Interesting, thanks
Grading phono cartridges Part 2.
Grading phono cartridges
This is my second posting on this subject. The initial posting was done in 2014. I was asked to put updates, and changes.
As before I remind to all respected Audiophiles- It
is my personal guidance in buying and selling cartridges. I do 30-100
transactions every month and I need these numbers handy.
Before you look at the list I have to tell, that I’m not putting it for public use to
be involved in any discussion or answer any questions. I’m also not affiliated
with any of the brand or model on the list (even I have done some grading and
testing for few analog brands and audio dealers around the world). I'm happy if
my observations and experience help you in any way. Also I always answer all questions related to my listings and try
to fulfill requests on some rare models. I'm proudly inform all my customers
that I'm involved in production o ViRa tonearms. Please visit my site
virahighend.com for more information and some rare cartridges as well.
All general grading philosophy rules are copied
from my previous posting.
1. The testing was done on High End set up worse
around $100K
2. The results are from the last 9 years
3. Most of the cartridge evaluations were done on
uni-pivot or bi-axis arms. Only about 20% are from tangential and air tangent
arms.
4. Most of the cartridges were tested on 2 or 3
arms (except really low end)
5. The ratio of used and new cartridges
approximately 85% used and 15% new- therefore some cartridges could be not
working up to specs 100%
6. I have few re-build and re-tipped cartridges
on the list and sometimes they sounded better then original, sometimes they sounded worth.
7. There are many cartridges that have better
sonic value, but lower position over all. Some cartridge have great appearance,
mounting and re-sale value, but sound mediocre. If cartridges have same grading
points I try to put higher on the list cartridges with better sonic value and
cheaper original sale price.
////////////////////
The grading philosophy.
For the simplicity I have 10 grading categories. Each categories worth 10 points. There are 3
technical categories and 7 sonic categories. The best and maximum score could be 100 point.
The 3 technical categories are:
1. Appearance/ Packaging
Packaging and appearance are very important for
re-sale value.
2. Mounting and aligning
75% of cartridge damage occur at the mounting
and aligning process. Scary but fact. We are not talking about catastrophic
damage, but also scratches, dings etc. Therefore threaded multiple holes on
square angled body would get 10point compare to a round body or other type of
mounting holes/hooks. I love Miyabi or Mark Levinson MLC cartridges, but it's
almost impossible to mount and align these visually.
3. Resale value
35 years old $230 Grace F-9 Ruby and 5 years old
$5000 Linn Arkiv have the same "street" re-sale value.
30 points max for technical grading.
/////////////////
The 7 sonic categories are:
1. Low frequency
2. Mid frequency
3. High frequency
4. Soundstage with and depth
5. Background noise
6. Dynamics
7. Overall presentation and impression
Everything is simple and clear. Cartridge
overall is the first link and lost or mis-represented information from the
record would never be restored no matter how much $$$ you will invest in the
other links of your system.
To summarize all these:
The numbers on the left represent current ranking.
The 3 numbers on the right are technical grading (30 max), sonic grading (70 max) and overall score(100 max)
BRAND MODEL TYPE TECH SONIC GRADE
- Symphonic Line RG-8L VDH MC 29 70 99
- ZYX Omega 4D G SB MC 29 69 98
- ZYX Omega 4D X SB MC 29 69 98
- Haniwa HCTR01 MC 28 69 97
- Shun Mook Reference 2 MC 29 68 97
- Aidas Panzerholz MC 27 69 96
- Megasonics (Win labs) MC-10 MC 27 69 96
- Charisma MC-2 MC 28 68 96
- EMT-Barco HSD-6 MC 28 68 96
- Kiseki Blue Gold Spot MC 28 68 96
- Krell/Miyabi KC-200 MC 28 68 96
- EMT HSD -5 MC 28 68 96
- Kiseki Blue Silver Spot MC 28 68 96
- MFSL Miyabi carbon MC 28 68 96
