Grading phono cartridges Part 2.

Grading phono cartridges

This is my second posting on this subject. The initial posting was done in 2014. I was asked to put updates, and changes.

As before I remind to all respected Audiophiles- It is my personal guidance in buying and selling cartridges. I do 30-100 transactions every month and I need these numbers handy.

Before you look at the list I have to tell, that I’m not putting it for public use to be involved in any discussion or answer any questions. I’m also not affiliated with any of the brand or model on the list (even I have done some grading and testing for few analog brands and audio dealers around the world). I'm happy if my observations and experience help you in any way. Also I always answer all questions related to my listings and try to fulfill requests on some rare models. I'm proudly inform all my customers that I'm involved in production o ViRa tonearms. Please visit my site virahighend.com for more information and some rare cartridges as well.

All general grading philosophy rules are copied from my previous posting.

1. The testing was done on High End set up worse around $100K
2. The results are from the last 9 years
3. Most of the cartridge evaluations were done on uni-pivot or bi-axis arms. Only about 20% are from tangential and air tangent arms.
4. Most of the cartridges were tested on 2 or 3 arms (except really low end)
5. The ratio of used and new cartridges approximately 85% used and 15% new- therefore some cartridges could be not working up to specs 100%
6. I have few re-build and re-tipped cartridges on the list and sometimes they sounded better then original, sometimes they sounded worth.
7. There are many cartridges that have better sonic value, but lower position over all. Some cartridge have great appearance, mounting and re-sale value, but sound mediocre. If cartridges have same grading points I try to put higher on the list cartridges with better sonic value and cheaper original sale price.

////////////////////

The grading philosophy.

For the simplicity I have 10 grading categories. Each categories worth 10 points. There are 3 technical categories and 7 sonic categories. The best and maximum score could be 100 point.

The 3 technical categories are:
1. Appearance/ Packaging
Packaging and appearance are very important for re-sale value.

2. Mounting and aligning
75% of cartridge damage occur at the mounting and aligning process. Scary but fact. We are not talking about catastrophic damage, but also scratches, dings etc. Therefore threaded multiple holes on square angled body would get 10point compare to a round body or other type of mounting holes/hooks. I love Miyabi or Mark Levinson MLC cartridges, but it's almost impossible to mount and align these visually.

3. Resale value
35 years old $230 Grace F-9 Ruby and 5 years old $5000 Linn Arkiv have the same "street" re-sale value.

30 points max for technical grading.

/////////////////

The 7 sonic categories are:

1. Low frequency
2. Mid frequency
3. High frequency
4. Soundstage with and depth
5. Background noise
6. Dynamics
7. Overall presentation and impression

Everything is simple and clear. Cartridge overall is the first link and lost or mis-represented information from the record would never be restored no matter how much $$$ you will invest in the other links of your system.

To summarize all these:

The numbers on the left represent current ranking.

The 3 numbers on the right are technical grading (30 max), sonic grading (70 max) and overall score(100 max)

