opinions on the blue point special

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

glr, i tink all the posts above are basically correct - w/one glaring exception - the one that sez the bps is a piece of garbage. it may be many tings, but a piece of trash it definitely ain't. may be better or worse in some systems than others, compared w/other cartridges both more-n-less expensive than it, but it doesn't make it garbage. excesive hyperbole here, imho.

due to your correct comments about the difficulty in trying to match a cartridge to your system, i'd suggest (for those of us on a budget!) trying to get as much info as possible, from reviews, a-gon, comments/listening to friends' systems, etc. then, set yer budget, & try to find the best, most expensive pre-owned/demo cartridge ewe can, that made it to yer short-list of what ya may tink will work in yer system. while it may not ultimately be the best cartride for yer system, it will surely be at least as good as anything yule be able to buy brand-gnu at its price, & it will save ya lotsa time-n-money trying to audition multiple cartridges.

meantime, i'm currently using an ortofon mc-25fl that i picked up from the needle-dr for $225 (permanently on-sale fro its $450 list price?). this replaced a blue-point i used prewiously, & i tink it's outstanding for its price. the blue-point was nuttin' to sneeze at either, imho. in fact, the ortofon is so nice, i *still* haven't gotten 'round to tryin' the vandenhul-rebuilt lyra clavis that i picked up for a song, using my prewiously-described method for getting a cartridge better-n-ewe can afford! ;~) i've heard good tings about the the lyra, & i got it, gnuly re-built, for ~80% of retail...

regards, doug s.

oops, 80% of retail doesn't sound wery good, i meant 80% *off* retail! ;~)

Duddy,those Dead concerts really had an efffffect on you!

I auditioned a Project Wood table with this cartridge and it didn't sound "special" to me. I found an Ortofon cartridge that sounded better, not as thin through the upper bass.