Is There An "Absolute" Best Cartridge?

Dear Stanwal: I own too the Technics EPC 205C MK4 that is one of my favorities and I agree that is a great cartridge ( either MM/MI or LOMC. ).

As good the 205MK4 it is a little short against the P100C MK4 ( even both cartridge specs are different and in favor of the P100C MK4. ), we have to remember that this cartridge was the Technics " master piece ": nothing less.

+++++ " But I never heard of ANY p mount cartridge that could compete with a good standard mount given the compromises necessary by the mounting system. " +++++

please re-read my Technics review where I be very specific on that mounting " compromise " you name it and that fortunately is solve: no compromises at all.

If you want a first rate MM/MI alternative that happen is a P-mount design ( where you can attest or not about your concern. ) you can get ( by " cents ". ) the Azden YM-P50VL in NOS condition ( that I name it in the review. ) here with Nick: clock3153@hotmail.com

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Don_c55: +++++ " The "Absolute best of" Posts are ridiculous! " +++++

maybe yes and maybe not, it depend of what audio item we are talking about, what surrounded that audio item, whom are talking about and why are talking about ( between other things ).

This is what I posted in the thread: +++++ " to know for the " best " " audio item " that IMHO and till today does not exist in " absolute " meaning. " +++++

so in principle/beginning I agree with you but the world as life and everything that surrounded us ( including audio ) in more or less way is changing in a constant way.

I like to ask me " stupid " or unorthodox questions: hey what happen if instead to use a " normal/usual " VTA/SRA set up I change for an unusual ( very high. ) one ? hey what happen if instead to use the " normal " ( rule ) load for MM cartridges at 47K to 100K? hey what happen if I don't use any plinth with my TT? and many other questions and you know what I always discover/learn something for the better or wrong that when " for the better " many times goes against the usual " paradigms/myths "/establishment in audio even against Theory.

This thread is more to ask to every one of us to leave behind us those old paradigms/myths ( not all of them. ) that could stop growing the high end audio industry in detriment/against of the music enjoy.

This Technics cartridge is IMHO a very good example that could give us the opportunity to be and think not only different but oriented to improve faster what we have on hand today. I will try through this thread along other contributors to explain that almost always exist the " best of.." audio item.

+++++ " LOMC are always superior (in long term listening) to MM/MI " +++++

That the Technics cartridge is a MM design it does not have importance and the thread is not the place to analize LOMC against MM , if you want to know more about please go to that long MM/MI thread where you can find several answers/experiences from many people that think in different way you do even they think the subject is " the other way around "!

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Halcro: Thank you. I think that we can grow up faster if we take out/off the very old " spider's web " we each one has at the " ceiling ".

If each one of us almost always are on the quest of better home audio system quality performance then it makes sense to use and ask and try every " road " we think could/can help to be nearest to that target quest, even " crazy/stupid " ideas!: Henry I learn that not all are/is already writed on high end Audio! and we are so fortunate to be part of the " future " writings because we are actors not mere spectators.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Alun: IMHO any additional gain stage like is need it in LOMC cartridges only can makes a signal degradation, normally in audio " less means more " but this is not what or can tell the whole " history ", maybe in other thread we could discuss deepest that subject.

Thank you to been here. What do you think on " the best " cartridge ever? makes sense to you?

regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

I guess I will find out.

Got one of Raul's worlds best cartridges - Technics EPC-P100C-MK4 in transit.

Will be fun comparing it to my Ortofon A90 after it arrives.