BRAND MODEL TYPE TECH SONIC GRADE

Symphonic Line RG-8L VDH MC 29 70 99
ZYX Omega 4D G SB MC 29 69 98
ZYX Omega 4D X SB MC 29 69 98
Haniwa HCTR01 MC 28 69 97
Shun Mook Reference 2 MC 29 68 97
Aidas Panzerholz MC 27 69 96
Megasonics (Win labs) MC-10 MC 27 69 96
Charisma MC-2 MC 28 68 96
EMT-Barco HSD-6 MC 28 68 96
Kiseki Blue Gold Spot MC 28 68 96
Krell/Miyabi KC-200 MC 28 68 96
EMT HSD -5 MC 28 68 96
Kiseki Blue Silver Spot MC 28 68 96
MFSL Miyabi carbon MC 28 68 96
Shinon Red Boron (retip) MC 28 68 96
Transfiguration Temper Supreme MC 28 68 96
Transfiguration Orpheus MC 28 68 96
J.Allaerts MC-1 Boron MC 28 68 96
J.Allaerts MC1 B MKII (retip) MC 28 68 96
ZYX Universe S MC 28 68 96
ZYX Universe XS MC 28 68 96
Koetsu Urushi Gold SS retip MC 27 68 95
Koetsu Onyx Platinum Signature Diamond MC 27 68 95
Blue Electric Shake Streamliner MI 27 68 95
Van Den Hul Black Beauty XSP MC 27 68 95
Myajima Shilabe MC 27 68 95
Benz Micro RUBY Z MC 27 68 95
Benz Micro Ruby 2 MC 27 68 95
Benz Micro Ruby 3 MC 27 68 95
Bluenote Baldinotti Signature SS retip MC 27 68 95
Sound Smith Voice MI 27 68 95
Miyabi Cello MC 27 68 95
Accuphase MC-2 MC 27 68 95
Brinkman Pi MC 27 68 95
Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua MC 28 67 95
Miyabi/47 lab 4723 (bar base) MC 28 67 95
Aidas BlackSound Diamond MC 28 67 95
Aidas Purpleheart diamond MC 28 67 95
Aidas Purpleheart ruby MC 28 67 95
Goldbug Mrs. Brier MC 28 67 95
Shelter 9000 MC 28 67 95
Dynavector DRT XV-1 MC 28 67 95
Dynavector DRT XV-1S MC 28 67 95
Dynavector DRT XV-1T MC 28 67 95
AKG P-100E MI 28 67 95
EMT Brinkman MC 28 67 95
Transfiguration Esprit MC 28 67 95
Transfiguration Spirit MC 28 67 95
Transfiguration Phoenix MC 28 67 95
ZYX Yatra MC 28 67 95
Thorens MCT-88 MC 26 68 94
ADC TRX-3 MM 26 68 94
Linn Akiva MC 26 68 94
Ortofon MC-25FL MC 27 67 94
Monster Cable Genesis 2000 MC 27 67 94
Dr. Jazz Blue Note MC 27 67 94
Benz Micro RUBY MC 27 67 94
Garrott Brothers P-87 MC 27 67 94
Van den Hul White Beauty MC 27 67 94
Madrigal Carnegie-2 MC 27 67 94
Aidas Red Heart Indian MC 27 67 94
Aidas Red Heart Gabon MC 27 67 94
EMT TU-3 MC 27 67 94
Cardas Silver Heart Myrtle MC 27 67 94
Koetsu Black MC 27 67 94
Koetsu Black Goldline MC 27 67 94
Koetsu Onyx MC 27 67 94
Koetsu Onyx long body MC 27 67 94
ADC Astrion MM 28 66 94
Shinon Red MC 28 66 94
Tsurugi Ceraloy MC 28 66 94
Ikeda 9-CV/9-EM MC 28 66 94
Sumiko Virtuoso Dti MC 29 65 94
Sumiko Black Bird MC 29 65 94
ADC TRX-1 MM 25 68 93
ADC TRX-2 MM 25 68 93
Korvet GZM 008 MM 26 67 93
Denon S-1 MC 26 67 93
Miyabi/47 lab 4723 (round base) MC 26 67 93
