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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
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@unreceivedogma,

'- a friend who has won 6 Grammys for his work with Deutsche Grammophon and has done some work on my amps for me (since undone by someone else, lol) swears by the Shure ... is it the V5? It’s no longer made.'


I think I remember reading somewhere that the Shure V15 mk3 was the exemplary tracking cartridge in its time. Perhaps this is what your friend from Deutsche Grammophon was suggesting? 

There's a little information here from the website Your Vinyl Destination:

'Shure V15 - the best cartridges of all time?'

http://best-turntables.com/shure-v15-series-explained/

According to J Gordon Holt, in the kind of review you're unlikely to read nowadays,

"In short, this is one of the two best pickups available, and is probably the best for most hi-fi perfectionists."

https://www.stereophile.com/content/shure-v15-iii-phono-cartridge#:~:text=Phono%20Cartridge%20Review....


Unfortunately Shure decided to pull out of cartridge manufacturing in 2018 citing the lack of availability of suitable parts.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cnet.com/google-amp/news/sad-news-vinyl-lovers-shure-exits-phono-ca...
unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
1,122 posts
 
Cd318,

I found the Shure V15 type III, IV, V and MR on eBay. 

ONE of them is supposed to be the one, the others, also-rans. 

Supposedly useless without the microridge stylus. 

?
rauliruegas
13,125 posts
 
Dear @unreceivedogma : If by Netherlands you mean vdH then you already have a first rate Onyx refurbishing.

Now, Koetsu is expensive because what you receive in return is a " new " Onyx cartridge and this could makes a difference for the better but you have to pay for.

Btw, best Shure quality performance cartridges were the Ultra 500 and the ML140HE.

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,
R.
unreceivedogma's avatar
unreceivedogma
1,122 posts
 
Yes. vdH. Been sending them there for decades. 

I get nervous with the thing in the mail but there haven’t been any mishaps yet. 

I hear there is a guy in NJ that is supposed to be good and that I could drive it to but I have no experience with him. 
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@unreceivedogma,

'I found the Shure V15 type III, IV, V and MR on eBay.

ONE of them is supposed to be the one, the others, also-rans.'


I'm afraid I don't know enough about them apart from their no nonsense sturdy all-round reputation. Domestic products can have all kinds of conflicting reputations but established products used professionally in broadcasting can be regarded as far more dependable.

When buying used it's probably just as important to have a look at the seller in as much detail as the product or the price. 

I have never bought a used cartridge having always preferred to start with a new stylus, so I'd be pretty nervous too. 

There are definitely some dubious sellers/dealers out there who tend to leave a lot of information out of their ads.
Perhaps they just forget.

On the other hand there are some exemplary sellers out there who will readily disclose the most minor issue or blemish.

A perennial problem for not only an audiophile is the conflict between the heart and the head. Right now I'm asking myself if I really need another CD player as a backup, just in case.

It's really irrational, and probably no more than a sign of a lack of focus, but there's something really warm and enticing about looking for an audio product.
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