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Table/Cartridge price ratio

Say you buy a $1500 turntable without a cartridge. What price range should the cartridge be for maximum potential? Is there a point of diminishing return? Would you get the same result from a cartridge that is in the $800 range with one that is in the $1200 range?
fruff1976

Showing 3 responses by audiofeil

audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Depends on the tonearm.

It is impossible to evaluate and/or give advice for any cartridge(s) without the tonearm.

The tonearm/cartridge and amplifier/speaker matches are the most critical in any audio system.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>I think good cartridges these days start in the $250 range or so for MCs, less for MMs<<

In this price range moving magnets almost always sound better than moving coils.

YMMV
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>a high performance cartridge can work well with a decent TT/arm.<<

Well sort of. A "high performance" cartridge requires a tonearm capable of optimizing its' abilities. Furthermore you must match the strengths of each component in order to garner maximum performance from the combination.

It's very easy to take a great cartridge and great tonearm only to have a gross mismatch.
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