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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.
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I understand why some are not fans of the VDH, they are very neutral and uncolored, which may not be for everyone. That's what keeps it from being my favorite cartridge. Curious why you're selling if you haven't tried it? |
@big_greg nothing specific to the VDH, I just recently made the decision to “start thinning out my extra gear a bit”, and I have more mid- to high-end carts than I need (including a Lyra Etna). best…. |
Anyone interested in identifying some of the best "vintage" phono cartridges, with an emphasis on MM and MI types but not to the exclusion of MC types, ought to search these archives for the very long thread started by Raul, 10 or 15 years ago. Raul actually hunted down, purchased, and reported on his experiences with these gems, and this engendered input from a great many other old hands. If I could remember the title of the thread, I would report it here, but I am not sure I’ve got it right, so better to search on "Raul" or "MM cartridges". As that thread was in progress, I purchased 8 or 10 of the most loved MM and MI types, and I have not been disappointed. On VDH cartridges. I agree that they can be great, but I and others also have thought that no two are exactly alike, even if they have the same name, like "VDH Crimson XGW Stradivarius". The only way to know what you have is to read the fine print written inside the over of the (usually) wooden box. So it is difficult to discuss even a single model designation of VDH, because yours might still be different in specs from mine, and other models will surely be different too. |
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