'Diamond' cantilevers: a man's best friend?


An increasing number of cartridge manufacturers is offering models with 'diamond' cantilevers at the top of their range, generally priced at the wrong side of $10k. The price hike compared to - otherwise identical - models with boron (or other) cantilevers runs in the multiple thousands.

Can anyone explain why? Is this just an artificial price point to emphasize exclusivity or does it have to do with material or manufacturing cost, even if there's not much material to begin with? And speaking of artificial, are these cantilevers made from 'real' diamond, or some industrial type? Are all diamond cantilevers created equal or do we see a variety of diamond-like materials sold as 'real' diamond? And what about the rare 'one piece' diamond stylus/cantilevers used in a few vintage cartridges (Sony XL-88D, Dynavector, Kiseki Lapis Lazuli); are these new top dollar diamond cantilever cartridges (like some Koetsu's, Ortofon MC Century, Transfiguration Orpheus Diamond, etc.) of the 'one piece' type? And if not, what is the presumed advantage compared to ruby, sapphire, boron or any other cantilever materials? In short: does anyone know what the 'diamond' cantilever landscape really looks like?

And finally the really important question: do 'diamond' cantilevers - all else being equal - offer superior performance that would begin to justify the price difference? Has anyone done the required comparative listening?

PS: a have a nice collection of MC's with a variety of cantilever materials: sapphire, ruby, boron, aluminium, beryllium, or some combination of materials. But not 'diamond' (real or otherwise), so I'm curious to find out if I'm missing out on something.



edgewear
My old post detected above, since 2018 i upgraded my Dynavector Karat 17DS with later version Karat 17D2, but it’s still sealed in the box. Dynavector designer Dr.Tominari made extremely short diamond cantilevers while SONY "D" comes with extremely long gemstone cantilever and 50% of it is long aluminum collar tube. Completely different design, but both called "diamond cantilevers".







According to sound Smith one of the best cantelevers is ...free.   Just go pick a cactus needle.... LOL. 
@howardalex , you say that the Jade makes everything sound like the Jade. That is the opposite of my experience with the KRSP/dc - the KRSP/dc makes massed violins violinny, solo voice voicey, organ organic, but in a supernatural way.

But this is after nearly seven years of tuning, and during some of this time the cartridge sounded harsh. Just now it's supernaturally clear and sweet, at 85K loading.

In my system, setup has made the difference, that and turntable noise. I use a Trans-Fi Terminator on a DIY air bearing TT, and just made a significant improvement by making up some copper pivots for the wand. What does the Jade sound like with the motor completely disconnected? That is, powered down, no belt?
Terry, I would be interested in those copper pivot screws. 
Maybe you could sent me PM.
Regards,