Cartridges

Dynavector XV-1S
 

👍 +1

I'd never even consider buying a record that would cost as much as a good cartridge. No 'hot stampers' here, please...

I really appreciate all you guy’s thoughts! Very helpful for me. I admit, my system probably does not warrant a 12k cart based on the cost of the other components. It would be the most expensive piece. But, right or wrong, I’ve heard that it should It should be. Solypsa thanks for this recommendations! My settings consists of:

Pass Int 60 amp

 Parasound JC 3+ phono stage

VPI Classic 1 w/Transfig Axia (upgraded but not sure which tonearm upgrades it has) 

Volti Razz Speakers

digital is:

Innuos Zenith MK3

innuos Phoenix USB

Ayre DB 9 DAC w/20 upgrade

i have upgraded interconnect and power cables that are good. The speaker cable are probably the weakest they’re very old audio quest granite which sound pretty darn good compared to some of the cables I’ve tried all the other cables I’ve tried were not really pricey ones.

For this discussion I’m sure it doesn’t matter about the digital set. But you know the digital sound is what I am comparing the analog to. I am really kind of torn on whether to put a lot of money in the analog versus just spending a reasonable amount on a better DAC because the prices of good records are so high. I just got back into stereo about a year ago so I don’t have a good collection of records. Streaming is so much cheaper by comparison! But analog seems so much easier on the ears for me at similar volumes to the digital.

I just spent two days at the Capital Audiofest.  On each of those days I spent 1-2 hours looking at and buying LPs.  I ended up with about 20 new purchases (some brand new, some used).  What struck me most was the astronomical prices for good used vinyl.  $100 for an LP was not uncommon although that was about as high in price as I saw.  Like Mijostyn, I am not a buyer of a $100 LP, but I can say that because I already have a large collection of vintage and new LPs, many of which, I now know, could be seen by someone else as costing $100 or more. Sheesh!

the problem is not only the cost of great pressings, but the shoe leather it takes to find them. and how to know condition without buying 5 or 6 to find a quiet one. putting together a great collection of vintage early pressings is borderline impossible unless you can buy a collection already already curated.

so buying a great cartridge and buying easier to source new and more available used is more real world for someone starting out. you still get great sound.

but if given a choice, i would rather have great vintage original pressings and a modest cartridge than a great cartridge and new pressings. but it’s not a choice most of us can ever make.

i would caution anyone jumping into the Tom Port 'Hot Stamper' cauldron blindly without first doing their homework. and knowing what is what takes time and effort.