A pragmatic view of cartridge expenses / many questions

@pindac What is "exotic" for you ? Could you recall an exotic cartridges you're talking about and tell us why do you think they are exotic ? 

When someone buying a $5-10k cartridge I hope this person already tried at least over 50 different cartridges prior to buying the most expensive one. I hope a decision to buy even $5k cartridge is rational (in fact it is irrational for sure, imo). If you are not happy with so many great cartridges that cost under $2k then maybe it's a rational decision to look for something else. But you can find a cheaper cartridge that will perform better than more expensive cartridge. All you need is to buy many and try them, compare them yourself on your system.  

A phono cartridge should not cost that much! There is nothing inside a cartridge that can cost that much, this is all about margin (and marketing).

It can be damaged as easy as any cheap cartridge, but the factory exchange will cost the owner at least 60% of the retail price, so when you damage $7k cartridge you can get another one for about $4200 if you're lucky (your sample must be from the official distributor, who can send it back to the manufacturer to get new one instead). The cost of using such cartridges is insane! And you can't use it longer than about 2500hrs anyway even if you have the best tip on it.  

The price often has nothing to do with the quality. After using some overpriced modern cartridges at $3-5k range I am happy to get back to the basics and keep using some NOS samples of the best high-end from the 80s (MM,MI and MC) that cost me much less in price and sound better. 

New cartridges and its design is not any better that top models from the golden age (70s/80s). Most of the greatest (legendary) cartridge designed are passed away or retired.  

Oh and pay no attention to Chakster raving on about old cartridges. He only listens to Elvis:)

@mijostyn

In my last conversation with Elvis I can't remember he has mentioned any phono cartridges, lol 

@audioquest4life 

You can compare any overpriced Koetsu to the Fidelity-Research FR-7fz yourself. You can also compare Koetsu to Miyabi Standard if you can find one, but not to Swiss made Benz. 

Compare Japanese cartridges to some other Japanese cartridges.  

The fact that Koetsu still in business does not make this cartridge any better, because the Yoshiaki Sugano is not making them anymore. He is the one who made the name and reputation of Koetsu, but Garrott Brothers in Australia pointed out how purely they were made and always fixed them for the original owners.

If you want to know more about modern high-end business model you have to read Mr. Andreoli's comments (he's another legend in business, trained by Garrott Brothers long time ago). 

I will tell again to everyone that buying a cartridges like Koetsu top models for insane prices is not exactly what audiophiles must do to enjoy the music. This is only a part of the luxury life of some very rich people. 

If you want to find the best sounding cartridges you don't have to pay insane prices! The key is the knowledge and personal experience. 

  What 80s cartridges have you compared with higher priced ones? I have had my share of Shure, Pickering, ADC, Audio Technica, Denon, as I was growing up and they are still part of my everyday living room setup.

I have compares so many, but let me point you to some of the best without making this list so long:

**Moving Magnet:

AT-ML180 OCC 
Grace LEVEL II BR/MR
Grace F14 Excellent (this is exact name of the model).
Pickering XLZ-7500 (low impedance version with extremely low output).
Pickering XSV-5000 
Victor X1II 

**Moving Coil:

Miyabi Standard
Ortofon MC2000
Grace Asakura One 
Victor MC-L10
Ikeda 9C III
FR-7fz 


... I could add many more even for much lover price that all of these above. I have all these cartridges now in NOS or MINT condition, and i'm not referring to my memories (from 30 years ago). I am listening my system with those cartridges now in 2020. And i will never buy any modern high-end cartridge for $3-5k again - this is a rip-off (or a ticket to sect of elitists who often know nothing about cartridges, but got money to pay the bills believing that anything new and modern in audio business is the best, but it's not true).