- Shinon Red Boron (retip) MC 28 68 96
- Transfiguration Temper Supreme MC 28 68 96
- Transfiguration Orpheus MC 28 68 96
- J.Allaerts MC-1 Boron MC 28 68 96
- J.Allaerts MC1 B MKII (retip) MC 28 68 96
- ZYX Universe S MC 28 68 96
- ZYX Universe XS MC 28 68 96
- Koetsu Urushi Gold SS retip MC 27 68 95
- Koetsu Onyx Platinum Signature Diamond MC 27 68 95
- Blue Electric Shake Streamliner MI 27 68 95
- Van Den Hul Black Beauty XSP MC 27 68 95
- Myajima Shilabe MC 27 68 95
- Benz Micro RUBY Z MC 27 68 95
- Benz Micro Ruby 2 MC 27 68 95
- Benz Micro Ruby 3 MC 27 68 95
- Bluenote Baldinotti Signature SS retip MC 27 68 95
- Sound Smith Voice MI 27 68 95
- Miyabi Cello MC 27 68 95
- Accuphase MC-2 MC 27 68 95
- Brinkman Pi MC 27 68 95
- Dynavector Te Kaitora Rua MC 28 67 95
- Miyabi/47 lab 4723 (bar base) MC 28 67 95
- Aidas BlackSound Diamond MC 28 67 95
- Aidas Purpleheart diamond MC 28 67 95
- Aidas Purpleheart ruby MC 28 67 95
- Goldbug Mrs. Brier MC 28 67 95
- Shelter 9000 MC 28 67 95
- Dynavector DRT XV-1 MC 28 67 95
- Dynavector DRT XV-1S MC 28 67 95
- Dynavector DRT XV-1T MC 28 67 95
- AKG P-100E MI 28 67 95
- EMT Brinkman MC 28 67 95
- Transfiguration Esprit MC 28 67 95
- Transfiguration Spirit MC 28 67 95
- Transfiguration Phoenix MC 28 67 95
- ZYX Yatra MC 28 67 95
- Thorens MCT-88 MC 26 68 94
- ADC TRX-3 MM 26 68 94
- Linn Akiva MC 26 68 94
- Ortofon MC-25FL MC 27 67 94
- Monster Cable Genesis 2000 MC 27 67 94
- Dr. Jazz Blue Note MC 27 67 94
- Benz Micro RUBY MC 27 67 94
- Garrott Brothers P-87 MC 27 67 94
- Van den Hul White Beauty MC 27 67 94
- Madrigal Carnegie-2 MC 27 67 94
- Aidas Red Heart Indian MC 27 67 94
- Aidas Red Heart Gabon MC 27 67 94
- EMT TU-3 MC 27 67 94
- Cardas Silver Heart Myrtle MC 27 67 94
- Koetsu Black MC 27 67 94
- Koetsu Black Goldline MC 27 67 94
- Koetsu Onyx MC 27 67 94
- Koetsu Onyx long body MC 27 67 94
- ADC Astrion MM 28 66 94
- Shinon Red MC 28 66 94
- Tsurugi Ceraloy MC 28 66 94
- Ikeda 9-CV/9-EM MC 28 66 94
- Sumiko Virtuoso Dti MC 29 65 94
- Sumiko Black Bird MC 29 65 94
- ADC TRX-1 MM 25 68 93
- ADC TRX-2 MM 25 68 93
- Korvet GZM 008 MM 26 67 93
- Denon S-1 MC 26 67 93
- Miyabi/47 lab 4723 (round base) MC 26 67 93
- Sony XL-55 MC 26 67 93
- Denon DL-107 MM 26 67 93
- Mark Levinson MLC-1 MC 27 66 93
- Benz Micro REF MC 27 66 93
- Shelter 7000 MC 27 66 93
- EMT XSD-15 VDHul MC 27 66 93
- Aidas BlackSound ruby MC 27 66 93
- Charisma Ref One MC 27 66 93
- Lyra Argo MC 27 66 93
- Rega Apheta MC 27 66 93
- Grace F-9R (Ruby) MM 27 66 93
- Technics EPC- 100C MKII MM 27 66 93
- Accuphase AC-1 MC 27 66 93
- Van Den Hul Black Beauty S/S retip MC 27 66 93
- Air Tight PC-1 MC 27 66 93
- Audio Note IO I MC 27 66 93
- ZYX R100 H MC 27 66 93
- ZYX R1000 MC 27 66 93
- ZYX R1000 Ayry2/s MC 27 66 93
- Van Den Hul Frog Gold MC 27 66 93
- Accuphase AC-3 MC 27 66 93
- Shelter 90X MC 27 66 93
- Benz Micro Wood M2 MC 27 66 93
- Benz Micro Wood H2 MC 27 66 93
- Audiotechnica 155MLX MM 28 65 93
- Denon A-100 MC 27 66 93
- AK Labs S-921 MC 27 66 93
- Ak Labs EC-3 (SS retip) MC 27 66 93
- Supex SD-901 Super MK4 MC 27 66 93
- Dynavector DV-XX-1L SS tip MC 27 66 93
- Kiseki Purpleheart(VDH tip) MC 28 65 93
- Goldbug Mr. Brier MC 28 65 93
- Spectral Reference Signature MC 28 65 93
- Monster Cable Alpha 2HO Ruby MC 25 67 92
- EMT TSD-15 MC 27 65 92
- Mission 773 VDH re-tip MC 25 67 92
- Audioquest AQ 7000 retipped MC 25 67 92
- Goldbug Clement II MC 25 67 92
- Argent MC-500HS MC 26 66 92
- Aidas AS-1 MC 26 66 92
- Denon 103SL Soundsmith MC 26 66 92
- AKG P-8 Aidas mods MI 26 66 92
- Clearaudio Victory H MC 26 66 92
- Dynavector Karat 23R MC 26 66 92
- Dynavector Karat Nova MC 26 66 92
- Van Den Hul Frog MC 27 65 92
- Van Den Hul Grasshopper GLA MC 27 65 92
- Van Den Hul Grasshopper GLA III MC 27 65 92
- Van Den Hul Grasshopper XGM III MC 27 65 92
- Van Den Hul Grasshopper SLN III MC 27 65 92
- Van Den Hul Grasshopper SLA III MC 27 65 92
- Van Den Hul Grasshopper SLA MC 27 65 92
- Van Den Hul Grasshopper GLZ MC 27 65 92
- Van Den Hul Grasshopper XGP MC 27 65 92
