$350 Cartridge

[Mechnutt]

How expensive are the giants it kills?

I was not claiming that they could sound better than high end cartridges but they can compete with many sub $1K cartridges. Its all relative. They punch above their price points. If you are looking for a cartridge in the $300 range that is going to sound better than say $800 and above, good luck.

 

[mep]

I was not claiming that they could sound better than high end cartridges but they can compete with many sub $1K cartridges. Its all relative. They punch above their price points. If you are looking for a cartridge in the $300 range that is going to sound better than say $800 and above, good luck.

That was kind of my point. I wanted to put a price tag on the giant people are trying to slay. Your giant is sub $1k.

 

[mep]

Oh mep, you clearly missed the memo. It’s a from the Audio-Borg “low output cartridges will only be sold from here on out.”

Keep up!


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Dammit! I did miss the memo!

 

[mep]

Ah, there we are, just as I thought! This is not about shopping phono carts, this is about arguing.

Exactly! If he was serious about looking for the best cartridge at a maximum price of $350 he would have told everyone in this thread what table, arm, and phono stage he has (assuming he even has a table). This thread is just another bitch fest.

 

[Mikado463]

Ah, there we are, just as I thought! This is not about shopping phono carts, this is about arguing.

I think the Op is concerned about the high price of high end. But , while prices do in fact continue to rise there are plenty of well priced examples of good kit in all areas from digital to analog.

 

[AJ Soundfield]

Joe, if it's any consolation, I was listening to a vinyl setup Sunday, where the needle was $5k. Yes, the needle.

 

[mep]

Joe, if it's any consolation, I was listening to a vinyl setup Sunday, where the needle was $5k. Yes, the needle.

Are you talking about a cartridge that has a replaceable stylus that costs $5k? If so, what cartridge is this?

 

[Audiophobiac]

Exactly! If he was serious about looking for the best cartridge at a maximum price of $350 he would have told everyone in this thread what table, arm, and phono stage he has (assuming he even has a table). This thread is just another bitch fest.

Yes, there are good carts for $350 and even below that! Also, yes, it is important to match cart and arm and without that info, it can't be done. The OP doesn't realize this or is purposely ignoring it. I don't think he would dig putting a low mass cart on a high mass arm, etc.

 

[AJ Soundfield]

what cartridge is this?

No idea, I'll ask.
Doubt it will help Joe ;-)

 

[Audiophobiac]

I think the Op is concerned about the high price of high end. But , while prices do in fact continue to rise there are plenty of well priced examples of good kit in all areas from digital to analog.

Yeah, I get that. I'm not an audiophile and my income does not allow me to even dream of anything in the mid four figures (at least not without saving for several years), but you are right. There are plenty of high value examples and more coming soon! The speaker market is a good example, more speakers are coming out that are dropping in price, but using the same technology and parts as the uber-expensive siblings! Some speaker manufactures and designers are figuring this out resulting in more choices! The days of having to spend five figures or high four figures for great revealing speakers are drawing to a close.
Also just because something doesn't have an "audiophile" badge or sticker on it and a five figure price or more, doesn't mean it is crap and isn't high-end or "audiophile".
I've heard entire systems costing less than $5k blow away systems costing double that or more. Set-up is part of the secret.
There is a fair choice of gear out there that punch well about its price and a bit more coming. Sure, maybe the cartridge market has gotten tight with some gouging taking place, but with all the carts out there (nearly too many to count), there is still something for everyone. Prices are in constant flux, so I imagine when the cart makes figure out that they can't ride on the analog vinyl renaissance the way they think, they will adjust. (Simple business equation: lower price = sell more units = larger profit). They will figure that out, no worries. I see it happen from time to time.
As for carts though we have to keep in mind the labor involved. For instance, the Ortofon 2M series from the Bronze up are 100% hand made. Even the 2M Blue is 60% hand made! The folks that do this deserve to be paid.

