Everyone if free to decide what is better, but only after the actual comparison of the cartridges in the system. That would be fair. Some people on here commended on something they never tried or on something they had bad luck with.
For me it’s obvious that my top of the line vintage MM/MI cartridges in NOS (unused, mainly from the 80’s) or lightly used are better and (surprise) cheaper than some top of the line modern LOMC that i’ve tried up to $5k range. Most of the absolutely amazing and extremely rare MM cartridges are still under $1.5k, some of the spectacular MM/MI are under $700 which is simply amazing in this world where manufacturers asking prices for modern MC can be $15k easily. Well, i am not crazy to pay $15k for a cartridge, no matter which super-duper materials did they used.
Stylus replacement option for MM cartridges is one of the reason to accept lighlty used samples. I was lucky to find some deadstock NOS styli for the rarest Grace or Audio-Technica best and most expensive models from the 80’s. So i don’t need a re-tipper with his third-party parts for the rare carts, i’m happy to stick to the original NOS styli utilized some exotic cantilevers and diamonds.
If the end or the road for any cartridge is SoundSmith re-tip service then i just don’t understand why not stick to the SoundSmith own cartridges if many of you really think that he can repair every cartridge using his different (compared to the original) parts to make it equal or even better than the original? If some of you are fine with refurbished carts aka frankensteins then please find J.Carrs comments about fundamental aspects of the cartridge design (the calculation that every cartridge designer made to decide on cantilever and stylus type or mass etc).
If someone can’t afford very expensive factory service for your overpriced LOMC then don’t buy it. If some of you are happy with third-party service and completely different materials or methods of the re-tipper (which wipe away all the calculations made by the original designer) then why do you think such refurbished cartridge is better than fully original top of the line MM/MI with genuine stylus replacement ?
Modern MM is out of fashion in audiophiles world, manufacturers does not care about it much, because the profit is low compared to the MC, let’s face it. This is the reason why MM/MI from the 70’s/80’s are so amazing.
And finally: When people are talking about resonance and distortion of the equipment, i would ask a question how many of you guys (or those reviewers) has treated the rooms with diffusors, absorbers, bass traps etc ? Acoustic treatment of the listening room is far more important, otherwise we’re dealing with so many reflections, stadning waves etc. Normally i see room treatment in the recording or mastering studios, but not in audiophiles home. Funny, but i’ve never seen any acoustic treatment in the rooms where those "professional reviewers" judging very expensive high-end equipment.
Happy New Year!
