opinions on the blue point special

The BPS is a piece of garbage. Buy the Benz Micro MC-Gold for $350 new. You'll be glad you did.

I had a bluepoint special and a grado platinum before I went to a dynavector 10X4, it's not even a contest! The 10X4 whips them both so badly it's not funny. Give the 10X4 a listen if you have the opportunity. Bill

I tried one a few years ago and returned it because of a channel imbalance. Other than that it was pretty good. Kelly is right, cartridges are very system dependent. But I think you knew that and that's why you asked the questions you did. If you audtion the cartridge try to listen to it in a system like yours. My impression is that the BPS has a tipped up upper range and doesnt do well in bright systems unless that's what you like to hear. I actually went with a standard Blue Point because Im not buying any new vinyl, just use my record player to listen to old records once in a while. My system is a little soft and it works fine. I always liked the Dynavectors better than the Grados too. Havent heard either lately.

Whenever a component becomes VERY popular, it becomes a target for ridicule. Everything wipes it out. But consider that it's very popular for a reason (and it's not very heavy advertising). It is a fine cartridge at a reasonable price that plays well in a large variety of systems. It's dynamic, colorful and offers the opportunity to enjoy a moving coil cartridge with an absolutely silent background in systems designed for moving magnets.

i think all of the above posts make sense though some are apparently in conflict (imho they're all correct)...but of course that's what these forums are all about. i will only tell you that i sheared the stylus off my BPS once, then followed that minor disaster with the maid having a go at it just after i had the cartridge repaired ( i've now sat with the TT like this until i decide on my next move - fear can be a paralyzing thing!)

but i digress...i thought the cartridge was A-OK, not especially emotional in my system and not especially rich but, compared to digital (i have a Naim 3.5 CDP), definitely a step up.

the problem with trying to figure out what cartridge to go with and why forums regarding cartridges can be helpful and confusing at the same time is that there is no easy way to audition this piece of equipment in your system (or even at an audio store these days, for that matter). that is why a experienced friend or (gulp) dealer can be really helpful. good luck

glr