opinions on favorite cartridge

I've heard lots of cartridges but only the 17d2 on your list. I really enjoyed it but found that for a little more money the entry level Lyra's are better.

I also think a phono stage upgrade could change your life. Looking at you equipment, I imagine a tube unit would match nicely and balance the sound out in a very satisfying way. You can really squeeze more sound out of every cart on your list.

Of the many you have listed I have enjoyed both Clearaudio Aurum Beta Wood and Benz Micro Glider II both are excellent at their price points with light jazz, smooth jazz and acoustic and vocals.(Clearaudio Performance SE CMB table)

I would just like to comment that with the level of your system and turntable arm combinations it appears that you like to acquire equipment. Just looking at the number of cartridges you have etc. Are you sure you are not focusing on the right things? Like love and appreciation for music and not the collection of more gear. You may confuse yourself with too many options instead of maximising your primary source.

I would sell off most of those cartridges and phono/pre you have acquired and purchase the Lyra Titan and a mid to upper level tube phono pre. I prefer the KISS principle as you can tell.

I guess its hard to get an answer to my original question, and as usual, people think they need to answer questions not asked, but I will try to address those concerns.

First, I have all these different options because I was able to purchase them at extremely good prices, used of course. In some cases, I was the only bidder, at a very low price, and didnt expect to win, but I did. I doubt that my entire investment in cartridges would equal the price of a Titan at retail.

While some of you may have good memory retention for the sound of components, I guess I dont. If I started to test each combination I own, by the time I got to the last one I would have no idea what the first one sounded like. And sometimes I just like the sound of a combination for no particular reason other than I like it. So I use that combination for a while until I get a wild hair and try something else, or another great deal comes along.

While it may seem that I collect, rather than enjoy, I can assure you I have spent much more on vinyl than I have on equipment, and have well over 5000 albums, even after getting rid of my albums back in the 80s when I bought into the CD myth. Havent bought a CD in more than 15 years. I spend a lot more of my time listening to music than I do fiddling with equipment.

That said, I do appreciate the workmanship involved in building a turntable, and the craft involved in cartridges and tonearms. You will notice from my system description that many of my items are vintage and were state of the art when they were first released. Not having the ability to listen to higher end equipment locally, I have no way of knowing how much difference any upgrade would provide.

I dont need someone to tell me what I want to listen to. I was just asking for opinions from the wide range of members here who may have more experience with these cartridges than I do. I have enjoyed each and every one of the cartridges listed at one time or another.

I do agree that I should probably trim down my collection, but I'm not in any hurry to do so. I am building a 3 arm DIY table just for fun and maybe testing purposes. One of the arms will be a Sumiko MMT with removeable headshell for quicker comparisons. The other two arms will be a Roksan Tabriz, Rega RB300, Grace 704 or Linn Ittok.

I am interested in the comments regarding upgrading the phono stage before upgrading a cartridge. I do find the SimAudio and GCPH to be much better than anything I used before, and the GCPH with remote runs straight into my amp which I like, along with its many loading options. There arent many phono preamps that have a volume control, easy loading options and a remote.

So, any more thoughts on my original question?

You are right. I wish I had your problem. All of your equipment is very good and only you can decide which cartridge tonearm combo sounds best to u. Trust your ears because noone else has your identical taste in music.

I would with no problem use top of the line cartridges with GPCH phonostage. It's realy a winner in this business.