My sniff test?
Everyone knows that XSV-3000 is exactly Stanton 881s.
Never tried the XSV4000, but all 3 cartridges are very good in $300-400 range, but not top models from Stanton/Pickering.
I am not a fan of Shure, but there is a Shure ULTRA-500 series which easily goes for $1500 today. And Stanton CS-100 WOS or 981 or Pickering XSV-7500 are also superior to the earlier models. There cartridges ain’t cheap today anymore, but the best from those brands.
It depends how far you can go with a choose of vintage MM, but if you really want the best then top models only.
Everyone knows that XSV-3000 is exactly Stanton 881s.
Never tried the XSV4000, but all 3 cartridges are very good in $300-400 range, but not top models from Stanton/Pickering.
I am not a fan of Shure, but there is a Shure ULTRA-500 series which easily goes for $1500 today. And Stanton CS-100 WOS or 981 or Pickering XSV-7500 are also superior to the earlier models. There cartridges ain’t cheap today anymore, but the best from those brands.
It depends how far you can go with a choose of vintage MM, but if you really want the best then top models only.