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A pragmatic view of cartridge expenses / many questions

Trying to see what your thoughts are on cartridge expenses? Do you buy cartridges and replace or retip after it’s worn? Cartridges are like tires for cars in some ways. You have to replace the tires after they wear out.

If you own an ultra expensive cartridge, let’s say, over 7k, is that your main spinner? Do you do a factory retip at costs exceeding thousands? Do some of you who own high cost cartridges use them only for special occasions, similar to drinking Dom Perigon for some special event, and use a normal not so exotic cartridge for regular day to day use and perhaps non-audiophile records.
I am sure each of us have our own price threshold and thoughts of high end cartridges. I only said 7k, because that seems to me a fair price point to describe a very expensive cartridge.

My thoughts are that having a few normally priced cartridges around is a good thing, due to the wear and tear, and replacing or retippimg would also be less costly. I do lust after some high end cartridges and if I do obtain one, my philosophy would be as described above. Enjoy for special occasions, and use a less costly for normal day to day listens. Geez, it feels like we are trying to separate our car cruises from a sports car feel to a luxury limo ride feel, in some ways. 
What’s your opinion on expendability of cartridges?
audioquest4life
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear @audioquest4life : " I just received a Van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius to demo. "

I owned at least 3-4 Colibri cartridges I still own one of them.

The Colibri is a great quality performer if you own the " rigth " phonolinepreamp.

I owned the Colibri with wood and polycarbonate cartridge body and with different output levels and the best ones are the Colibri not with wood body but polycarbonate one and the Colibri with 0.22mv output, the higher output are really a different cartridge.

I owned too not only a stone Koetsu’s but the RSP too and these Koetsu are low output too and needs tha " rigth " phonolinepreamp. Even the cartridges you own need it too. I owned the LP and the Ruby’s too.

I owned your SME V and mounted there several cartridges including top performance Lyra’s that starting with the Kleos to the Etna’s are really good ones.

Btw, maybe could be time that you think to own a different tonearm that can gives you more options of different carrtridges that the V because the Koetsu stone models is not a good match as other great cartridge options outhere as the Goldfinger and the like.
Maybe the new gimbal bearing Durand or the new VPI gimbaled or the Kuzma 4point can help you more than the V in the near future if you are looking for a new great cartridge.

R.


audioquest4life OP
778 posts
 
@rauliruegas, 

Thank for your feedback. It’s all relative but not going down another rabbit hole for tonearms. Been there done that. Kicked out dealers from my home in Germany bragging about this and that, and at the end of the day, It’s subjective. Your opinion is subjective to me because I know my equipment, my room, and have many differing listening experiences than you.  My phono stage can do 80db gain, not many can do that. 
Too me the VPI only edges the SME V due to its ability to adjust VTA easier. Note, I said easier. Anyone who owns and sets up SME tonearms knows how to make adequate VTA adjustments, it just takes time. The Kuzma 4 point we tested against a SME V on a Transrotor Turbillon. We all preferred the sound with the SME V and Koetsu Onyx on this system.  We swapped a Pass Labs with my own Aesthetix IO Signature, while different sounding, we all enjoyed the music the same. If you are finicky about tubes, stay away from tube products, that’s all. 
Back to cartridges, what’s your stance on cartridge purchases? Do you opt for more mainstream with good returns on investment? Meaning, your apt to shop around for cartridges with good price performance ratios which also allow for trading in, or up, and/or easily remanufactured by a factory? Ciao,
Audioquest4life
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear @audioquest4life  : "   good returns on investment? "

The only return I looking for is that the cartridge honor MUSIC reproduction that can puts me nearer to the recording and that's all thaT MATTERS TO ME.

MUSIC is all about MUSIC, hardware is only a necessity for. Obviously your needs/priorities are way different from mines.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
@audioquest4life  :Btw, for years this new Sumiko cartridge is voiced through SME V, so maybe can be a good option for you.

R.
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa3913-sumiko-palo-santos-presentation-low-output-mc-moving-coil-cartridge-brand-new-cartridges

R.
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