'Diamond' cantilevers: a man's best friend?


An increasing number of cartridge manufacturers is offering models with 'diamond' cantilevers at the top of their range, generally priced at the wrong side of $10k. The price hike compared to - otherwise identical - models with boron (or other) cantilevers runs in the multiple thousands.

Can anyone explain why? Is this just an artificial price point to emphasize exclusivity or does it have to do with material or manufacturing cost, even if there's not much material to begin with? And speaking of artificial, are these cantilevers made from 'real' diamond, or some industrial type? Are all diamond cantilevers created equal or do we see a variety of diamond-like materials sold as 'real' diamond? And what about the rare 'one piece' diamond stylus/cantilevers used in a few vintage cartridges (Sony XL-88D, Dynavector, Kiseki Lapis Lazuli); are these new top dollar diamond cantilever cartridges (like some Koetsu's, Ortofon MC Century, Transfiguration Orpheus Diamond, etc.) of the 'one piece' type? And if not, what is the presumed advantage compared to ruby, sapphire, boron or any other cantilever materials? In short: does anyone know what the 'diamond' cantilever landscape really looks like?

And finally the really important question: do 'diamond' cantilevers - all else being equal - offer superior performance that would begin to justify the price difference? Has anyone done the required comparative listening?

PS: a have a nice collection of MC's with a variety of cantilever materials: sapphire, ruby, boron, aluminium, beryllium, or some combination of materials. But not 'diamond' (real or otherwise), so I'm curious to find out if I'm missing out on something.



edgewear
@rauliruegas All of those numbers are for wire/rods. Please show me Young’s modulus for diamond rod versus boron pipe. A boron pipe will be significantly more rigid than the numbers for boron rod you have listed. Boron pipe will be as rigid as a diamond rod and much lighter.
@rauliruegas 
I think I can agree with your "sum of the parts" conclusion, which seems to emphasize the importance of the talents of the designer. After all he's the guy who's putting the parts together. No gals as yet I believe, but this might change with the current 'diamond' fad.....

It also confirms my own - limited - experience that modern cartridges are not necessarily superior to succesful older designs.  Apparently even if they're as old as those '60's ADC's.

It seems there are no new 'magical' parts or materials that give modern cartridges a decisive 'edge' over vintage ones. Only 'magical marketing', which would include those 'diamond' cantilevers....