Best Cartridges for the Money You've Experienced

Bolson,
Your original question seems to imply an interest in the issue of "value". I have a Sumiko Pearwood Celebration on my SME V arm. It cost only $1500 and is available for $2K today in an updated form. It competes well with more expensive cartridges on that arm and is considered one of the better "values" out there. It may or may not sound better than your Rosewood, BUT Sumiko is currently developing a $3K+ cartridge which should sound much better than the Celebration and it will be voiced on the SME V.

As you know, the cartridge/arm combination is critical, and my decision to buy it was based in strong part to the Celebration being developed on that particular arm. The new Sumiko Anniversary/SME V may be a great "value" combination if it can compete with the $5K and up cartridges out there, but you can't yet buy it. And it won't "break the bank" as you say.

Raul has also commented favorably on the value of the Celebration and on the combination of it on the SME V.

I had both the Shelter 501 and the fantastic 901. Both of these can deliver analog magic for a song. My ears and other fellow audiophiles tell me that if you don't listen too critically, you won't hear much of a difference between the Shelters and those megabuck pickups from other manufacturers.

Regards,
Aisip

My cartridge experience is thin compared to others. I loved the old shure series of MM cartridges(v15 series) and felt they were a great buy for the money at the time (mid 70 to 90's). I finally upgraded to a Van Den Hul frog, zyx airy3s and finally a universe. I think for the money the airy3s is a great cartridge, but the universe is better cartridge. Now having said that, the shure v15 type 3 was a great cartridge for 10% of the cost of the airy3s.

Koetsu Tiger Eye Platinum Diamond...
It is no surprise at it's retail ( who buys at retail though!). But to actually hear it...It replaced my ZYX Universe which I thought before that I will never part with. The immediate effect is that you turn off your sub - you get all the bass that you will ever need through your speakers. It brings about much bigger sound stage. Then is the lush, musicality and warmth which Koetsu line is so famous about. Nothing equals life performance but this brings you MUCH closer to it. It more than matches the dynamics and lower level details that the Universe is so good at.
If there is something better I'd LOVE to hear it! Anybody?

Lyra Argo

Several months ago I would certainly have said Denon DL103. However, the increase in performance for the money is unbelievable when going to the Argo. The Argo has the punch, life and boldness of the Denon with added refinement and resolution I would not have expected for this price.