- Charisma MC-1 MC 27 65 92
- Benz Micro MC-1 MC 27 65 92
- Benz Micro REF 3 MC 27 65 92
- Clearaudio Concerto MC 27 65 92
- Dynavector DV-XX-2 MKII MC 27 65 92
- Transfiguration AF-1 MC 27 65 92
- Shelter 901 MC 27 65 92
- Koetsu Rosewood MC 27 65 92
- Koetsu Rosewood Red MC 27 65 92
- Koetsu Urushi Wajima MC 27 65 92
- Crown Jewel Reference MC 27 65 92
- ZYX R-50 Bloom MC 27 65 92
- Allnic Audio Verito Z MC 27 65 92
- Allnic Audio Puritas MC 27 65 92
- Elac EMC van den hul MC 27 65 92
- Ortofon SPU Royal N MC 27 65 92
- Ortofon 70th Anniversary MC 27 65 92
- Ortofon MC-3000 MC 27 65 92
- EMT XSD-15 MC 27 65 92
- Dynavector KaratDiamond 100D MC 27 65 92
- Dynavector Ultimo 20B MC 27 65 92
- Madrigal Carnegie-2 Soundsmith optym MC 28 64 92
- Cartridge Man Music Maker MK III MI 25 66 91
- Elac ESG-795 Van D Hul MM 25 66 91
- Rata RP-70 VDH MM 25 66 91
- Entre MC-5 boron MC 26 65 91
- Shelter 501 MC 26 65 91
- Fidelity Researcch MC-44 MC 26 65 91
- Benz Micro Glider H MC 26 65 91
- Benz Micro Glider L MC 26 65 91
- Shelter 501 MKII MC 26 65 91
- Dynavector Karat 23RS MC 26 65 91
- Linn Klyde MC 26 65 91
- Linn Arkiv/Arkiv B MC 26 65 91
- Van Den Hul One MC 26 65 91
- Sumiko Celebration Pear MC 26 65 91
- Audiocraft AC-05 MC 26 65 91
- Fidelity Researcch MC-44 MC 26 65 91
- Empire MC-5 MC 27 64 91
- Van Den Hul Two MC 27 64 91
- Dynavector Karat 23 MC 27 64 91
- Empire/Van Den Hul 1000 MC 27 64 91
- Benz Micro Ace MC 27 64 91
- Lyra Lydian MC 27 64 91
- Lyra Helicon MC 27 64 91
- Shelter 301 MC 27 64 91
- Clearaudio Talismann MC 27 64 91
- Van Den Hul Colibri XCP HO MC 27 64 91
- Monster Cable H2O MC 24 66 90
- ELAC ESG-794 MM 25 65 90
- Audioquest AQ-7000 NSX MC 25 65 90
- Sony XL-88D retipped MC 25 65 90
- Ortofon 70th Anniversary MC 25 65 90
- Ortofon Rohmann MC 25 65 90
- Linn Troika MC 26 64 90
- AKG P-8 ES Super Nova MI 26 64 90
- Denon 103D MC 26 64 90
- Denon DL-103C MC 26 64 90
- Denon DL-103S MC 26 64 90
- Denon DL-103FL MC 26 64 90
- Audiotechnica ART 9 MC 26 64 90
- Sensitive Sound Splash 5 MC 26 64 90
- Wilson Benesch PLY MC 27 63 90
- Supex 900 Super MC 27 63 90
- Highphonic A-300 MC 27 63 90
- Audiotechnica At-37E MC 27 63 90
- Van Den Hul MC-10 MC 27 63 90
- Bluenote Boboli MC 27 63 90
- Dynavector DV 50x MC 27 63 90
- Dynavector 20X L MC 27 63 90
- Dynavector 20X S MC 27 63 90
- Dynavector D20B MC 27 63 90
- Grado The Reference MI 28 62 90
- Grado Ref Master MI 28 62 90
- Ortofon Jubilee MC 25 64 89
- Technics P23 (boron) MM 25 64 89
- Cartridge Man Music Maker 3 MI 25 64 89
- Linn Asaka MC 25 64 89
- Linn Karma MC 25 64 89
- Audiotechnica AT-33 EV MC 24 64 88
- Audiotechnica AT-15 SS MM 26 63 89
- Ortofon MC-2000 MK II MC 26 63 89
- Technics P-23 boron MM 26 63 89
- Nagaoka MP-500 MM 26 63 89
- Nagaoka MP-50 MM 26 63 89
- Denon DL-103 MC 26 63 89
- Denon DL-103LC MC 26 63 89
- Denon DL-103LC II MC 26 63 89
- Denon DL-103U MC 26 63 89
- Denon DL-305 MC 26 63 89
- EMT TMD-65 MONO MC 26 63 89
- EMT TSD-25 MONO MC 26 63 89
- Coral MC-82 VDH MC 26 63 89
- Audiocraft AC-03 MC 26 63 89
- ADC MC 1.5 MC 26 63 89
- Dynavector 10 x 4 MC 27 62 89
- Dynavector 10 x 5 MC 27 62 89
- Sumiko BPS EVO III MC 29 60 89
- Supex SD-901 Super MC 27 62 89
- Dynavector 17D2 MKII MC 27 62 89
- Fidelity Research FR-7F MC 28 61 89
- Excel MC-100E MC 23 65 88
- Audiotechnica AT-160 ML MM 25 63 88
- Audiotechnica AT-170 MM 25 63 88
- Cello Limited MI 26 62 88
- Hana EH MC 26 62 88
- Audiotechnica AT-8008 MM 24 64 88
- Audioqest AQ-909 MC 25 63 88
- ADC Integra MKIII MM 25 63 88
- Linn Asak MC 25 63 88
- Audiotechnica 150E MM 25 63 88
- Townshend EEI MCP555 MC 25 63 88
- Clearaudio Sigma MC 25 63 88
- Decca Super Gold MI 25 63 88
- AKG P-8 ES MI 26 62 88
- Audiotechnica ART 1 MC 26 62 88
- Audiotechnica ART 2000 MC 26 62 88
- Fidelity Research FR-45 MC 26 62 88
- Fidelity Research FR-44 MC 26 62 88
- Shure V15 VXMR MM 26 62 88
- Ortofon MC-2000 MC 26 62 88
- Ortofon MC-200MKII MC 26 62 88
- Denon DL-304 MC 26 62 88
- Ortofon Black MM 26 62 88
- Ortofon MC-10 Supreme MC 26 62 88
