Is There An "Absolute" Best Cartridge?

Can anybody advise the differences between the Acutex 312, 315 and 320 III bodies - are they the same and it is only the stylus-cantilever that differs between the models, or is each body manufactured to different specifications?

Pardon my ignorance of this detail but any help would be gratefully appreciated in the search for low cost MM nirvana.

Cheers,

Alex L

Dear Alexl7333: LPM 315 and 320 share same cartridge body/motor but not the 312.

regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear No_regrest: The source is the net, you have to convert in a " hunting man " on MM/MI cartridges.

It is a patience work but the rewards are very often great ones.

Our time ( today ) IMHO is the best time to try to find and test these vintage and humble MM/MI cartridges. We can find it at " ridiculous " low prices and enjoy it with our current audio system that is a lot lot better than the one we owned 30-40 years ago that is the time where all those cartridges " belong ".

I really think that the people that already give ( and give him self ) an opportunity ( where no one has nothing to loose. ) to this analog source MM/MI alternative have the privilege a unique privilege to hear/heard a " new " audio experience with notable differences on the LOMC alternative.

Yes, IMHO this is the time and maybe never come back because this analog source alternative is not part of the AHEE.

I have to say that the MM/MI alternative is so good that even cartridge owners with system limitations on a better set up : load impedance/capacitance/direct connection on P-mount ones or samples with integrated headshell, etc. are enjoying it even that are not on optimum circumstances!!!

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

While it is good and may seem logical to have your 8-9 prime demo cuts you always go to when evaluating a new component, it is also fraut with danger - "familiarity breeds contempt".

We humans can have a tendancy with very familar material to all ready have a " preferred sound" we are evaluating in our heads. We begin to somewhat stop listening to the music and listen to our pre conceived "preferred sound" checklist. As Lew said, you then play less familar/new music and the results are not always as convincing.

I fully agree with Lew. You need to live with a new component and play LOTS of different music over a reasonable period of time, then go back to see if it really was an improvement or just different.

Of course, like Siniy said - there is no perfect cartridge for all music genres or recordinds within a genre - but sweepeing statements that MM is good for ex and MC's are better for y is also not correct.

And, I feel a lot better within myself that my Technics EPC100C is back as equal " best cartrigde" :-)

cheers

Shane,
The issue raised by this new "tie" for best cartridge is that the original premise of this thread is now endangered... there is no longer one "absolute best cartridge", but now two absolute bests... which brings into question the definition of 'absolute'...