How to choose a cartridge?

I don't know if any particular measurement says anything about how a cartridge might sound, much less whether one will like that sound.  

I think it was Lederman who said that the channel separation is a general sign of manufacturing quality. (Maybe it was in a video?)

I think its important to get a cartridge that works well with the tone arm it will be mounted to. What are people using with that arm?? This is a good place to start.

I just got a new (used) arm which is adjustable from ~11.5 to 19 grams of equivalent mass. So I can use all but the highest compliance carts.

 

If you visit the link I have made available for Juergen

I am trying to find the Juergen link.

Channel separation and stylus shape, and cantilever material are all good.

 

I know that you like measurements as you mentioned, well with cartridges that almost does not works to make cartridge decisions.

Yeah… of all the measurements, channel separation is the one that likely has the most bearing on things.

 

…LPS…

Yeah - that is on my list, but a bit off the deep end on proce.

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS

I am not sure distortions are as valuable.
The motor itself should be more of a linear device, but the suspension is likley where the harmonics pop in.

 

 

It is very hard to even begin to recommend something absent some kind of context as to sonic preference and what you are trying to achieve. It would help to know what cartridges you have heard in your own system

First was anAudioquest 606, and then an Audioquest 404, or maybe a 505.
The 606 was a later drilled sapphire HOMC.
Later was a Sumiko Blue Point Special, and lastly the Garrott Bros p77i, which is the best I have head so far.

 

… For example, if we know what you have for gear and what direction you want to move from your current sound, someone can probably point you in the right direction.

Sota Sapphire, Schroder CB-9 arm is on the way.
There is a 10mm thick DIY Alloy tone arm board that the tone arm mounts to.
A Nagra VPS phono stage, and currently an Audible Illusions line stage,
I know that the VPS is mostly 2nd harmonic, with a slight amount of third harmonic.
It replaced a ARC PH2, which was fixed at 48k, so I have SUT and loading options, as well a an extra 15 gain with the VPS now.

The AI line stage also is reported to have 30dB of gain.

 

 

If you have heard cartridges that are sort of at the extremes, like a vdh Colibre (fast, clear) and one at the other extreme, like a Koetsu (warm, harmonically dense) and have a preference, that would be helpful too.

A friend has a vdHul and his system sound great on femail voices, and in general, But it is Maggys, etc… so his whole system is sharper than what I have.

I think my system is already on the neutral to warm side, so I would probably want to stay on the neutral to sharp side for the cart… not overly warm... but I suppose I should try to have a listen to a Koetsu to really book-end the space?

 

 

I personally think you should push it and get a Lyra Delos. The sweet spot in the Soundsmith line is The Voice.

The SS have 35 db channel separation, so that is a plus.
The Lyra is on my list - at least the mental list… (Thanks)

 

Thanks guys.

I have not heard the Audio Technica cartridge you are considering, but I have heard the top of the line ART 1000 and it is terrific and not as pricey as other top end cartridges; it makes me wonder if some of their other cartridges are also reasonably priced.

The thing about them that is not metric orientated is that the channel separation is not really indicative of a good cart.

 

I'd say that it's very hard to expand on the merits of a cartridge without considering the step up / phono stage. In my experience the cartridge - step up / phono  matching is just as, or even more important than the cartridge itself.

Try looking for people who have the same step up / phono as you do, and what were their experiences with these cartridges.

The only one I loosely know, was running the u-Benz LP S.

 

 

So I suggest that you upgrade your TT and your tonearm. Worked for me, but YMMV

Cool.
What did you upgrade to?

 

I am not sure what I would upgrade to, as I think I have a decent TT, arm ,and phono stage already.

So I cannot imagine any upgrade that could come to fruition without at least 5 digits of bills, and probably more like 20k+… and likely more than that.

 

No substitute for listening.   But I have to say I have bought all my carts 'blind'.

I love the mix of man-spraining with honesty, and I totally agree.
(so it brought quite the smile to my face)

But, alas, I am generally sequestered in the middle of a desert.

 

 I last upgraded from an AR Phono 2.  …

I upgraded from an AR PH2… which is likely about 30+ years old S/S MM stage.
It is not bad for what it is, and the upgrade is a better… just not like gates of heaven opening... better.

I am getting an arm rest for the Schroder arm, from Galibier in Colorado.
It is coming together.