A pragmatic view of cartridge expenses / many questions

@edcyn, 

“By the time it wears down to the point where you have to replace it (barring catastrophe, of course), chances are there'll be something better...and perhaps even cheaper.“

Amen. Seems similar to computers nowadays. I guess enjoy it as much as you can and decide on a factory refurbish or replacement later as needed. 

@miilercarbon, 

“Then when you get to the level you're talking about it really makes sense to get the Soundsmith Strain Gauge. Costs a little more than $7k but actually costs a whole lot less because with it you eliminate the need for a phono stage that could easily run you $5k to $15k or more at that level. Plus you get a cartridge with user replaceable stylus that is dirt cheap, relatively speaking.”

This is suggestive of someone looking to jump into those components and price range who either have not splurged on a total high end normal cartridge solution, or have researched and decided that the Strain Gauge is for them. I have considerable investments in my phono pre and have researched the Strain Gauge....have not heard one except at a couple of audio shows, and from what others are writing about on forums and reviews. It’s not for everyone as their is a perceived sound signature associated with it. At that price range, it’s competitive with other cartridges and the fact you don’t have to worry about exuberant maintenance costs, but, with the other cartridges, it’s an evil necessity. Not making a case against or for the Strain Gauge either way, it’s just that you mentioned it as an example for long term cost savings, which, would be for someone willing to step into that direction. Do you use a Strain Gauge? 
I would only buy original replacement Michelin Sport Cup 2s for my Porsche or Corvette as that’s what is standard from the factory as a compete rebuild for the high priced cartridge. The exceptions are Soundsmith and Van den Hul, as their factory retip prices are reasonable. 

 

When someone buying a $5-10k cartridge I hope this person already tried at least over 50 different cartridges prior to buying the most expensive one. I hope a decision to buy even $5k cartridge is rational (in fact it is irrational for sure, imo). If you are not happy with so many great cartridges that cost under $2k then maybe it's a rational decision to look for something else. But you can find a cheaper cartridge that will perform better than more expensive cartridge. All you need is to buy many and try them, compare them yourself on your system.  

A phono cartridge should not cost that much! There is nothing inside a cartridge that can cost that much, this is all about margin (and marketing).

It can be damaged as easy as any cheap cartridge, but the factory exchange will cost the owner at least 60% of the retail price, so when you damage $7k cartridge you can get another one for about $4200 if you're lucky (your sample must be from the official distributor, who can send it back to the manufacturer to get new one instead). The cost of using such cartridges is insane! And you can't use it longer than about 2500hrs anyway even if you have the best tip on it.  

The price often has nothing to do with the quality. After using some overpriced modern cartridges at $3-5k range I am happy to get back to the basics and keep using some NOS samples of the best high-end from the 80s (MM,MI and MC) that cost me much less in price and sound better. 

New cartridges and its design is not any better that top models from the golden age (70s/80s). Most of the greatest (legendary) cartridge designed are passed away or retired.  

Audioquest4life, I am not particularly fond of tonearms with removable head shells (except the 4 Points) and changing cartridges is a PITA. So , for most of my life with one turntable and tonearm I kept two cartridges, my current favorite and my previous current favorite in case something happened to the first current favorite. I always managed to get a new cartridge before any stylus wore out perhaps every three years or so and never sent a cartridge out for retipping and I doubt I ever will.
With two tables and two or more tonearms it becomes a different situation. It becomes easier to compare cartridges but with multiple cartridges running it becomes even less likely that you will wear one out.
With clean static free records and a properly set up arm styli can go a very long ways. Megabuck cartridges cost megabucks to retip which is most definitely a rip off IMHO. As an example a Clearaudio Charisma costs $1200 to retip. The Clearaudio Goldfinger costs $9600 to retip. They have exactly the same cantilever and stylus. Who would buy a Goldfinger retipped by some budget retipper? Not me. But, people who can afford a $16,000 cartridge usually have several and the likelihood they would wear one out diminishes rapidly.
As for utilization, certain cartridges are better with certain music. I have learned with a recent purchase that modern MM cartridges excel at Rock while MC cartridges do better with string quartets. From now on I will have one of each type Qed up ready to use. I do not have a MC cartridge that is as aggressive as the Clearaudio Charisma I recently purchased and playing classical most would think it was a MC cartridge. Very pleased with this. So much so that I suspect it will curtail my spending on expensive MC cartridges which I am dead sure are aggressively overpriced. Next I might try a Soundsmith cartridge to see what that is about. 

Oh and pay no attention to Chakster raving on about old cartridges. He only listens to Elvis:)

Audioquest4life, my 911s will only get 8000 miles out of rear Cup 2S 
For every day use Michelin Sport 4S are wonderful. I get 20,000 miles on those and there is no difference in handling off track. For track use get P Zero Trofeo Rs and really burn up the money. $2000/day:) I just saw my first midengined Corvette. I'm sure it is the performance value of the century but according to recent press it feels like a Jeep and worse it is at least to my eyes huge and ugly. Ferrari still corners the market on the best looking cars. The new Gordon Murry car looks nice. Mclarens are not bad but not up to Ferrari in the looks department. My ultimate car remains the Singer 911 followed by the Eagle GT.