Hi MadavidO
I returned back to vinyl about 9 years ago. Although I had continued to collect some 78s over the years, this was the first time since about 1992 since I'd had a real set up. Since my return I've bought a hand full cartridges as well as had a chance to hear some different examples in shops including owning the Music Maker III. As beautiful and detailed as it was it did not have the slam and weight I was looking for, so I sold it. Plus I needed cash at the time and a nice gentleman now happily owns it. I know for a fact that there are plenty of people on this forum that have owned more examples than my self. I also understand that in general moving coils can slightly improve as the price climbs but here is my take.
OK for starts I am now running a Grado gold with a paratrace stylus on it that I potted with wax. Tracking, detail and realism are all top notch to me. The other two I've been bouncing between are ( Are you ready?) $60 Shure cartridges, the sc35c and the m35x. Both of these cartridges today are marketed as spin and mix DJ carts but have a professional hifi and broadcast history. Now I am using the n35x and a n44-gx stylus for lower tracking purposes. I'm also looking into a paratrace for these as well, simply because they sound very clear and balanced with an actual bass response that most of the more expensive cartridges I've owned lacked.
I have mentioned before here on this forum that I manufacture guitar pickups and grew up in the guitar building, repair and retail business.That does not necessarily make me an expert in high end home audio, nor do I mean to criticize the purchasing or quality of uber priced cartridges. The thing is with the exception of exotic stylus, quality magnets and coil wire is not that expensive. Of course there is the labor cost, but no guitar pickup manufacturer or a company like Shure who's been tooled up for years would even consider charging in the thousands for their products. Again if people want and can afford cartridges in that price range more power to them.
Just my take.
respectfully
JP:)
I returned back to vinyl about 9 years ago. Although I had continued to collect some 78s over the years, this was the first time since about 1992 since I'd had a real set up. Since my return I've bought a hand full cartridges as well as had a chance to hear some different examples in shops including owning the Music Maker III. As beautiful and detailed as it was it did not have the slam and weight I was looking for, so I sold it. Plus I needed cash at the time and a nice gentleman now happily owns it. I know for a fact that there are plenty of people on this forum that have owned more examples than my self. I also understand that in general moving coils can slightly improve as the price climbs but here is my take.
OK for starts I am now running a Grado gold with a paratrace stylus on it that I potted with wax. Tracking, detail and realism are all top notch to me. The other two I've been bouncing between are ( Are you ready?) $60 Shure cartridges, the sc35c and the m35x. Both of these cartridges today are marketed as spin and mix DJ carts but have a professional hifi and broadcast history. Now I am using the n35x and a n44-gx stylus for lower tracking purposes. I'm also looking into a paratrace for these as well, simply because they sound very clear and balanced with an actual bass response that most of the more expensive cartridges I've owned lacked.
I have mentioned before here on this forum that I manufacture guitar pickups and grew up in the guitar building, repair and retail business.That does not necessarily make me an expert in high end home audio, nor do I mean to criticize the purchasing or quality of uber priced cartridges. The thing is with the exception of exotic stylus, quality magnets and coil wire is not that expensive. Of course there is the labor cost, but no guitar pickup manufacturer or a company like Shure who's been tooled up for years would even consider charging in the thousands for their products. Again if people want and can afford cartridges in that price range more power to them.
Just my take.
respectfully
JP:)