Sony XL-55 MC 26 67 93
Denon DL-107 MM 26 67 93
Mark Levinson MLC-1 MC 27 66 93
Benz Micro REF MC 27 66 93
Shelter 7000 MC 27 66 93
EMT XSD-15 VDHul MC 27 66 93
Aidas BlackSound ruby MC 27 66 93
Charisma Ref One MC 27 66 93
Lyra Argo MC 27 66 93
Rega Apheta MC 27 66 93
Grace F-9R (Ruby) MM 27 66 93
Technics EPC- 100C MKII MM 27 66 93
Accuphase AC-1 MC 27 66 93
Van Den Hul Black Beauty S/S retip MC 27 66 93
Air Tight PC-1 MC 27 66 93
Audio Note IO I MC 27 66 93
ZYX R100 H MC 27 66 93
ZYX R1000 MC 27 66 93
ZYX R1000 Ayry2/s MC 27 66 93
Van Den Hul Frog Gold MC 27 66 93
Accuphase AC-3 MC 27 66 93
Shelter 90X MC 27 66 93
Benz Micro Wood M2 MC 27 66 93
Benz Micro Wood H2 MC 27 66 93
Audiotechnica 155MLX MM 28 65 93
Denon A-100 MC 27 66 93
AK Labs S-921 MC 27 66 93
Ak Labs EC-3 (SS retip) MC 27 66 93
Supex SD-901 Super MK4 MC 27 66 93
Dynavector DV-XX-1L SS tip MC 27 66 93
Kiseki Purpleheart(VDH tip) MC 28 65 93
Goldbug Mr. Brier MC 28 65 93
Spectral Reference Signature MC 28 65 93
Monster Cable Alpha 2HO Ruby MC 25 67 92
EMT TSD-15 MC 27 65 92
Mission 773 VDH re-tip MC 25 67 92
Audioquest AQ 7000 retipped MC 25 67 92
Goldbug Clement II MC 25 67 92
Argent MC-500HS MC 26 66 92
Aidas AS-1 MC 26 66 92
Denon 103SL Soundsmith MC 26 66 92
AKG P-8 Aidas mods MI 26 66 92
Clearaudio Victory H MC 26 66 92
Dynavector Karat 23R MC 26 66 92
Dynavector Karat Nova MC 26 66 92
Van Den Hul Frog MC 27 65 92
Van Den Hul Grasshopper GLA MC 27 65 92
Van Den Hul Grasshopper GLA III MC 27 65 92
Van Den Hul Grasshopper XGM III MC 27 65 92
Van Den Hul Grasshopper SLN III MC 27 65 92
Van Den Hul Grasshopper SLA III MC 27 65 92
Van Den Hul Grasshopper SLA MC 27 65 92
Van Den Hul Grasshopper GLZ MC 27 65 92
Van Den Hul Grasshopper XGP MC 27 65 92
Charisma MC-1 MC 27 65 92
Benz Micro MC-1 MC 27 65 92
Benz Micro REF 3 MC 27 65 92
Clearaudio Concerto MC 27 65 92
Dynavector DV-XX-2 MKII MC 27 65 92
Transfiguration AF-1 MC 27 65 92
Shelter 901 MC 27 65 92
Koetsu Rosewood MC 27 65 92
Koetsu Rosewood Red MC 27 65 92
Koetsu Urushi Wajima MC 27 65 92
Crown Jewel Reference MC 27 65 92
ZYX R-50 Bloom MC 27 65 92
Allnic Audio Verito Z MC 27 65 92
Allnic Audio Puritas MC 27 65 92
Elac EMC van den hul MC 27 65 92
Ortofon SPU Royal N MC 27 65 92
Ortofon 70th Anniversary MC 27 65 92
Ortofon MC-3000 MC 27 65 92
EMT XSD-15 MC 27 65 92
Dynavector KaratDiamond 100D MC 27 65 92
Dynavector Ultimo 20B MC 27 65 92
Madrigal Carnegie-2 Soundsmith optym MC 28 64 92
Cartridge Man Music Maker MK III MI 25 66 91
Elac ESG-795 Van D Hul MM 25 66 91
Rata RP-70 VDH MM 25 66 91
Entre MC-5 boron MC 26 65 91