- Audiocraft AC-01 MC 26 62 88
- Accuphase AC-3 (Soundsmith) MC 27 61 88
- Van Den Hul MC-10 retipped MC 27 61 88
- Dynavector 10 x 2 MC 27 61 88
- Dynavector 10 x 3 MC 27 61 88
- Grado Platinum H MI 28 60 88
- Grado Platinum L MI 28 60 88
- Grado Sonata MI 28 60 88
- Sumiko Blue Point Special MC 29 59 88
- Audiotechnica AT-13EA MM 24 63 87
- Audiotechnica AT-6006 MM 24 63 87
- Ortofon MC-30 MC 24 63 87
- Technics EPC-300MC MC 24 63 87
- Linn K9 MM 25 62 87
- Adcom HC VDH II MC 25 62 87
- Ortofon Kontrapunkt B MC 25 62 87
- Ortofon Kontrapunkt A MC 25 62 87
- McIntosh MC-1000 MC 25 62 87
- Audioquest AQ-S100 MC 25 62 87
- Audiotechnica AT-125LC MM 25 62 87
- Audiotechnica AT-20 S MM 25 62 87
- Audiotechnica AT-440 MLa MM 25 62 87
- Coral 777S MC 25 62 87
- Decca Maroon MI 25 62 87
- Van Den Hul MM-2 MM 26 61 87
- Denon DL-301 MC 26 61 87
- Denon DL-301 II MC 26 61 87
- Denon DL-300 MC 26 61 87
- Denon DL-302 MC 26 61 87
- Denon DL-303 MC 26 61 87
- Denon DL-110 MC 26 61 87
- Denon DL-160 MC 26 61 87
- Dynavector DV-20X MC 27 60 87
- Grace F-9L MM 26 61 87
- Grace F-9E MM 26 61 87
- Audiotechnica AT-OC9 MLII MC 26 61 87
- Phase Tech P-3 Alexandrite MC 26 61 87
- MY Sonic Lab Eminent MC 26 61 87
- Empire LTD 250 MM 26 61 87
- Empire LTD 250 MM 26 61 87
- Empire LTD 450 MM 26 61 87
- Empire LTD 750 MM 26 61 87
- Fidelity Research FR1-MKII MC 26 61 67
- Goldring 2500 MM 26 61 87
- Fidelity Research MC-201 MC 27 60 87
- Ortofon MC-20 Super MC 26 61 87
- Ortofon X3-MC MC 26 61 87
- Audiotechnica AT-3100 XE MM 24 62 86
- Audiotechnica At 32 MC 24 62 86
- Audiotechnica AT-32E MC 24 62 86
- AKG P-8 E MI 24 62 86
- Adcom XC MR MC 24 62 86
- AKG P-25 MD MI 24 62 86
- Goldring Eroica H MC 25 61 86
- Boston MC 1E MC 25 61 86
- Elac EMM-290 VDH MM 25 61 86
- Audioquest AQ-404B MC 25 61 86
- Audiotechnica AT-14E MM 25 61 86
- Audiotechnica AT-15E MM 25 61 86
- Audiotechnica AT-140 ML MM 25 61 86
- Audiotechnica AT-150 Ti MM 25 61 86
- Audiotechnica AT-23 MM 25 61 86
- Empire 1080LT MM 25 61 86
- Sony VL-32G MM 25 61 86
- Sumiko Andante FGV MM 25 61 86
- Technics 310 MC 25 61 86
- Van Den Hul MM-1 MM 26 60 86
- Elac EMC Van Den Hul MC 26 60 86
- Denon DL-80A MC 26 60 86
- Grace F-8E MM 26 60 86
- Audiotechnica AT-OC9 MC 26 60 86
- Audiotechnica AT-33PTG MC 26 60 86
- Audiotechnica AT-OC7 MC 26 60 86
- Audiotechnica AT-OC5 MC 26 60 86
- Benz Micro MC-20 MC 26 60 86
- Denon 103GL MC 26 60 86
- Kiseki Milltek MC 26 60 86
- Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood MM 26 60 86
- Ortofon SPU-G MC 26 60 86
- Ortofon MC-10 MC 26 60 86
- Ortofon MC-20 MC 26 60 86
- Ortofon X1-MC MC 26 60 86
- Clearaudio Symphony MC 27 59 86
- AK Labs ES-30 MC 27 59 86
- GAS Sleeping Beauty S MC 27 59 86
- Goldring Eroica L MC 25 60 85
- Entre EC-1 MC 24 61 85
- Bang & Olufsen MMC-2 MI 24 61 85
- Audiotechnica AT-13E MM 24 61 85
- Audiotechnica AT-14EA MM 24 61 85
- Audiotechnica AT-30E MM 24 61 85
- Audiotechnica AT-450 E MM 24 61 85
- Audiotechnica ATP-1/2/3 MM 24 61 85
- Technics 205C- IX MM 25 60 85
- Grace F-9P MM 25 60 85
- Shure V15 II MM 25 60 85
- Shure V15 II I MM 25 60 85
- Shure V15 IV MM 25 60 85
- Audiotechnica AT-13D MM 25 60 85
- Empire 2000E IV MM 25 60 85
- Empire 4000DT MM 25 60 85
- Audiotechnica AT-120 EG MM 25 60 85
- Audio Note IQ-2 MM 25 60 85
- Bang & Olufsen SP 10 MM 25 60 85
- Bang & Olufsen SP 12 MM 25 60 85
- Bang & Olufsen SP 15 MM 25 60 85
- Technics 205C- II MM 25 60 85
- Ortofon HMC-30 MC 25 60 85
- Sumo Sumo II MC 25 60 85
- Goldbug Clement MC 25 60 85
- Goldbug Medusa MC 25 60 85
- Ortofon Sl-20 MC 25 59 84
- Clearaudio Classic Aurum Wood MM 27 58 85
- Monster Cable Alpha 1000 MKII MC 27 58 85
- ADC Super XLM MM 23 61 84
- Audiotechnica AT-3003 MM 24 60 84
- AKG P-10S MI 24 60 84
- AKG P-15 MD MI 24 60 84
- AKG P-6E MI 24 60 84
- Tonorel T-2001D MM 24 60 84
- Sony XL-33 MM 24 60 84
- Sony XL-44 MM 24 60 84
- Audiotechnica AT-10 MM 24 60 84
- Audiotechnica AT-100E MM 24 60 84
- Audiotechnica AT-11 MM 24 60 84
- Bang & Olufsen MMC-1 MI 24 60 84
- Audiotechnica AT-110 MM 24 60 84
