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Notice That There Are Not Many Survivors of the MC from the early 19080's or so?

Every once in awhile I will see an odd Audioquest 404 for sale. But otherwise not too many cartridges from this generation. I have always wondered about whatever happened to the Sumiko SHO cartridges. Were they the predecessor to the Blue Point or the Blackbird? Always wondered how they sounded, never got to hear one. 

I wonder if it is the use of the hollow rod cantilevers that caused them to become lost cartridges. I don't think you could retip them, but the best you could do is trade them in for a discount. 

The other cartridge I see from time to time are the Shinon, and every once in a great while I will see one come up for sale. Oh an odd Ortofon or two, and that is about all I remember for this era of moving coils ever coming available. 

neonknight
rauliruegas
13,358 posts
 

Dear @billpete   : Yes, about the 4000D3 was me and if it’s in good operation condition you will be satisfied with.

 

In thje other side it’s not that I don’t like the FR1 but that the 7Fz and latest way different cartridge bodies are better and even the 4000D3  with a good match tonearm  could be superior.

 

As you I owned 150+ cartridges ( vintage and today ), so I have a ladder gradation for overall quality performance to make comparisons and the FR1 it’s not at the top.

Along those each one of us have our special MUSIC/Audio targets and priorities to listen to.

Any one of you that has interest of top vintage LOMC cartridge try to find out ( very rare ) the Empire MC5 and if you found out any one of you will be surprised of its very high quality performance: it's addictive and unique .

 

R.

rauliruegas
13,358 posts
 

Audiogon Discussion Forum

 

Amazing performer.

R.

neonknight OP
519 posts
 

@bgross 

 

I had a Sumiko Alchemist IIIS that I bought as a demo from Audio Connection in Seattle when I was a young man. I had it on a Systemdeck IIXE turntable, with the Profile II arm. I have fond memories of that cartridge, and I saw one for sale awhile back that I thought long and hard about buying. 

elliottbnewcombjr
7,731 posts
 

@neonknight 

Now you KNOW you should have bought it!!!! See another one, beat some of us to it.

What's this?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/206214229085?mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&campid=5338381866&toolid=10001&customid=f9311364-3a67-11f1-87f6-316639643965

 

rauliruegas
13,358 posts
 

That's is the worst of the LOMC Talisman cartridges due to its saphire/ruby cantilever. Not worth to buy.

If neonnigth send it to a change of cantilever then it is worth with very good rewards.

 

R.

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