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Cartridges: Complete Scam?

I’m very new to analog, and researching my options on forums I keep coming across the same sentiment: that past the ultra low-end cartridges, there is very little gains in actual sound quality and that all you’re getting are different styles and colorations to the sound.

So, for example, if I swapped out my $200 cartridge that came with my table for a Soundsmith, Dynavector, Oracle, etc, I may notice a small improvement in detail and dynamics, but I’m mostly just going to get a different flavor. Multiple people told me they perffered thier old vintage cartridges over modern laser-cut boron-necked diamonds.

It’s possible that these people are just desperately defending thier old junk and/or have never heard high end audio. But if what they’re saying is true, than the cartridge industry is a giant SCAM. If I blow 2.5k minimum on an Air Tight I better get a significant improvement over a $200 bundler — and if just all amounts to a different coloration, than that is a straight-up scam ripoff.

So guys — are these forums just BS-ing me here? Is it really a giant scam?
madavid0

Showing 5 responses by inna

inna
5,245 posts
 
It doesn't matter who and what the OP is. For as long as we are talking analog not digital, it is fine
inna
5,245 posts
 
I wouldn't be so harsh and I have an advice - if your tuntable/tonearm/phono are good enough "blow $2.5k minimum on an Air Tight I" and see for yourself. Or do you want us to "blow" this kind of money and give you a free decision-making advice? What do you offer to contribute to this forum?
But yes, some do prefer some vintage cartridges to most or all modern ones, for whatever reasons, others don't and yet others have a more complex nuanced case by case opinion. Prices are high, true,
but we pay far more in taxes to our caring government to keep watch over us, so why not pay a little more ?
inna
5,245 posts
 
My approach is simple. I upgrade the cartridge last. For as long as I hear improvements while upgrading other elements of the chain I will not touch it. So, trust your hearing, be nice to your wallet and stay cool. When the time to upgrade comes, I will have a small problem because you can't buy them try them and return. Either I will do it with a few used ones or take my best guess with either new or used. Ideally I would want to upgrade arm, cartridge and phono at the same time, at least arm and cartridge. But if you have a Continuum with SAT tonearm and Ypsilon phono stage you better try just about anything regardless of price. A lot of work, but fun too. Poverty is not a sin but it sucks.
inna
5,245 posts
 
I thought you cartridge guys would align by ear. It might take a lot of time, true. When using alignment tools, any tools, how can you be sure that they give you the best result ? Very uncool of you. And incorrect.
inna
5,245 posts
 
Cartridge alignment is like cleaning records. Whatever you do it will never be perfect. No wonder people always upgrade cartridges instead of aligning the old ones properly. Many report that Mint protractor is currently the most accurate tool. So whatever you used before it gave you misalighned cartridges. Mint also gives you cartidges that are off the alignment, you simply don't know it yet and maybe even cannot accept that it might be the case. Good luck, anyway. 
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