- Ortofon Sl-15 MC 25 59 84
- Technics 207C- II MM 25 59 84
- Apature KOCE MC 26 58 84
- Sumiko Andante E MM 24 59 83
- Audioquest B100 MC 25 58 83
- Acutex 312 STR MM 25 58 83
- Audiotechnica AT-12E MM 24 58 82
- Adcom GFC MC 24 58 82
- Adcom XC LT MC 24 58 82
- Audioquest AQ-606 MC 25 57 82
- Arkam C77 MM 24 57 81
- Arkam E77 MM 24 57 81
- Fidelity Research MCX-5 MC 24 57 81
- Ortofon Red MM 26 55 81
- Sony VL-37G MM 26 54 80
- Win Labs SDT-10 MK2 SG 25 55 80
- Micro Acoustic MA-382 EC 25 55 80
- Ortofon Rondo Red MC 25 55 80
- Acutex 307 MM 25 55 80
- Acutex 310 MM 25 55 80
- ADC QLM36 MM 22 57 79
- Shure 92 MM 23 56 79
- Shure M3 MM 25 54 79
- ADC LMF-2 MM 22 56 78
- ADC 10 MM 22 56 78
- ADC QLM30 II MM 22 56 78
- ADC 220XE MM 23 55 78
- Shure M7 MM 24 54 78
- ADC 1 MM 22 55 77
- ADC K7 MM 22 55 77
- Decca Gold MI 25 52 77
- Empire 108 MM 25 52 77
- Victor MD-106 MM 22 54 76
- Technics U-25 MM 25 50 75
- ADC 660E MM 22 50 72
- Garrott P-66 MM 23 49 72
- Nagaoka NM-33S MM 22 49 71
- Rega Bias-2 MM 22 49 71
- Rega Bias MM 22 48 70
34 responses Add your response
I have not. I had maybe 50 different tables and 60-70 arms for the past 10 years. The arm sounds unique or different with specific set up cartridge, leads, cable etc. Too many variables to compare and it would be not objective. I have my personal opinion about each one I've had but not evaluated similar way. One note I stand behind- is the importance of tonearm internal wiring. In my opinion it is most overlooked part of analog. When we were producing ViRa tonearms, we audition more than 40 wires and wire combinations. to find the most natural and balanced. You can put good wires in $10 junk arm and it will outplay $5K pieces. |
This is nonsence. Second list of some personal notes made by one seller over the years, not sure how this notes can help others. We are all make notes for personal use, but the human brain is not a computer to analize numbers and decode them to emotions. When the quality reflected in numbers/digits it's weird! How anyone can compare so many used and new cartridges together? When you're listening cartridge number 500 you can't remember cartridge number 1 (if you have 498 more cartridges in between). Each cartridge must be treated well (phono stage, arm, loading etc). There is nothing about your system, except for the price. I see many mediocre cartridges in this list on top of the greater cartridges. Some overpriced MC are on top, some amazing cartridges are missed in this list ! There is a Soviet cartridge somewere in the middle, i'm surprised. Most of the carts in the list are the models you're selling often (used). The best thing to do is to ignore both of your "grading lists" to make our own "grading", finding and testing what is the best in our own systems. But i'm pretty sure there are people who would like to see and read stuff like that, thinking about it as a Billboard Chart! The only problem is "personal taste". What is good for you in your system is not good for someboby else on another system. This is useless for the most of us, unfortunately. |
I have to answer to all using word "nonsense" to my list. Read the top of my posting. IT IS MY PERSONAL GUIDANCE IN BUYING AND SELLING CARTRIDGES. You are in title of your opinion, but I have hundreds and hundreds people asking me to put this list and updates for them. So I did. To answer in a broad way- some people are color blind, but it doesn't mean the red or green colors are not there. Also red and green are red and green even in the dark. |
jtsnead, |
