... it is one of the things that causes preference of one turntable over the other depending on individual sensitivity to these problems. """

I think no one can be sure on what you said because there are to many parameters invloved down there. An analog rig is not only the TT and that " livelier " or " preference " can comes to from: cartridge, tonearm, IC cables, phono stage, that LP recording process because the speed unstability can comes from there and not from the TT it self, analog rig set up, etc, etc,
To aisle a problem of TT speed stability must be do it in a " scientific " way through measures in the short and long intervals of time or can be identified when that unstability is a gross one.
The other subject is that we have to take our time to be trained in our room/system to identify that critical " timing ". Not an easy task.


Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.




Dear Raul,

Again, more dancing around the issue; or, to be generous, misunderstanding.  What we are talking about has absolutely nothing to do with the “losted accuracy” of frequency response in the hearing of SOME musicians.  This has nothing to do with timing issues.  The relevance of this “cliche” is as much truth as the idea that musicians don’t care about audio. 

**** To aisle a problem of TT speed stability must be do it in a " scientific " way through measures in the short and long intervals of time or can be identified when that unstability is a gross one. ****

Once again, you are putting all your stock in the measurements.  I know what my ears tell me.  You think that I am deluding myself.  That’s fine, but I would respectfully suggest that when it comes to how audio relates to music and it’s many layers of nuance that you don’t seem to be digging deep enough.  

Happy Holidays to all!
Dear @frogman : What I said about professional musicians was not in reference to timing subject. Was only a fact that I found out, nothing more than that.

The whole comparison between audio and live music is a " sea " of diferent characteristics  and that's why, even that live music is my reference, I say that we audiophiles will enjoy better the listening experiences in our room/system as nearer that system is to the recording.

I think that exist one advantage on what the recording microphones pick up during process and that is " detail " due that good microphones have a very wide frequency range and " support " high SPL. In these regards the mics. could be better than our ears but even here is very complicated to have precise conclusions.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.


Dear @chakster : Very informative video, thank's.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
Every jump in price level I have made cartridge wise has seen a significant improvement in all musical factors, at each change.  people are just  blowing smoke, or can't hear for beans, or don't know how to listen.  Same for amps; some say amps don't matter, they do.  One day I substituted  in an  NAD amp for a Parasound  A-23, and had noticeable bass smearing.  One day listening to Eric Clapton, I could tell highs were wrong.  Can't explain how I came to conclusion it was speaker cables, but I did.  Went from 4PR to 8TC, and the highs were there.  Similar experience with inter connects.  To get SS to match sound of tubes will costs you at least 5 times as much.  Those who want SS amp with tube pre are losing out unless it's an expensive SS amp.  Wont say there isn't some snake oil out there, cause there is, but not on your opening issue.