Is There An "Absolute" Best Cartridge?

Dear Travbrow: ++++++ " The things that make me wonder,why some of the new "state of the art" cartridges are not much better than some of "state of the art" models from 20-30 years ago.. " ++++++

there are many reasons ( each one of us have an opinion ) about from the " who cares " audio industry on the customers needs, poor voicing audio items design, only commercial oriented products, " corrupted " professional reviewers, non know-how, audio establishment, no research any more, etc, etc of course there are exceptions ( designers, reviewers, etc, etc ) to those facts. We need a new thread only to try to have answers precise answers to your critical question because this happen not only with cartridges but with other audio items/links that conform the audio chain.

+++ " Its a shame Technics/Panasonic doesn't produce these fine cartridges anymore. " +++++

agree and I can add that it is a shame that other manufacturers already " disappear " and that some great audio item designers already almost lose the " emotion " and old attitude that when they start theirs " history " in the audio industry, not all of course but many. Same for pro-audio reviewers.

In many ways I think that always ( time to time ) is important to think/return to our " roots " to remember why we are HERE and what put me HERE.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Mosin: +++++ " I own a 205, and it is a stellar cartridge that competes even with the $5000 MC I have. " +++++

well I appreciate that people like you take the time to try old analog source alternatives like the MM/MI one.

That the audio establishment already preclude its existence does not means it is not there alive and waiting for all of us to give each one great rewards.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Even if there was an "absolute" best cartridge, we couldn't agree on it anyway. When it comes to audio, there are no "absolutes" that I am aware of that all audiophiles would agree on. The only thing I *think* that you could get audiophiles to agree on is that if you are dead, you are absolutely dead and even this is doubtful.

Hey Raul,

You have devoted a lot of time in these threads about MM cartridges, I tried to read the "who needs an MC when we have MM thread", but I just can't follow this, too many variables and I do not have time. From what I see in this posting, is this a sidestep to regenerate a similar thread? I state this because you have already referenced the original thread several times and this appears to be a form of circular news posting about the merits of MM.

Don't get me wrong, from I have read from you, you provide a lot of technical information. From an fellow agoner though, I am pretty sure we don't need another thread started with the same information that is already posted in the other thread. I think that for reference purpsoses, as you have done, that is okay, but I would like to see a valid thread about the best cartridge in the world, and if you are going to argue that it is an MM, then this thread will be the same as the other thread.

All that being said, my MC is WAY better than your MM! I know because I am using an MC it and it sounds absolutely beautiful and.......blah blah blah.
Ciao,
Audioquest4life

Dear Audioquest4life: Certainly not. I give answer according what people posted.

You can read this ( in the thread ) in one of my posts/answer that confirm which is or not the thread subject:

+++++ " 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. " +++++

I have to answer six other posts more thread subject oriented.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.