A pragmatic view of cartridge expenses / many questions

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.

@rauliruegas 

“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.”

Again, that’s your subjective opinion, not mine, which is objective...I am the one hearing it in my system and that’s the way it sounds to me. Not properly  setup...please! You don’t know me and my audio setup skills, and that’s a totally subjective opinion as well.  After setting up a least few dozen cartridges one gets used to the initial sound impressions. You should know that based on your vast MM listening experiences. To understand what I meant previously, you need to read what I stated...I am experimenting with a used Crimson and evaluating different loading options as part of that experiment. And my initial thoughts are that it is hyper analytical compared to my Sussaro MKII. Next, I will try some other settings to either validate or invalidate my impressions. I will also compare the Crimson to my Benz LPS to see what the differences are between those two. Adjusting for loading, Gain VTA, anti skate, overhang, VTF, are easy to me so I don’t have a problem swapping cartridges. 

But, back to the subject at hand, the cost performance ratio is all over the place, and quantifying a cartridge purchase with audio listening pleasure verses operating costs, is really individually rationalized by each of us in some way. I would say that as we gain more experiences and learn the intricacies of our own system and listening habits, it’s easy to formulate an opinion on what’s important, no matter the costs. Whether a low or high priced cartridge, some sort of rationalization must have been made to decide on the acquisition. Of course, and I am guilty of this as well, sometimes you say what the heck and splurge without second thought, which may be perceived as irrational behavior...it’s a hobby, enjoy while you can. Even if your told your setup is wrong! 

Please consider ultra-sonic record cleaning before you buy something really big. Not only does it improve the quality of the sound, but it improves the longevity of the cartridge.

I have a Clearaudio Double Matrix for cleaning purposes. I am looking at getting an ultrasonic cleaner to augment my cleaning regiment. 8,000 plus records and counting....always will have a mechanical cleaner for sure. 

Dear @audioquest4life : " Not properly setup...please! "

well that 20ohms loading means something about and this is not subjective.

" After setting up a least few dozen cartridges one gets used to the initial sound impressions. You should know that based on your vast MM listening experiences. "

Rigth, NO not exactly. The MM was a nice adventure and nothing else but a nice experiences ( " thousands " of it and way different the set up than LOMC ones. ) but I’m a LOMC cartridge advocate and my experiences with came from the Denon 103 passing through 100+ other LOMC ones including today top of the line ones. You can name almost any top vintage or today LOMC cartridge and you can be sure I owned or own or I listened it in my system.

My post to you is not subjective because you posted that loading and I know your phono stage and your tonearm and the cartridge and that can’t be improved by any kind of speaker or amplifier or room conditioning you have it. The best that can do speaker/room/amps is to degrade, at minimum if you like, the cartridge signal never can improve it and this is way objective in any way not subjective. I don't want to go deeper on this objective/subjective issue with your system.

Btw, MUSIC belongs not to the mid frequency range but to the frequency extremes. As better both ranges as better all frequency range harmonics.

Anyway:


" .it’s a hobby, enjoy while you can. Even if your told your setup is wrong! "

that’s your subjective opinion.

R.