is there any discontinued cartridge that worth seeking

[michaelwnz]

Vinyl's heyday may have been in the 70s/80s in terms of sales but the quality of playback equipment has never been higher nor has their value for money.

Just take a look at the product ranges from Pro-Ject, Dynavector et al.

I've heard a few of the oldies mentioned by siniy123 and whilst some were good, even back then they were not without criticism. Most were highly coloured and had major performance limitations.

I would gladly take a current entry level Lyra or Shelter over any of those..
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cheers,

[1200y3]

The quality of playback equipment may be better, but machanical cartridge design hasn't needed to be taken seriously since the obsolesence of vinyl. Cartridge building requires longer production time, adjustment and quality control, union labour, ability to keep up with styles, etc. In the last twenty years that must have gone up in price.

But the mysteries of cartridge design are easier to understand and it is more now about tooling and material sourcing. As well as business decisions.

So as far as it goes collecting cartridges, I beat my V15 with a cactus thorn and a Finetone stylus tip. That can be done to any cartridge.

[fantasia]

quote:I think older top cartridges in good shape are much better values for the money, since VdH offers $300 VdH1 retips with boron cantilevers. I don't prefer older cartridges, but I won't pay $3000 for a cartridge either. So I think there really is a place for older cartridges.

thank you desktop, my sentiments as well but ihave not owned your range or heard such an extensive group of cartridges but $3000 for a cartridge is steep when you can get a classic re built for much less!!!!!!!!

Hence why carts such as the Grace F-9E are sought after and ruby cantilevered for a lot less tham $3000, as would be possible with many old classics!!!!!!!!!


My very interesting experience with the LP Gear Deft-2 a Sumiko oyster
with a HE stylus. Was a n eye opener!!!!!!!

IT was quite a nice cartridge but could not match my AT12/311E clone with an ATS12S Shibata stylus or my Excel ES 70x4 Shibata!!!!!!

Both of which are 1970s and second hand and cheap and for me cheap and plentiful supply of stylii for both!!!!!!!


Fantasia



Ps i do lust after a Grace F-9 to have "rubied" or an AT 15SS!!!!!

[satanfriendly]

As you can probably tell from the enthusiasm found in it, the Goldring G900IGC.

From my own past

Goldring G800 (really)
AT OC 5 and 7 as stated
AT ATF 3 and 5
Dynavector Karat ruby
Shure V15 III
Nagaoka Stliton bodied cartrdiges

I'm often looking at for bargain AKG's and ADC's so I can see for myself why they were so rated in their day.
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A sure cure for seasickness is to sit under a tree

[nailer]

[nailer]

Audio Technica AT-ML170 (best ever MM?)
Stanton 881s
Grace 9E & 9 Ruby
Grado Signature 8M

All but first are regularly available and the Grado can be gound for under $80.

[siniy123]

[Bigears]

Sumiko may well be less mainstream in sheer corporate size than many other manufacturers but they do in fact produce great cartridges. The Blackbird has been around for years and some would argue (including a certain chap from Stoneaudio) that they can achieve Lyra like transparency and detail. Their only failing, especially with the older models is the lift in higher frequencies (not so much nowadays) making some models a little harsh if badly partnered (the early BP was very harsh), and to some extent a slight variation between carts. The latter point can be the difference between buying a good "average" Sumiko (an here, I especially refer to the BPS Evo models) and a superb performer.

Great value carts, in my book anyway.
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If it aint broke, dont fix it

[satanfriendly]

[bastlnut]

[silviajulieta]

Dear Ram7: Worth seeking?, well as other people post I agree: there are many options.

If you want to have and hear the best quality performance that can be achieved by a cartridge source IMHO you have to go for the MM/MI alternative ( no LOMC cartridge any can do it. ).

Which ones?, some of the already name it that I repeat along others, all these cartridges I own and tested against MC ( I own/owned or hearing any almost any single top LOMC cartridge, the last one was the A90 by Ortofon. ) and other MM/MI cartridges and IMHO I find/found are the best of the bunch:

AKG P-100LE ...................... ( nothing can touch it, the best ever. )
Technics epc-100c mk4........ ( the second one. )
Audio technica ATML-180 OCC ( near the second one. )
Audio Technica ATML-170 OCC ( very near the 180 OCC. )
Audio Technica AT-ML160-LC/OCC ( hard to beat. )
Ortofon M20E/FL Super............ ( Ortofon best ever, either. )
Microacoustics MA-630/830...... ( somethiong to hear. )
B&O MMC1/2.......................... ( unbelievable tiny cartridges. )
Technics U205CMK4................. ( another Technics excellence. )
Sonus Dimension 5................... ( you can't ask for more. )
Grace F9-Ruby......................... ( you have to hear it. )
Signet TK10-ML2/3....................... ( Very competitive. )
Empire 1000Z/xe...................... ( Perhaps the best Empire ever. )
Andante P-76............................ ( No one MC can touch it. )
ADC Astrion-TRX-1.................... ( both great performers. )
Grado Amber The Tribute........... Joe Grado's pride. ).
Nagaoka MP-50Super or MP-50 ( very good performers, the second more easy to find. )
Astatic MF series 100/200/300 ( all worth to seeking. )
Audio Technica At-24, AT20SS ( both splendid. )

Many of these cartridges likes be loaded at 100K/100pf ( impedance/capacitance. ), but this is system/ears dependent.

Have a good fun on your cartridge hunting.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
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Be truer to the recording: loosing and adding the less to the audio signal.

[silviajulieta]

Dear firnends: If any one of you are interested this seems to me like an good opportunity:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bi.....n-M20FL-Su

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
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Be truer to the recording: loosing and adding the less to the audio signal.

[silviajulieta]

Dear friends: Well unfortunately that little " gem " already gone. It is a winner, maybe next time if you are lucky enough to find it.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
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Be truer to the recording: loosing and adding the less to the audio signal.

[silviajulieta]

Dear friends: A new opportunity/how lucky you are. These Ortofon M20E Super and M20FL Super are a must to have and these ones are in NOS condition!:

http://stores.ebay.com/William.....ec0Q2em322

with my eyes " close " these Ortofon cartrridges ( MI ) beats almost any cartridge you own.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
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Be truer to the recording: loosing and adding the less to the audio signal.

[flavio81]