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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
audioquest4life OP
778 posts
 
“Ferrari used the Eagle F1 on several of its cars. Mussolini rolled in his grave. I believe Porsche has also but Ferdinand wouldn't give a hoot.” 😂 

The costs over time are what interest me as I approach retirement. I know with fixed income in retirement that I cannot splurge as much as I want compared to now. Have to research the Grado. 
audioquest4life OP
778 posts
 
What do “You” think of the cactus spine cartridge? 
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear @audioquest4life  : "  Compared to the Sussaro, the Crimson is hyper analytical. "

Well, that speaks of the quality level performance of your room/system and what you like .

I said that because the vdH cartridges are not " hyper analytical " especially the wood body models and  with higher output level as the model you have.
 vdH are different than the Sussurro ( that I already listened. I don't listen the Sussaro you named. ) but never anlytical and " hiper " is out of question. Something is not rigth in your whole set up.

Obviously that unfortunatelly  the Colibri is not for you and I say " unfortunatelly " because is a great top quality performer in the rigth room/system overall set up.

@terry9  "  At this rate, I'll need one rebuild, maybe two in my lifetime, "

imagine if you own the Allaerts Formula One that according with the designer/manufacturer information can gives you 10K hours !



R.


nandric's avatar
nandric
4,086 posts
 
The ''loose reference''. I was nearly lynched when I asked the
question: ''are you sure that retips by Ledermann are done
by Ledermann''? I think that I am even more entitled to ask
the uquestion : ''are you sure that Van den Hul is Van den Hul"?
To my knowledge he produces just one single cart per week.
Just to keep his skills in order. He spend more time in Ukraine
selling to their aircraft indutry his wires. Then one can see
unusual many Van den Hul carts one second hand market. 
As is, I hope , known people do not separte easilly from their
best carts. Nobody knows how many employee both ''masters'' 
have, What do you think those are for? 
Raul, I understand passion and love but not ''blind love''. 
terry9
2,354 posts
 
I think cactus spine is a wonderful idea. It's a tapered tube (or is it a rod?) and so is inherently anti-resonant. It's been shaped for rigidity and strength by evolution. And it's recommended by Schroeder and Lederman, who has done extensive testing. If I had the extra loot, I'd do it.
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