@grgaudio surely it’s your personal thing and your own "grading system" that no one understand. Personal experience is a great thing, but when someone asking for opinion on sertain cartridge then the answer with this list is really something ... unusual. It’s like your own chart of cartridges, but how many hrs did you spent with each of them? Even with my 50 cartridges in the past 5 years i could not spend all my free time testing them. When it comes to 500 cartridges it would be impossible (not to mention different arms, phono stages etc to switch and adjust). I think people asking you "what’s the best cartridge?" (LOL) as they do here every week, just to save time and money to make their own conclusion by trying different cartridges (which is the best way). The tricky situation is when a certain cartridge imrpess you today much more than yesterday. This is what people are posting on here when they are listening music with forgotten vintage MM after a years of using modern MC (and maybe vice versa). After a glass of wine or depends on the mood (or time of the day) our impression can be different. I just don’t understand how it is possible to make a chart of nearly 500 cartridges. Maybe it’s just me, but even with my current top 20 carts (and about 6 arms) i can not make a chart. It is not about the amount of bass or treble, it’s emotional contact with the music and each cartridge gives us slightly different presentation. |
| Post removed |
Ouch, i see @grgaudio It explains everything Glad you expressed yourself a little bit, but why you have removed your post quickly? Maybe that’s the reason why your used cartridges always have 200 hrs on them and it seems universal for every listing i have seen. I wonder, how do you know? BTW After inspection of one of them at SoundSmith they said it’s worn out (so in fact over 700 hrs for sure). Remember Sony XL55? Also a problem with coil. If you have no time to check what you’re re-selling then surely you have no time for free speech here on the forum, also no time to reply on emails, pms etc. Too busy, i see. Too many cartridges... If you want to impress your amateur customers by "grading" using some numbers for bass and treble then copy/paste the frequency range from the manual, at least it was measured correctly when the cartridge was new. This grading is a joke and it was stated before by others. P.S. Only 2 cartridges out of 3 that i bought from you were ok, one of them was defective and worn (but it was sold as lightly used or so), died quickly. I’ve had to learn a lot since that time. |
I cannot imagine doing this. I have had 27 different speaker pairs, at least 15 different amps, countless ICs and PCs. I am 79 and started audio in 1965. I am very happy now with my system and cannot imagine living with my Infinity ServoStatics, Audio Res. Dual 75s, and SP-3 and cheap ICs and speaker wires and attached PCs. The Decca London, however, still is satisfying. |
| Post removed |
chakster Maybe that’s the reason why your used cartridges always have 200 hrs on them and it seems universal for every listing i have seen. I wonder, how do you know?Buying a used phono cartridge is always a very dicey proposition. Unless the buyer's plan is to immediately send it our for a retip or re-build, I can't imagine why anyone would bother. I know that many here have reported good luck buying used cartridges, but I'd never take the chance. The risk would seem to exceed the reward. What is especially odd to me is when someone here posts his opinion about a particular phono cartridge that is based only on one single, used sample. Why would anyone place any faith in that opinion? |
I haven't audition Hana SL yet. I had few Hana EH and EL. Feels like Denon 103 very much, but wooden body killed the dynamics and It sounded like Ortofon M series. SL version with Shibata stylus and AlniCo magnet should sound better I hope. Strangely enough Hana does not publish compliance numbers. It is what it is- cheap attempt to capitalize on Grado/Benz look. |
