The greatest MM and MI cartridges ....

B&O MMC-2.

Dear Bifwynne: IMHO yes. Mine coming from there but if you want the Virtuoso " glory " don't change the cantilever build material: aluminum.

Now, if you already own the Virtuoso and want to hear it again but with some improvement then you have other option: go to LPGear and buy a stylus replacement for the Audio Technica AT95-SA :

http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGATN95SA.html

the Virtuoso is build by Audio technica and according to experts here on Agon ( Fleib and others. ) the used model was the AT-95 ( while with differences. ) and you can change your Virtuoso stylus for the AT and test it. I own the AT-95SA ( Shibata stylus shape against elliptical in the Virtuoso. ) and it is very good performer if not at the same Virtuoso level but the Shibata will help the Virtuoso ( this came with aluminum cantilever too. ).
This one could help you too:

http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGATN95VL.html

If you decide to try it then we in the MM/MI long thread will appreciate that you share your experiences about with us, either: through AT options or SS re-tip.
Thank you in advance.

Btw, here you can read a Virtuoso review:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ranlg&1313624221&&&/Clearaudio-Virtuoso-Wood-Cartridge-

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Raul.

Dear Griffithds: ++++ " It's depressing to know that I currently own a $3500 MC (Benz Micro Ruby III), that can only sightly better a couple of the cartridges that I mentioned. I hav other MC's that can't beat ANY of them! " +++++

that's what I found out 4-5 years ago and I never felt " depressing " but excited for the new " discover " and I can tell you that till today that kind of excitement still there. I can tell you that my MM/MI discovery was when I already invested over 100K only in LOMC cartridges. Now, I have two alternatives for my LPs, time to time I listen my LOMC ones and I borrow/ed latest LOMC cartridges from my friends.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Bifwynne,
I agree with Rauliruegas. The SS retip did improve what was already an excellent cartridge. We are talking hear the SS basic, $150 retip. Yes, there is 2 other options from SS for additional charges, but it requires the cantiliver to be change to gem stone instead of alum. Personelly, I would be afraid it would no longer sound like a Virtuoso wood. You might like it better, you might not?

Hi Raul,

+++++"that's what I found out 4-5 years ago and I never felt " depressing " but excited for the new " discover " and I can tell you that till today that kind of excitement still there"++++.

If I put a average price (found on Audiogon or e/bay), of lets say $150 for any of the past top teir cartridges we talk about, I could have purchased and been listening to 23 of them instead of just the 1 Ruby III. I doubt if either you or I could wear out 23 top teir cartridges in whats remaining of our lives. I could wear out the Ruby in a couple of years. That's the depressing part. And yes, I'm thrilled that we can still find the old gems and have NOS stylus suplies from people like LP gear, W. Thacker, etc.