Halcro certainly doesn't need me in his defense, but this was not the point of his investigation if I understand him correctly. Of course comparing cartridges through such limited digital playback method is not representative of their sound under ideal circumstances, but it does make very clear that there is no generic quality difference between vintage and modern systems.
This has also been my experience and I believe it is something chakster agrees with as well. But of course the caveat will always be system synergy, without which even the best and most ludicrously priced cartridges will likely disappoint.
So to add to your study here are some more suggestions: Dynavector Karat Nova 13D, Victor MC-L1000, Ikeda 9 Rex, Sony XL-88D, Audiocraft AC-03 (currently MY Sonic Lab), Ortofon MC-5000/7500 and Miyabi Standard (or Mark Levinson MLC-1 and Krell KC-100/200 equivalents). These are all top level systems from the 20th century that can still be found - with a little perserverence and/or luck - for $2000 or less.
I have compared these carts in my own system against my long time reference, Van den Hul Colibri XPW African Blackwood Grenadille. This is one of those Uber cartridges, being the former top model with platinum coils that retailed for $8k, years before the introduction of the current Stradivarius Signature model.
They all sound terrific and on the same high level, just with different flavours. Finding the right one(s) and making some discoveries along the way has been a fascinating journey for me. If this sounds interesting to you, you're in for quite a ride. Have fun!
This has also been my experience and I believe it is something chakster agrees with as well. But of course the caveat will always be system synergy, without which even the best and most ludicrously priced cartridges will likely disappoint.
So to add to your study here are some more suggestions: Dynavector Karat Nova 13D, Victor MC-L1000, Ikeda 9 Rex, Sony XL-88D, Audiocraft AC-03 (currently MY Sonic Lab), Ortofon MC-5000/7500 and Miyabi Standard (or Mark Levinson MLC-1 and Krell KC-100/200 equivalents). These are all top level systems from the 20th century that can still be found - with a little perserverence and/or luck - for $2000 or less.
I have compared these carts in my own system against my long time reference, Van den Hul Colibri XPW African Blackwood Grenadille. This is one of those Uber cartridges, being the former top model with platinum coils that retailed for $8k, years before the introduction of the current Stradivarius Signature model.
They all sound terrific and on the same high level, just with different flavours. Finding the right one(s) and making some discoveries along the way has been a fascinating journey for me. If this sounds interesting to you, you're in for quite a ride. Have fun!