@cleeds Buying a used phono cartridge is always a very dicey proposition. Unless the buyer's plan is to immediately send it our for a retip or re-build, I can't imagine why anyone would bother. I know that many here have reported good luck buying used cartridges, but I'd never take the chance. The risk would seem to exceed the reward. Personally i have multiply samples of all my favorite cartridge to make sure. Honestly, never had an issues bying used cartridges from honest sellers, most of them are just selling their personal cartridges (used and tested carefully). Some people just re-sell cartridges, those with too much transaction are physically can not check them out carefully, there is no serious inspection or a long listening tests, simply no time for this. They are concentrate on sales! The result is misinformation, often same amount of 200 hrs stated in the sales lists for the worn cartridges. Those sellers often underrate the knowledge of the buyers. After the sale is done they are ignoring all the emails, PMs or even question sent to their multiply paypal accounts. Two sellers cheated me when i started my journey, both got too many sales per month. I'm happy to buy great vintage cartridges from people who are not specialized on quick resale. These guys can answer all the questions and they are knew what they are selling, those people will never tell you the cartridge has 200 hrs on it when it's worn out and actually has more than 1000 hrs. They will never try to sell refurbished cart as the original. Honest sellers will never ignore the emails or PMs after the transaction is done. @folkfreak ... perhaps the removal of the OPs post had less to do with his opinions on audio and more to do with his blatant casual and irrelevant misogyny? right, hard case |
I don't know why people always have to get their noses out of joint over an opinion. Those getting totally defensive obviously have an opinion also to which they are entitled . .. but in the final analysis, who cares? The man is right in that there are so many variables in turntable combinations, tonearms, wiring, even electrical conditioning. Even if someone could possibly be rich enough or have all the resources in the world to make every possible combination possible . . . there is no way the end results would not be argued by someone, who had their delicate toes stepped on for one reason or another. IF, the immediate comparison does agree with your findings -- fine, argue your point, but don't get your blood pressure out of sorts over being that one individual, whose authority cannot be possibly questioned by anyone else without becoming offended. There are so variables in personal taste, ego, hearing quality, experience, etc. than for anyone to dogmatically destroy someone or get so upset over what -- a cartridge . . . a thing. If you have proof of a particular premise -- state your facts and allow a wise and the fool come to their own conclusions. Arguing with either more than likely is not going to bring any unanimous conclusions. Debates can be fun . . . even teaches an ignorant man, who has an open mind a thing or two PERHAPS . . . but a fool . . . have you ever seen a fool ever react to anything with wisdom? Now if someone threatens you and censors you for an opinion -- now THAT is an offense and a different topic altogether. Enjoy what you enjoy in equipment, take pride in your choices, be ready to give an opinion and debate -- but note that with some people -- they will argue until blue in the face for just the pleasure they get in just arguing for the sake of argument. Walk away. |
@chakster so you got burnt by GRG Audio as well… I purchased a Benz with apparently 300 hours on it. When I received it life's circumstances intervened and I didn't get a chance to install it for a few months. When I finally did install it it was obvious that something was very very wrong. I sent it to Andy at the Needle clinic and he estimated it had about 1500 to 2000 hours on it. When I confronted GRG Audio he basically ignored me. Too much time had passed so I couldn't leave negative feedback. I think chakster is bang on with his assessment of buying cartridges from enthusiasts as opposed to buying them from people who have a business trying to resell them. |
grgaudio ripped me off too. Sold me a cartridge that didn’t sound right. Sent it to Soundsmith to see about it, and Soundsmith told me it was broken beyond repair. grgaudio would not answer emails for a long period of time, then around a month later he tells me he won’t do anything after such a long period of time, same MO as what he did with analogluvr, above. Guy's a crook. |
