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How Cartridges Fall Out Of Favor Over Time

I returned to analog in the late 1990's and early mid 2000's. Over time I have seen cartridge models, and even manufacturers fall out of favor and others rise or be even begin. 

As I think about it, these models have lost favor in the eyes of vinylophiles. At one time they were the cats meow. 

Dynavector 10x5 and 17D2 or 3 Karat

Benz Micro Ace and Glider

Audio Technica oc9 II

Sumiko Blackbird and Bluepoint Evo III

ZYX cartridges such as the Bloom and the Airy

Grado wood bodies

These are just the ones I can remember without digging too deep. Some cartridges have model replacements or have been discontinued. Others are still there but just forgotten. 

I just bought a Blackbird Lo for a casual use cartridge, I also keep a Glider H2 for those duties also. My next new cartridge purchase is planned on being an Audio Technica ART20. I just wonder how it compares to my older high tier cartridges, as I play a Transfiguration Audio Proteus that has been serviced by VAS and a Kiseki OG Blackheart serviced by AllClear. 

neonknight
bolong
962 posts
 

Those diamond tipped whiskers sometimes appear to be giving me the finger.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
7,918 posts
 

There’s always a flavor of the day that gets everyone overly excited. Cartridges are not the only victims. 

slaw's avatar
slaw
26,497 posts
 

Shelter

mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,451 posts
 

Those should still be fine cartridges today. I still particularly like the Benz Glider and Wood models (M and L output levels). This hobby & industry is very much driven by a "flavor of the month" and "what’s new" mentality. Small cartridge makers led by ageing artisans seemingly don’t have the time, patience and energy to keep up anymore. For example, Benz and Shelter appear to be winding down, if not already done. Koetsu was finished and is now "back", but how much continuity is there with old Koetsu?

Anyways, "new tech" application to cartridges is sparse. Today we see largely the same old enumerations of materials & designs in endless re-combinations. Hats off to Ortofon, which seem to (still) be actively pushing the tech forward in bodies, dampers, armature alloys, etc. Does all the tech lead to better sound? That varies wildly from person to person (much like the digital vs vinyl debate). Most other companies are akin to garage engineers, where they pick a "gimmick" and then craft their design approach around optimizing that one special thing (e.g. low coil impedance for MSL). The "new" Orgura diamond cantilevers are really nice, but some older carts had diamond too (if not as neatly grown), and it’s hard to say it’s a true leap forward versus a different flavor of sound. The more pedestrian boron rod is still very, very good. 

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