Hear my Cartridges....🎶

Still following with interest. I'm trying to find time to listen on my digital rig. Will try for tonight. @halcro I have not forgot the headshell issue 😉

I would love to hear your system, Halcro; and have no doubt that it sounds fantastic.  If I am ever in your neck of the woods I’ll be sure to let you know.
The issue of “superiority” is a tricky one, imo.  For me, the respective sounds of, in this case, two truly excellent components get to a point when “superiority” is determined by superiority in specific areas that are sonic priorities; even when the other component does better in areas which are not sonic priorities.  I wrote:

**** Sound staging excellence takes a back seat for me no matter how impressive or fun it may be with another cartridge. ****

You wrote:

**** The sheer size, height and depth of the image created.
The pinpoint imaging.
The transparency.
The shimmering highs and realistic lows. ****

As you have stated, or suggested, several times previously and as the above comment seems to prioritize, sound staging is extremely important for you.  Less so for me.  I am sure that we can agree that the soundstaging with the Decca is at least very good.  I think we can then take those considerations off the table for the sake of this discussion.  Tonal considerations then become what determines for me which is “superior”.  Based on this and previous comparisons I would say that you prefer a sound with a lower midrange/upper bass range that is a little more prominent than would be my preference.  Nothing wrong with that at all.  I feel that even a little too much prominence in that range, and especially if not well integrated and tonally consistent with the midrange obscures midrange nuance which is the most important aspect of sound for me.  This is the reason that I continue to suffer the bass inadequacies of my beloved Stax F81’s.  I have not heard a more tonally truthful midrange.  
The sound with the Decca pushes some of the same buttons for me.  There is something simply tonally correct about its sound in the context of your system as heard this way.  Perhaps “in situ” it would be different, but my priorities would still be the same.  If you ever tire of the Decca, feel free to send it to me; I think Dover already has dibs on the Sony ☺️.  What an amazing collection of cartridges you have.  Congrats!  
I’ll give the Strauss a listen shortly.  One of my very favorite composers and certainly not under appreciated in my book.

Best wishes.

Since finding my 'Holy Grail' of cartridges (SONY XL-88D)....I wondered whether or not I would be able to listen to all the other cartridges I have collected and culled over the last 12 years...👂
As I intimated in my last Post....the MOST important link in the analogue chain, is the quality of the recording, mastering, engineering and pressing of the actual disc.
After discovering the superlative quality of the series of recordings of the Complete Works of Richard Strauss with Rudolf Kempe conducting the Dresden State Orchestra in 1973 released by EMI and HMV in 1974....I bought every record I could find on Discogs for pittances.
I'm done with purchasing new re-releases offered for $30-60 with warps, surface noice, clicks and pops and inferior sound to the original releases 😡
Whatever you can hear on this video, is nothing compared to the quality filling my room.
Dynamic performances of massed orchestras in full flight are the hardest to both record and playback with the realism of the 'live' event.
That's why you rarely hear any exhibitor at a HiFi Show attempt it...
These recordings (by VEB Deutsche Schallplatten Berlin DDR) come closer than almost any I have heard.

Although the music of Richard Strauss is not to everyone's taste....if you couldn't be happy with the sound from these recordings played with a vintage MM Cartridge....I think you may be too fussy 🤗

RICHARD STRAUSS 

Good find, Halcro. Kempe was surely one of the great Strauss conductors. You should also try his way with Wagner and Brahms. And HMV did some historic recordings behind the iron curtain in the 70's. Another high point was Karajan's Meistersinger, also with the Dresden orchestra.

For me, Strauss' greatest instrumental piece is Don Quichote, a Cello Concerto in all but name. Paul Tortelier as soloist on the Dresden set is fantastic, but Kempe's recording with Pierre Fournier more than a decade earlier with the Berlin Philharmonic (also on HMV) is perhaps even better. Both performances by these great cellists are masterly - but very different - studies into the Don's complex character. The tenderness, the melancholy, the lunacy. Marvelous stuff!

Great comments, edgewear.  I share you appreciation of Strauss’ “Don Quixote”.  Fantastic work.  Tone poem which, as you say, is practically a cello concerto; although the role of the viola (Sancho Panza) in this work is not to be underestimated.  One of many examples of Strauss’ genius.  Hard for me to name a best Strauss composition since there are so many great ones.  I would also point to “An Alpine Symphony”, “Till Eulenspiegels”, “Ein Heldenleben” as particularly good examples of his orchestration genius,  And, of course, his operas; for me, “Elektra” in particular.  

Halcro, being a fan of Decca recordings, if you don’t own it, the Decca “Elektra” with Solti/Vienna is fantastic and available as a reissue from Speakers Corner.  Hair raising music.  I am also particularly fond of his “Four Last Songs”.  Schwarzkopf’s recording on EMI is fantastic.  If forced to pick a favorite Strauss work, this might be it.  
Regards.