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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
mulveling's avatar
mulveling
2,449 posts
 

Shelter is the one I  stuck with after Grado, Sumiko and a couple others I forget from 20+ years ago.  The Shelter plays my kind of classical based rock the best.  Strong bass and super clear highs on my SL1210 table with thr KAB re-wire and RCA connection.  Plus it tracks the most difficult passages with zero issues like no other I’ve had.  I’d love to get the Harmony version if I ever get brave enough to cough up the dough.  -John

I’ve used several Shelters and like them all - but some are more warm & "bodied" than others. I really enjoy the Accord (sadly discontinued) and 901 III for that. The Harmony is excellent, but at least the one I had was tilted more towards "pursuit of detail" and speed. It’s a little leaner in comparison to an Accord or 901 III. If they still sold Accord I’d buy another.

The 7000 is another one in the vein of Harmony, but the Harmony is a bit better overall (though I still really like 7000 too - it has some of its own charms). The 9000 tries to strike a balance in the middle, but perhaps I like the "personality" being more to one side or the other :) 

wspohn's avatar
wspohn
650 posts
 

I rarely change cartridges unless they somehow come to grief.  I find one that I like the sound of and keep it for years.

At the moment I have three systems and use a Koetsu Urushi, a Lyra Clavis and a Goldring Eroica LX .

ticat's avatar
ticat
448 posts
 

Current cartridges in rotation are ZYX Bloom lll and Ortofon MC 30 Super both retipped by VAS. Amazing… I may be living “in a bubble “ because I enjoy them so much but I don’t care…☺️

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,704 posts
 

@ulcerdoc and Mike n Greg making good points…

experience has a sound, some of it hard fought victory and some part scar tissue.

i am at 4 TT, w 5 arms and 5 warhorse cartridges … yes one could say those efforts are dilutive and move $ away from grail level gear..  perhaps so but I’ve got a pretty good sonic idea what a headshell introduces… carry on gents !!!!! Long live the 17D3 ( I sent mine away for a song… )

inna
8,240 posts
 

unlcerdoc, no we don't.

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