How to choose a cartridge?

Because you can't try all these cartridges in YOUR system you are always flipping the coin. The very first consideration is, how much can you afford to spend. Then  you make a list of all the cartridges in your price range and start doing some research. Delete the cartridges with plain aluminum cantilevers and older stylus profiles. Go with modern tapered aluminum,  boron or sapphire cantilevers and fine line styluses. A good example of a great cartridge for the money is the Goldring 2042. IMHO you are better off with a high output cartridge in this price range than a cheap moving coil cartridge. It also makes sense to stay away from the cottage manufacturers and stick to the larger established ones like Ortofon, Goldring, Clearaudio, My Sonic, Lyra and others. I personally think you should push it and get a Lyra Delos. The sweet spot in the Soundsmith line is The Voice. 

 

I know that you like measurements as you mentioned, well with cartridges that almost does not works to make cartridge decisions.

Yeah… of all the measurements, channel separation is the one that likely has the most bearing on things.

 

…LPS…

Yeah - that is on my list, but a bit off the deep end on proce.

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS

I am not sure distortions are as valuable.
The motor itself should be more of a linear device, but the suspension is likley where the harmonics pop in.

 

 

It is very hard to even begin to recommend something absent some kind of context as to sonic preference and what you are trying to achieve. It would help to know what cartridges you have heard in your own system

First was anAudioquest 606, and then an Audioquest 404, or maybe a 505.
The 606 was a later drilled sapphire HOMC.
Later was a Sumiko Blue Point Special, and lastly the Garrott Bros p77i, which is the best I have head so far.

 

… For example, if we know what you have for gear and what direction you want to move from your current sound, someone can probably point you in the right direction.

Sota Sapphire, Schroder CB-9 arm is on the way.
There is a 10mm thick DIY Alloy tone arm board that the tone arm mounts to.
A Nagra VPS phono stage, and currently an Audible Illusions line stage,
I know that the VPS is mostly 2nd harmonic, with a slight amount of third harmonic.
It replaced a ARC PH2, which was fixed at 48k, so I have SUT and loading options, as well a an extra 15 gain with the VPS now.

The AI line stage also is reported to have 30dB of gain.

 

 

If you have heard cartridges that are sort of at the extremes, like a vdh Colibre (fast, clear) and one at the other extreme, like a Koetsu (warm, harmonically dense) and have a preference, that would be helpful too.

A friend has a vdHul and his system sound great on femail voices, and in general, But it is Maggys, etc… so his whole system is sharper than what I have.

I think my system is already on the neutral to warm side, so I would probably want to stay on the neutral to sharp side for the cart… not overly warm... but I suppose I should try to have a listen to a Koetsu to really book-end the space?

 

 

I personally think you should push it and get a Lyra Delos. The sweet spot in the Soundsmith line is The Voice.

The SS have 35 db channel separation, so that is a plus.
The Lyra is on my list - at least the mental list… (Thanks)

 

Thanks guys.

I,too, think that the Delos is a fine cartridge offered at a reasonable price, provided you are not looking for something very lush and warm sounding.  If lush and warm is your preference, perhaps a Koetsu or Grado or an Ortofon should be considered.

I have not heard the Audio Technica cartridge you are considering, but I have heard the top of the line ART 1000 and it is terrific and not as pricey as other top end cartridges; it makes me wonder if some of their other cartridges are also reasonably priced.

I'd say that it's very hard to expand on the merits of a cartridge without considering the step up / phono stage. In my experience the cartridge - step up / phono  matching is just as, or even more important than the cartridge itself.

Try looking for people who have the same step up / phono as you do, and what were their experiences with these cartridges.

 

I think it is something of a crapshoot.

When you audition a cartridge, you are also auditioning the set-up, and set-up is at least as important IMO. By that I mean that I have heard modest cartridges sound very good, and expensive cartridges sound bad.

Unless your TT is very quiet, and your tonearm can be adjusted every way from Sunday, you will never get everything that a cartridge can deliver. And TT don't wear out, neither do tonearms.

So I suggest that you upgrade your TT and your tonearm. Worked for me, but YMMV.