Cartridge wars

After trying several different cartridges with my VPI HW-19 Mk4 / Rega RB-900 (now RB-1000), I eventually chose the Grado Reference ($1200, 4.5 mV output). I have been extremely pleased with it. It is very quick (close to the best moving coils), has excellent tonal balance from top to bottom, conveys a nearly holographic soundstage on well-recorded LP's, and is extremely musical.

If reviews/ratings from the high-end audio mags provide a useful comparison for you, be aware that TAS lists the Grado Reference as one of its "recommended cartridges", and selected it as an "Editor's Best Buy" in the Oct-Nov 2003 issue of the magazine. The one "downside" to Grado cartridges is their susceptibility to hum induced by the turntable motor. I have not found this to be a problem with my VPI HW-19 Mk4.

TAS also recommends the following cartridges in your general price range:
1. Dynavector Karat 17D Mk2 ($750)
2. Ortofon Kontrapunkt B ($900)
3. Sumiko Celebration ($1500)

When I contacted VPI about a year ago regarding a cartridge recommendation for my VPI Aries the Dynavector Karat 17D Mk2 was at the top of their list for under $1000.

Note, the Dynavector Karat is a very low voltage cartridge. Make sure your phono stage has adequate step up otherwise you will have no volume.

My taste in music has been asked, and fortunately (or maybe not), I listen to just about everything. So for me, the cartridge with the best balance is what I'm after. I don't want a cartridge that performs exquisitely in one area and fails miserably in another. Rather, I'd like something well rounded rather than over the top or vivid per se.

It sounds like you want a cartridge that's easy to listen to over the long haul, understated rather than overstated. There's two that come to mind that are both off your projected budget by a bit: the Sumiko Celebration at $1500 and the Shure V15MRx5 at $300.

Don't scoff at the Shure: if you check TAS reviewer systems, many, if not most, use the Shure on their reference 'tables, regardless of price. I've compared it to many, and whenever I put it on as opposed to the rest of my cartridge collection, I simply spend hours listening to all of my records, and leave it set up for months. Cartridges that excel in certain areas tend to make you play only those records which are very well recorded, restricting your collection. Curiosity drives me to the rest of my cartridges, MCs and MMs, to see what I'm missing. And while the Shure is not the most detailed in the world (don't take this to mean it isn't, though), those instruments it captures, it captures perfectly so you think "Ah, so that's what it is!" This cartridge has incredible bass, is tonally accurate, and gets the rhythm right, so you just don't care, it sounds "right".

The Sumiko probably ups the ante. Otherwise, the Grado is very smooth, quite detailed, while being dynamic and never harsh (I own one of these as well), and excels in the midrange, but is still quite good at the frequency extremes. On the right 'table and system (unfortunately not mine: make sure you have an excellent MM phono stage), it is musically astonishing, makes the hairs stand up on your body, a very rare experience. Sumiko has their heart in the right place - music at a good price - it would be interesting to see how the Blackbird stacks up. All the other cartridges mentioned here sound good as well, and I will likely buy a Dynavector 17D MkII soon, to add to my collection. An embarrassment of riches, but I include the Shure because price isn't always an indicator of quality, and it may in fact be the best in the world at not interfering, and making everything sound equally good. Technicolour is fun, but gets tiring in the long haul (which is why I keep my Shure). If you go for the Blackbird, post a review/discussion!