 

[Mike]

Yeah, I get that. I'm not an audiophile and my income does not allow me to even dream of anything in the mid four figures (at least not without saving for several years), but you are right. There are plenty of high value examples and more coming soon! The speaker market is a good example, more speakers are coming out that are dropping in price, but using the same technology and parts as the uber-expensive siblings! Some speaker manufactures and designers are figuring this out resulting in more choices! The days of having to spend five figures or high four figures for great revealing speakers are drawing to a close.
Also just because something doesn't have an "audiophile" badge or sticker on it and a five figure price or more, doesn't mean it is crap and isn't high-end or "audiophile".
I've heard entire systems costing less than $5k blow away systems costing double that or more. Set-up is part of the secret.
There is a fair choice of gear out there that punch well about its price and a bit more coming. Sure, maybe the cartridge market has gotten tight with some gouging taking place, but with all the carts out there (nearly too many to count), there is still something for everyone. Prices are in constant flux, so I imagine when the cart makes figure out that they can't ride on the analog vinyl renaissance the way they think, they will adjust. (Simple business equation: lower price = sell more units = larger profit). They will figure that out, no worries. I see it happen from time to time.
As for carts though we have to keep in mind the labor involved. For instance, the Ortofon 2M series from the Bronze up are 100% hand made. Even the 2M Blue is 60% hand made! The folks that do this deserve to be paid.

Agreed on the Ortofon’s! Even a 2M red is excellent for the money. 2M Blue is a nice step up.

I personally wouldn’t poo-poo Moving Magnet. They can sound great, cost less and much easier to pair with a Phonostage.


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[Audiophobiac]

Agreed on the Ortofon’s! Even a 2M red is excellent for the money. 2M Blue is a nice step up.

I personally wouldn’t poo-poo Moving Magnet. They can sound great, cost less and much easier to pair with a Phonostage.


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Indeed! I personally think both MM and MC can sound fantastic equally, its all in setup.
I personally prefer MM because of:
Just easier
Easier to pair with phono stages
Less expensive (can replace stylus if one wants as well)
More flexible (you can swap out styli all day in the 2M series for example)
More choices out there, but the MC carts are not far behind

I also hear rumor that some of the more expensive cart makes (our European friends) are coming out with less expensive versions of their higher priced carts as in less than four figures and will likely sound fantastic. Keep an eye on EATs Mrs. Josephine Lichtenegger, I think she is working on that very thing. She just came out with a couple of nicely affordable tables! (No surprise, look who she is married to and how very nice of a person she is).

 

[bluegrassphile]

Y

Right, but it’s also low output. This exercise is pointless anyway. He’s not listing his table, arm, or phono stage so it’s impossible to recommend a cartridge without that info-never mind the price constraints and the aspiration to kill giants.

I'm currently not well informed about TTs and cartridges but in the OP's case it sounds like he might be better off purchasing a $400 to $800 TT with cartridge than a cartridge alone. I'm kind of in a similar position with my early '90s Technics quartz/auto DD turntable. Although it's likely not worth much and the sound is likely average by today's standards. By the time I purchase a cartridge for it I'd be 1/2 way to a decent TT and cartridge. I don't know this for sure as I don't currently have an amp to try things out. I will after the first of the year. But it seems to me there are some "decent" sounding TTs (with cartridge in some cases) in the $400 to $800 price range, give or take a hundred dollars. Am I wrong with my thinking on that?

https://www.audioadvice.com/content/10-best-turntables-under-500/

 

[mep]

I'm currently not well informed about TTs and cartridges but in the OP's case it sounds like he would be better off purchasing a $400 to $800 TT with cartridge than a cartridge alone. I'm kind of in a similar position with my early '90s Technics quartz/auto DD turntable. Although it's likely not worth much and the sound is likely average by today's standards. By the time I purchase a cartridge for it I'd be 1/2 way to a decent TT and cartridge. I don't know this for sure as I don't currently have an amp to try things out. I will after the first of the year. But it seems to me there are some "decent" sounding TTs (with cartridge) in the $400 to $800 price range, give or take a hundred dollars. Am I wrong with my thinking on that?

You would be far better off if you run with your gut feeling. You can buy some decent used tables in the $600-$800 range.