Shelter 501 MC 26 65 91
Fidelity Researcch MC-44 MC 26 65 91
Benz Micro Glider H MC 26 65 91
Benz Micro Glider L MC 26 65 91
Shelter 501 MKII MC 26 65 91
Dynavector Karat 23RS MC 26 65 91
Linn Klyde MC 26 65 91
Linn Arkiv/Arkiv B MC 26 65 91
Van Den Hul One MC 26 65 91
Sumiko Celebration Pear MC 26 65 91
Audiocraft AC-05 MC 26 65 91
Fidelity Researcch MC-44 MC 26 65 91
Empire MC-5 MC 27 64 91
Van Den Hul Two MC 27 64 91
Dynavector Karat 23 MC 27 64 91
Empire/Van Den Hul 1000 MC 27 64 91
Benz Micro Ace MC 27 64 91
Lyra Lydian MC 27 64 91
Lyra Helicon MC 27 64 91
Shelter 301 MC 27 64 91
Clearaudio Talismann MC 27 64 91
Van Den Hul Colibri XCP HO MC 27 64 91
Monster Cable H2O MC 24 66 90
ELAC ESG-794 MM 25 65 90
Audioquest AQ-7000 NSX MC 25 65 90
Sony XL-88D retipped MC 25 65 90
Ortofon 70th Anniversary MC 25 65 90
Ortofon Rohmann MC 25 65 90
Linn Troika MC 26 64 90
AKG P-8 ES Super Nova MI 26 64 90
Denon 103D MC 26 64 90
Denon DL-103C MC 26 64 90
Denon DL-103S MC 26 64 90
Denon DL-103FL MC 26 64 90
Audiotechnica ART 9 MC 26 64 90
Sensitive Sound Splash 5 MC 26 64 90
Wilson Benesch PLY MC 27 63 90
Supex 900 Super MC 27 63 90
Highphonic A-300 MC 27 63 90
Audiotechnica At-37E MC 27 63 90
Van Den Hul MC-10 MC 27 63 90
Bluenote Boboli MC 27 63 90
Dynavector DV 50x MC 27 63 90
Dynavector 20X L MC 27 63 90
Dynavector 20X S MC 27 63 90
Dynavector D20B MC 27 63 90
Grado The Reference MI 28 62 90
Grado Ref Master MI 28 62 90
Ortofon Jubilee MC 25 64 89
Technics P23 (boron) MM 25 64 89
Cartridge Man Music Maker 3 MI 25 64 89
Linn Asaka MC 25 64 89
Linn Karma MC 25 64 89
Audiotechnica AT-33 EV MC 24 64 88
Audiotechnica AT-15 SS MM 26 63 89
Ortofon MC-2000 MK II MC 26 63 89
Technics P-23 boron MM 26 63 89
Nagaoka MP-500 MM 26 63 89
Nagaoka MP-50 MM 26 63 89
Denon DL-103 MC 26 63 89
Denon DL-103LC MC 26 63 89
Denon DL-103LC II MC 26 63 89
Denon DL-103U MC 26 63 89
Denon DL-305 MC 26 63 89
EMT TMD-65 MONO MC 26 63 89
EMT TSD-25 MONO MC 26 63 89
Coral MC-82 VDH MC 26 63 89
Audiocraft AC-03 MC 26 63 89
ADC MC 1.5 MC 26 63 89
Dynavector 10 x 4 MC 27 62 89
Dynavector 10 x 5 MC 27 62 89
Sumiko BPS EVO III MC 29 60 89
Supex SD-901 Super MC 27 62 89
Dynavector 17D2 MKII MC 27 62 89
Fidelity Research FR-7F MC 28 61 89
Excel MC-100E MC 23 65 88
Audiotechnica AT-160 ML MM 25 63 88
Audiotechnica AT-170 MM 25 63 88
Cello Limited MI 26 62 88
Hana EH MC 26 62 88
Audiotechnica AT-8008 MM 24 64 88
Audioqest AQ-909 MC 25 63 88
ADC Integra MKIII MM 25 63 88
Linn Asak MC 25 63 88
Audiotechnica 150E MM 25 63 88
Townshend EEI MCP555 MC 25 63 88
Clearaudio Sigma MC 25 63 88
