Back to serious business. Audioquest, nature is full of surprises. Making a tapered cantilever is not easy. Making one that is tough and light is even harder. I suspect Frank Schroder has detailed the thorns characteristics and thinks they make an ideal cantilever. This proof is in the listening and tracking performance/ Problem is you really have to spend $8K to find out unless you can find a low mileage used one from a trusted source. If I get a Soundsmith it will be the Hyperion. If I don't like it it will be sold immediately to some lucky person. I have turned over several cartridges that way. As far as the Koetsu is concerned it would not be my first choice in a low compliance MC. I lean towards the Air Tight and My Sonic Lab. But if you have to have jade go for it but you'd best have a heavy arm. SME V's will need a lot of added mass and I am not sure they can counter balance it but you would no better than I.
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?
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?
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- 96 posts total
- 96 posts total