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Is There An "Absolute" Best Cartridge?

Dear friends: We can read through different threads/posts in this forum that people always want/ask to know for the " best " " audio item " that IMHO and till today does not exist in " absolute " meaning.
Well I already have and I'm " living " a unique experience that makes me to share with all of you what IMHO could be in Absolute terms " the best cartridge ever ".

Please read this Technics EPC-P100C-MK4 information that could help you for you can share with us your experiences/thoughts on the subject of this thread:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1200430667&openflup&1827&4#1827

Thank you in advance.
Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
Ag insider logo xs@2xrauliruegas

Showing 8 responses by travbrow

travbrow
272 posts
 
The things that make me wonder,why some of the new "state of the art" cartridges are not much better than some of "state of the art" models from 20-30 years ago,according to some who can actually afford to buy the new top models.If CD would have been introduced ten years later, I wonder how much more cartridge technology would have advanced.Why should one have to spend $4K + to hear a current state of the art cartridge?Why would it be hard to believe the Technics EPC-P100MK4 could be one of the best ever produced?Its a shame Technics/Panasonic doesn't produce these fine cartridges anymore.
travbrow
272 posts
 
Hi Downunder,I think the EPC-U1200 is just a DJ cartidge,not a hi-end model.The EPC-100MKIV was the best cartridge Technics ever produced.I read they sold for $600.00.At the time American audiophiles would not spend that kind of money for a MM when they could buy a MC which certainly would be better?The EPC-100 cartridges were mostly sold with the SP-10 and SP-15 turntables here in the US,I think.Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Audio-Technica,Sure and Ortofon all made some better(top of the line)MM cartridges in the past than what they offer now.Is it because MC now dominates the market?
travbrow
272 posts
 
Hi Raul,it would be nice,but then most of us couldn't afford it,unless Technics would design one or make the EPC-100MKIV again,maybe it would be more affordable for the average audiophile?
travbrow
272 posts
 
Hi Raul,I did buy a second Azden YM-P50VL.It's a steal for the price.I really enjoy it,thanks for recommending it.I think the seller has a few more,I ordered my second one on Friday.
travbrow
272 posts
 
I think the EPC-100MK4 could have the best specs. of any other cartridge ever made,identical for each channel.Ruler flat frequency response,lowest tip mass,frequency response out to 120,000hz.Maybe it was the most precise cartridge ever built?And sure it is one of the best sounding,in the right tonearm.But like others have said it would be hard to claim anything in this hobby the absolute best.Too many different opinions on what actually sounds best to them.
travbrow
272 posts
 
Nice post Raul,I also read on another website about us "lunitics" trying these MM/MI cartridges and enjoying them.Brain washed audiophiles.It was the same thing when JN started the "Building hi-end turntables at home depot" thread.There were people who never even heard a replinthed idler drive turntable claim the "rumble" was awful and no way could compete with a hi-end belt drive.More brain washed audiophiles.
travbrow
272 posts
 
Hi Dertonarm,which cartridge or cartridges are the true great ones,in your opinion?Since you prefer the FR tonearm I guess it would have to be a heavy,low compliance MC cartridge?When is the last time you heard the Technics?If it was long ago and your system changed for the better,with a suitable tonearm maybe you would think the good sounding Technics now sounds great.Or maybe not.
travbrow
272 posts
 
Hi Dertonarm,I don't own one of those 100MKIV cartridges.I just found it curious that two of the most experienced audiophiles with excellent top quality systems and both have heard some of the best cartridges available(which alot of us could never afford)disagree so much with the Technics performance.You say it loses out to a number of different cartridges and Raul thinks it is the best ever.Do you think for the $900.00 or so the last samples sold for where a bargain compared to whats available today?

I guess it will always be the same in this hobby,just opinions and people will never agree on what is the "absolute" best.
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