Decca Super Gold MI 25 63 88
AKG P-8 ES MI 26 62 88
Audiotechnica ART 1 MC 26 62 88
Audiotechnica ART 2000 MC 26 62 88
Fidelity Research FR-45 MC 26 62 88
Fidelity Research FR-44 MC 26 62 88
Shure V15 VXMR MM 26 62 88
Ortofon MC-2000 MC 26 62 88
Ortofon MC-200MKII MC 26 62 88
Denon DL-304 MC 26 62 88
Ortofon Black MM 26 62 88
Ortofon MC-10 Supreme MC 26 62 88
Audiocraft AC-01 MC 26 62 88
Accuphase AC-3 (Soundsmith) MC 27 61 88
Van Den Hul MC-10 retipped MC 27 61 88
Dynavector 10 x 2 MC 27 61 88
Dynavector 10 x 3 MC 27 61 88
Grado Platinum H MI 28 60 88
Grado Platinum L MI 28 60 88
Grado Sonata MI 28 60 88
Sumiko Blue Point Special MC 29 59 88
Audiotechnica AT-13EA MM 24 63 87
Audiotechnica AT-6006 MM 24 63 87
Ortofon MC-30 MC 24 63 87
Technics EPC-300MC MC 24 63 87
Linn K9 MM 25 62 87
Adcom HC VDH II MC 25 62 87
Ortofon Kontrapunkt B MC 25 62 87
Ortofon Kontrapunkt A MC 25 62 87
McIntosh MC-1000 MC 25 62 87
Audioquest AQ-S100 MC 25 62 87
Audiotechnica AT-125LC MM 25 62 87
Audiotechnica AT-20 S MM 25 62 87
Audiotechnica AT-440 MLa MM 25 62 87
Coral 777S MC 25 62 87
Decca Maroon MI 25 62 87
Van Den Hul MM-2 MM 26 61 87
Denon DL-301 MC 26 61 87
Denon DL-301 II MC 26 61 87
Denon DL-300 MC 26 61 87
Denon DL-302 MC 26 61 87
Denon DL-303 MC 26 61 87
Denon DL-110 MC 26 61 87
Denon DL-160 MC 26 61 87
Dynavector DV-20X MC 27 60 87
Grace F-9L MM 26 61 87
Grace F-9E MM 26 61 87
Audiotechnica AT-OC9 MLII MC 26 61 87
Phase Tech P-3 Alexandrite MC 26 61 87
MY Sonic Lab Eminent MC 26 61 87
Empire LTD 250 MM 26 61 87
Empire LTD 250 MM 26 61 87
Empire LTD 450 MM 26 61 87
Empire LTD 750 MM 26 61 87
Fidelity Research FR1-MKII MC 26 61 67
Goldring 2500 MM 26 61 87
Fidelity Research MC-201 MC 27 60 87
Ortofon MC-20 Super MC 26 61 87
Ortofon X3-MC MC 26 61 87
Audiotechnica AT-3100 XE MM 24 62 86
Audiotechnica At 32 MC 24 62 86
Audiotechnica AT-32E MC 24 62 86
AKG P-8 E MI 24 62 86
Adcom XC MR MC 24 62 86
AKG P-25 MD MI 24 62 86
Goldring Eroica H MC 25 61 86
Boston MC 1E MC 25 61 86
Elac EMM-290 VDH MM 25 61 86
Audioquest AQ-404B MC 25 61 86
Audiotechnica AT-14E MM 25 61 86
Audiotechnica AT-15E MM 25 61 86
Audiotechnica AT-140 ML MM 25 61 86
Audiotechnica AT-150 Ti MM 25 61 86
Audiotechnica AT-23 MM 25 61 86
Empire 1080LT MM 25 61 86
Sony VL-32G MM 25 61 86
Sumiko Andante FGV MM 25 61 86
Technics 310 MC 25 61 86
Van Den Hul MM-1 MM 26 60 86
Elac EMC Van Den Hul MC 26 60 86
Denon DL-80A MC 26 60 86
Grace F-8E MM 26 60 86
Audiotechnica AT-OC9 MC 26 60 86
Audiotechnica AT-33PTG MC 26 60 86
Audiotechnica AT-OC7 MC 26 60 86
Audiotechnica AT-OC5 MC 26 60 86
