It is also determined by how good your table/arm/phono stage are. And by the rest of your system, for that matter. $500 cartridge in a $100k system is definitely not going to be the best value but $5k one can be.
Cartridge - sweet spot on the cost/sound curve?
I think my Sumiko Blue point 2 is going. Right channel is lower sound level than right using my turntable, totally even using digital. Table is Project RPM 5 carbon that I bought as a store demo with the blue point 2 so no telling how many hrs on it.
The rest of the system is a PS audio GCPH phono pre, deHaviland Ultraverve 3, McCormack DNA 1, Martin Logan SL3s with new panels.
I loved the warmth and focus of the blue point but am a bit back by how much they cost $500. Don’t laugh I know carts can cost thousands but I got a kid in college!
Any recommendations for something at or under that price point that is better?
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Not quite. If a curve is traced where sound quality is on the X axis and cost is on the Y axis, there exists a theoretical infinite set of sweet spots ocurring at any point on the curve. By stipulating the budget of $500, the OP is looking for the best SQ/cartridge at that point on the curve.
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richardbrand"Just a word of caution - there were several series of Shure V15 made, and they do not necessarily share compatible stylii." correct, Jico makes that clear in writing: "There is NO interchangeability between VN5MR and VN5xMR. Please confirm your cartridge / stylus number and select suitable stylus." they list which body the new Jico VN5MR stylus I posted (for the used V15V body I linked) fits: "
///////////////////////////////////// btw, another advantage made possible by SAS on lighter/stiffer cantilevers is LIGHTER TRACKING, these track avg. 1.25g, the AT33PTG/II Microline tapered boron rod tracks avg. 2.0g. Larger contact area combined with lighter tracking: This is the major reason these advanced stylus have longer life, and of course less wear on the grooves. | ||||||||||||
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