| Post removed |
There was a good movie decade ago- Fight Club. The great story about the guy with multiple personalities. I might sell to my friends in Hollywood script of Fight Club -2; story about AG member Chakster. Daytime he's nobody, without particular job in Russian St. Petersburg's suburb. He's collection of analog consist of junk 70-80s cartridges and other discarded analog pieces that he buys occasionally. Decade ago he purchased few cartridges from me that replaced total junk he had and try to trade in. From this point he became a guru of analog. The other chakstr's personality rules here. He's posting countless responses to any analog topics. That would be OK if it wasn't his prophesy. He sounds normal, but his posts are not real- it is just internet re-fabricated craziness that reflects his vivid imagination. This is his virtual Fight Club and he 's King of the ring here. I gave up communicating or even noticing him years and years ago, but he keep sh..ing under my door any chance he has. |
@halcro +1 Like I stated in the other thread...there are numerous errors and other odd results in the table that grgaudio posted. Now you tell him that the Symphonic Line and VdH Grasshopper are one and the same..oops! Sine the OP has a vested interest in several of these cartridges and is a dealer of used cartridges...I think these threads are basically worthless to the hobbyist. |
What absolute drivel. 50 turntables, 60-70 tonearms and 921 cartridges (including those in the other thread) over 10-12 years? It takes me weeks to properly evaluate a cartridge (since I also need to eat, drink, sleep, read, watch a bit of TV, work, get some fresh air, etc, etc) and here someone has compiled a subjective evaluation of 921 of them in what amounts to 4.75 days (time needed for other activities not subtracted) per cartridge? Yeah, right. This must be one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen..... |
I think some of you are coming down a bit hard on grgaudio. This list and the new revised one are of interest to me, because they contain many older cartridges I had never heard of and which might merit further investigation. That’s why I’ve called it informative, even if it's a subjective dealer’s opinion. This is not more biased than those ’reviews’ of new cartridges, which are only advertisements disguised as objective ’audio journalism’. I find that much more offensive. I became interested in vintage cartridges, because I discovered by accident that there’s no major quality difference between old & new, contrary to what those reviewers always try to tell you. This piqued my interest to hear more of those ’oldies’, like many others here on this forum. Another reason is that I’ve become totally disgusted with the current pricing tactics of audio manufacturers, who seem to be in the business of accomodating trophy hunters who equate price with status. I refuse to play along with their game, like many others on this forum. If you must use the word ’crook’, use it here. The ranking is of course just a crude indication of the quality level, nothing more. And I only look at the sonic ranking, those ’technical’ points are of no interest to me. I’ve noticed some strange anomalies as well, but that doesn’t disqualify the list as such. And I realise comparing used cartridges with unknown history is not exactly a level playing field, which may explain some of the anomalies. So there are plenty of caveats, but at least he doesn’t pretend otherwise. So I accept it ’warts and all’ and value it for what it is. As for the Symphonic Line being a rebadged Grasshopper, I’m sure he knows this (the visual clues can hardly be overlooked). But I’ve learned that not all vdHul’s are created equal, even if their model numbers are the same. Would you believe that the biggest sonic difference I’ve ever experienced between two cartridges was between two Colibri’s? |