Benz Micro MC-20 MC 26 60 86
Denon 103GL MC 26 60 86
Kiseki Milltek MC 26 60 86
Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MM 26 60 86
Ortofon SPU-G MC 26 60 86
Ortofon MC-10 MC 26 60 86
Ortofon MC-20 MC 26 60 86
Ortofon X1-MC MC 26 60 86
Clearaudio Symphony MC 27 59 86
AK Labs ES-30 MC 27 59 86
GAS Sleeping Beauty S MC 27 59 86
Goldring Eroica L MC 25 60 85
Entre EC-1 MC 24 61 85
Bang & Olufsen MMC-2 MI 24 61 85
Audiotechnica AT-13E MM 24 61 85
Audiotechnica AT-14EA MM 24 61 85
Audiotechnica AT-30E MM 24 61 85
Audiotechnica AT-450 E MM 24 61 85
Audiotechnica ATP-1/2/3 MM 24 61 85
Technics 205C- IX MM 25 60 85
Grace F-9P MM 25 60 85
Shure V15 II MM 25 60 85
Shure V15 II I MM 25 60 85
Shure V15 IV MM 25 60 85
Audiotechnica AT-13D MM 25 60 85
Empire 2000E IV MM 25 60 85
Empire 4000DT MM 25 60 85
Audiotechnica AT-120 EG MM 25 60 85
Audio Note IQ-2 MM 25 60 85
Bang & Olufsen SP 10 MM 25 60 85
Bang & Olufsen SP 12 MM 25 60 85
Bang & Olufsen SP 15 MM 25 60 85
Technics 205C- II MM 25 60 85
Ortofon HMC-30 MC 25 60 85
Sumo Sumo II MC 25 60 85
Goldbug Clement MC 25 60 85
Goldbug Medusa MC 25 60 85
Ortofon Sl-20 MC 25 59 84
Clearaudio Classic Aurum Wood MM 27 58 85
Monster Cable Alpha 1000 MKII MC 27 58 85
ADC Super XLM MM 23 61 84
Audiotechnica AT-3003 MM 24 60 84
AKG P-10S MI 24 60 84
AKG P-15 MD MI 24 60 84
AKG P-6E MI 24 60 84
Tonorel T-2001D MM 24 60 84
Sony XL-33 MM 24 60 84
Sony XL-44 MM 24 60 84
Audiotechnica AT-10 MM 24 60 84
Audiotechnica AT-100E MM 24 60 84
Audiotechnica AT-11 MM 24 60 84
Bang & Olufsen MMC-1 MI 24 60 84
Audiotechnica AT-110 MM 24 60 84
Ortofon Sl-15 MC 25 59 84
Technics 207C- II MM 25 59 84
Apature KOCE MC 26 58 84
Sumiko Andante E MM 24 59 83
Audioquest B100 MC 25 58 83
Acutex 312 STR MM 25 58 83
Audiotechnica AT-12E MM 24 58 82
Adcom GFC MC 24 58 82
Adcom XC LT MC 24 58 82
Audioquest AQ-606 MC 25 57 82
Arkam C77 MM 24 57 81
Arkam E77 MM 24 57 81
Fidelity Research MCX-5 MC 24 57 81
Ortofon Red MM 26 55 81
Sony VL-37G MM 26 54 80
Win Labs SDT-10 MK2 SG 25 55 80
Micro Acoustic MA-382 EC 25 55 80
Ortofon Rondo Red MC 25 55 80
Acutex 307 MM 25 55 80
Acutex 310 MM 25 55 80
ADC QLM36 MM 22 57 79
Shure 92 MM 23 56 79
Shure M3 MM 25 54 79
ADC LMF-2 MM 22 56 78
ADC 10 MM 22 56 78
ADC QLM30 II MM 22 56 78
ADC 220XE MM 23 55 78
Shure M7 MM 24 54 78
ADC 1 MM 22 55 77
ADC K7 MM 22 55 77
Decca Gold MI 25 52 77
Empire 108 MM 25 52 77
Victor MD-106 MM 22 54 76
Technics U-25 MM 25 50 75
ADC 660E MM 22 50 72
Garrott P-66 MM 23 49 72
Nagaoka NM-33S MM 22 49 71
Rega Bias-2 MM 22 49 71
Rega Bias MM 22 48 70

