Some help please with Cartridge choices

viridian

No, I was unaware, and yes the cost is no longer easy, I think I got a new one on eBay from Japan for $450, free shipping, no tax or tarrifs, my 1st MC, a lucky choice I thought once I heard it. I compare everything to it.

After a few heavy listening years during Covid, I guessed it was worn, sent it in, I swapped it for a new one from AT at just under half price, like $225., also pre-tarriff.

they were $550. from AT at the time, now $900. + tax, damn. 

Tarriffs if they stock and ship from usa? They must be building in a tarriff charge they are paying to get them here, or that’s why they say check availability.

I mount Rick’s rebuilt Benz Micro Wood SL tomorrow!

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this listing shows the original has both tighter 0.5db channel balance and wider 30db separation than the new one which is 1.0db/27db. they mention the new suspension in the link you posted.

NOS, $650, already in usa. still tracks at 2.0g

https://www.ebay.com/itm/125854515007?_skw=at33ptg%2Fii&epid=27032781048&itmmeta=01K89TWKEKAFGMRQCARQ7DZCSA&hash=item1d4d837f3f:g:RNsAAOSwaQ5c5bFy&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA8FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cCeQuKzJ39T%2Fd3njnJCkBV5U6Yo8er02z6EIzqUYUlKup4KyLLEbqzthNPbJBCE7WwtyBQfc9Mf%2FSIxptsEaTH4QOeTH3WfoaU8Q6KAoTgKgC2ij4jyeNVGTPY%2B8YxJkbTt9dQiObs6LWh5NhqLLtFbjruQ1fvMMYgroqQLHVeYCxvhGC%2FNBMXRQqFm1uhF8ex3bGsMHQBuT47V5uvWxLmGP%2B%2B29ZOmICz40GDarQye5Jt5AemgXX9dx9AIOgOWIY8D0kZ3YAEZfmv1jYchNhBN50k2ePnsXmpI1rZwsKP8Q%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7a38rrCZg

The new one has threaded holes, no nuts required, I would love that!

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Here, a NOS original AT33PTG which tracks lighter at 1.8g than the /II model at 2.0g

Euros: 399.

https://www.willhaben.at/iad/kaufen-und-verkaufen/d/audio-technica-at-33ptg-hifi-tonabnehmer-mc-neu-1144283841

Well, I have to say that I really appreciate all the fine comments and suggestions so far.  @elliottbnewcombjr - you seem to have an incredible aptitude for cartridges!  I think I would have a hard time going retreating to a lesser option during retipping and so far, each increment up the scale has been wonderful.  I'm curious what you think the diamond stylus would do to the Van den Hul sound.  As I mentioned, I've never heard a diamond stylus, so wouldn't know what to expect.  I guess I just don't get out much. BTW your turntable looks amazing.  What do date has been your favorite arm/cartridge combo. 

@glennewdick The Koetsu is high on my list.  It's no surprise really.  The My Sonic Labs maestro worked at Koetsu and Air Tight-lots of cross pollination.

@grk I've spoken to the MSL American rep.  My dealer Mike is in line already on my behalf.  The rep said to just be patient.

@yoyoyaya You post carries a lot of weight with me given you've heard both the Crimson and the Red.  Somewhat monochromatic!  An unfair question-can you extrapolate on how the Black might compare?  

@ulcerdoc I have a Nottingham Ace Space with the heavy platter upgrade and original tone arm.  The arm mass may not be enough for a Koetsu, which is on the list, but lower. Have you heard the Black?  I'm warming up to the idea I must say.

Part of the issue for me is that I live in SW Florida and other than the Suncoast Audio showroom which is 2 hours away, I have no opportunities to listen to other systems, other than my friend in Marco Island who has an all digital high end Esoteric system running through top end MBL's.  

I’ve never heard a diamond cantilever, or know anyone who has one.

but all the signal generating works are at the other end, so info must be transmitted, lightest/stiffest best by theory, and by maker’s literature and ’top of the line’ models.

The jump up in price from boron or sapphire or ruby colored sapphire is huge, I certainly would not spend for a new one

but, you have an opportunity to try the stiffest material at a rebuild price, so I would ask their advice/price.

I experienced the best/tightest bass in my life with Shure’s V15VxMR original stylus with beryllium vapor deposited microwall tube. It was the cantilever that made all the difference. When I broke it, it turned to dust before my eyes, sad day for sure.

file:///C:/Users/elliott/Downloads/V15VxMR_guide_en-US.pdf

On SME 3009 II arm, on Thorens TD124, incredible. And, it tracked at 1.0g! I’ve got my eye on an OEM Stylus currently, I might get lucky.

Today, materials are rods, not tubes, so we need to risk used to get these rare tube cantilevers. 

btw, AT33PTG, orig and II, and new AT33x are TAPERED Boron rod, I would choose tapered over rod in any design, just by instinct.

look at the comparison of rod/tube/microwall in that Shure document above.