The greatest MM and MI cartridges ....

prolific.

Dear Halcro: +++++ " It is asking for a 'list' of 'classic' MM/MI cartridges which have influenced the audio world and have 'stood the test of time. " +++++

do you really/honest think that the AT, Signet, FR-5E, Empire 1000 or the Nagaoka ( at least those models ) really influenced the audio world? how? or it is because:

+++++ " It is not solely what you may like? " +++++

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Bifwynne: IMHO yes. Mine coming from there but if you want the Virtuoso " glory " don't change the cantilever build material: aluminum.

Now, if you already own the Virtuoso and want to hear it again but with some improvement then you have other option: go to LPGear and buy a stylus replacement for the Audio Technica AT95-SA :

http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGATN95SA.html

the Virtuoso is build by Audio technica and according to experts here on Agon ( Fleib and others. ) the used model was the AT-95 ( while with differences. ) and you can change your Virtuoso stylus for the AT and test it. I own the AT-95SA ( Shibata stylus shape against elliptical in the Virtuoso. ) and it is very good performer if not at the same Virtuoso level but the Shibata will help the Virtuoso ( this came with aluminum cantilever too. ).
This one could help you too:

http://www.lpgear.com/product/LPGATN95VL.html

If you decide to try it then we in the MM/MI long thread will appreciate that you share your experiences about with us, either: through AT options or SS re-tip.
Thank you in advance.

Btw, here you can read a Virtuoso review:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/frr.pl?ranlg&1313624221&&&/Clearaudio-Virtuoso-Wood-Cartridge-

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Raul.

Dear Griffithds: ++++ " It's depressing to know that I currently own a $3500 MC (Benz Micro Ruby III), that can only sightly better a couple of the cartridges that I mentioned. I hav other MC's that can't beat ANY of them! " +++++

that's what I found out 4-5 years ago and I never felt " depressing " but excited for the new " discover " and I can tell you that till today that kind of excitement still there. I can tell you that my MM/MI discovery was when I already invested over 100K only in LOMC cartridges. Now, I have two alternatives for my LPs, time to time I listen my LOMC ones and I borrow/ed latest LOMC cartridges from my friends.

Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.

Dear Mosin: It is " weird " that with 100+ MM/MI cartridges you choosed those ones-

I own the three TRX models and I can't remember which one but one of them came with titanium cantilever just like the 205 you name it: pure coincidence?.

The 205 " family " is " orilific " that model I think came from the 70's, the one I own is the 205MK4 ( boron cantilever. ) and I have to say is very good performer as yours.

Dear Mosin: IMHO the 95SA version well matches tonearm and the right phono stage certainly it is not a " classic " one but a good one.

Btw, I don't know about the Aurum but the Virtuoso even that " came " from the 95 ceratinly is not the 95, the electric cartridge specs are way different and Clearaudio made the " fine tunning ": my sample has a better stylus than the stock one and is just great. I will test it with a shibata or line contact stylus because the Virtuoso can shows even better performance if we give it better " weapons ".

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Griffithds: Agree, that's why I'm questioning Halcro that was the one to post that sentence.

Btw, Nandric I agree with you too and you missed Mosin whom posted he owns 100+ ones.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.

Dear Timeltel: I will like to see you there because I'm testing ( what a coincidence. Well, we can't stop on the jungle's hunting. ) the same Acutex model ( second hand. ) and we can goo in deep about.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.