@inna not all vintage cartridges are great at all, but those cartridges tested my many of us are definitely great and superior to most of the modern MM cartridges and to most of the overpriced modern MC cartridges as well. The demand for the MM cartridges are not so big today, especially among audiophiles. The technologies and materials are way different, no more serious competition between the big companies for the best MM design like it was before. And finally we’re living in the digital era. I think the market for MM/MC cartridges is much smaller today compared to the 70s. Have you noticed the prices for the best MC cartridges? Then you can check the prices for the best vintage MM cartridges on secondhand market, some of them are similar in price to entry level hi-fi MM cartridges. It’s been said that we lost the craftsmanship in some way, an old masters are no longer available. It make sense to seach for vintage MM cartridges, because the price could be lower, but the quality most likely will be much higher. For $500-700 everyone could find outstanding vintage MM cartridge today (and 10 years ago they were much cheaper). An era for high compliance cartridges has ended, so i doubt modern MM cartridge can be as good as the vintage ones. Many manufacturers disappeared from the market in the 80s/90s. When people are talking about modern MM carts they are often mention same 3 models as robots in every post, but there are 30 more amazing vintage cartridges still available used, some of them are rare, but worth to try. That’s my arguments.
The name of this topic is "budget MM cartridge...", considering "best buy for less money" anyone should look for top vintage cartridges as the best option to get better performance level for lower price.
P.S. I just received Ortofon MC2000 in mint condition, i don’t think i can buy any better modern MC wihout paying 10 times more (i have owned some in the past). So this is also good argument to buy vintage MC cartridges.
