Cartridges, like speakers, are transducers (convert mechanical energy to sound) and have the biggest impact upon systems SQ. That's why listening to different cartridges/speakers with one's own system is important.
Synergy
Some months ago I upgraded my analog system extensively. My salesman recommended the Hana ML cartridge which I know is very highly thought of. I had been using the Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge which I accidentally destroyed, I sent the Virtuoso out to be retipped by SoundSmith and when I got it back tried to sell it on Audiogon and eBay. I couldn’t give it away at a ridiculous low price so I kept it. I used the Hana in my new system for months and was relatively happy until I realized I wasn’t getting great sound compared to my digital side.
So I got the bright idea of switching back to the Clearaudio Virtuoso. Voila, the system came to life after break in like never before.
Just shows how components are synergy related.
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RV it is not Synergy. Cheap moving coil cartridges suck. Many of us believe there are MM and MI cartridges that are much superior in that price range. One of the very best cartridges I've had in my system was the Soundsmith Voice. It is a $3000 MI cartridge that is easily comparable to $8000 MC cartridges. If you are a rock and roller the Clearaudio Charisma is a fabulous cartridge. It has great bass and is dynamic as hell. On the less expensive side is the Nagaoka MP 500. You can ask @lewm about it. He has one. |
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