grgaudio02-15-2018 2:18am

...
34 posts total
View entire discussion

halcro Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,664 posts 12-23-2019 at 07:20am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Perhaps you don’t know that the Symphonic Line which you have at No. 1 was simply a re-badged VdH Grasshopper which you have at 136....😂
daveyf Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 2,875 posts 12-23-2019 at 07:57am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @halcro +1 Like I stated in the other thread...there are numerous errors and other odd results in the table that grgaudio posted. Now you tell him that the Symphonic Line and VdH Grasshopper are one and the same..oops! Sine the OP has a vested interest in several of these cartridges and is a dealer of used cartridges...I think these threads are basically worthless to the hobbyist.
agrippa Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 160 posts 12-23-2019 at 08:08am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete What absolute drivel. 50 turntables, 60-70 tonearms and 921 cartridges (including those in the other thread) over 10-12 years? It takes me weeks to properly evaluate a cartridge (since I also need to eat, drink, sleep, read, watch a bit of TV, work, get some fresh air, etc, etc) and here someone has compiled a subjective evaluation of 921 of them in what amounts to 4.75 days (time needed for other activities not subtracted) per cartridge? Yeah, right. This must be one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen.....
edgewear Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 543 posts 12-23-2019 at 10:17am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I think some of you are coming down a bit hard on grgaudio. This list and the new revised one are of interest to me, because they contain many older cartridges I had never heard of and which might merit further investigation. That’s why I’ve called it informative, even if it's a subjective dealer’s opinion. This is not more biased than those ’reviews’ of new cartridges, which are only advertisements disguised as objective ’audio journalism’. I find that much more offensive. I became interested in vintage cartridges, because I discovered by accident that there’s no major quality difference between old & new, contrary to what those reviewers always try to tell you. This piqued my interest to hear more of those ’oldies’, like many others here on this forum. Another reason is that I’ve become totally disgusted with the current pricing tactics of audio manufacturers, who seem to be in the business of accomodating trophy hunters who equate price with status. I refuse to play along with their game, like many others on this forum. If you must use the word ’crook’, use it here. The ranking is of course just a crude indication of the quality level, nothing more. And I only look at the sonic ranking, those ’technical’ points are of no interest to me. I’ve noticed some strange anomalies as well, but that doesn’t disqualify the list as such. And I realise comparing used cartridges with unknown history is not exactly a level playing field, which may explain some of the anomalies. So there are plenty of caveats, but at least he doesn’t pretend otherwise. So I accept it ’warts and all’ and value it for what it is. As for the Symphonic Line being a rebadged Grasshopper, I’m sure he knows this (the visual clues can hardly be overlooked). But I’ve learned that not all vdHul’s are created equal, even if their model numbers are the same. Would you believe that the biggest sonic difference I’ve ever experienced between two cartridges was between two Colibri’s?

34 posts total
View entire discussion

Recent Activity

Unanswered

Related to You

Following

Insider Lobby

Start A New Discussion

Grading phono cartridges Part 2.

More to discover

Audiogon

The world's largest high-end audio community.

Virtual Systems

Let the world see what you've built.

Bluebook

The right price. Every time.

Merch

Rep the community and hobby you love so much.

Audiogon

Virtual Systems

Bluebook

Merch

Rep the community and hobby you love so much.

Recent Activity

Unanswered

Related to You

Following

Insider Lobby

Start A New Discussion

Grading phono cartridges Part 2.

halcro

daveyf

agrippa

edgewear

More to discover