I find something almost Zen about tangential tracking tone arms, playing back the record the way it was cut. But there are several reasons I would not do it. First is the need for near frictionless air bearings, the noise of an air pump and air hissing through the holes, and the added maintenance requirements. Second is a difference in tracking angle makes the music from one side of the groove offset by a millisecond or fraction thereof, equal to sitting an inch or two from the center of the sweet spot equal distance from the speakers, Third is the cost of five figures for something I do not believe I would hear even if I concentrated very hard trying to hear it. In the case of a very expensive cartridge I think I would experience a point of diminishing returns long before $7000, complete with its limited life span. There have to be greater differences in concert hall acoustics and orchestras than there are in a cartridge costing hundreds to a thousand dollars vs ten thousand dollars.Years ago I made the mistake of buying the ultimate cassette recorder by Nacamichi, (if I even remember how to spell it) and in it played beautifully when it was new. A year later it was worn out and a few years later it was obsolete.
A pragmatic view of cartridge expenses / many questions
Trying to see what your thoughts are on cartridge expenses? Do you buy cartridges and replace or retip after it’s worn? Cartridges are like tires for cars in some ways. You have to replace the tires after they wear out.
If you own an ultra expensive cartridge, let’s say, over 7k, is that your main spinner? Do you do a factory retip at costs exceeding thousands? Do some of you who own high cost cartridges use them only for special occasions, similar to drinking Dom Perigon for some special event, and use a normal not so exotic cartridge for regular day to day use and perhaps non-audiophile records.
I am sure each of us have our own price threshold and thoughts of high end cartridges. I only said 7k, because that seems to me a fair price point to describe a very expensive cartridge.
My thoughts are that having a few normally priced cartridges around is a good thing, due to the wear and tear, and replacing or retippimg would also be less costly. I do lust after some high end cartridges and if I do obtain one, my philosophy would be as described above. Enjoy for special occasions, and use a less costly for normal day to day listens. Geez, it feels like we are trying to separate our car cruises from a sports car feel to a luxury limo ride feel, in some ways.
What’s your opinion on expendability of cartridges?
If you own an ultra expensive cartridge, let’s say, over 7k, is that your main spinner? Do you do a factory retip at costs exceeding thousands? Do some of you who own high cost cartridges use them only for special occasions, similar to drinking Dom Perigon for some special event, and use a normal not so exotic cartridge for regular day to day use and perhaps non-audiophile records.
I am sure each of us have our own price threshold and thoughts of high end cartridges. I only said 7k, because that seems to me a fair price point to describe a very expensive cartridge.
My thoughts are that having a few normally priced cartridges around is a good thing, due to the wear and tear, and replacing or retippimg would also be less costly. I do lust after some high end cartridges and if I do obtain one, my philosophy would be as described above. Enjoy for special occasions, and use a less costly for normal day to day listens. Geez, it feels like we are trying to separate our car cruises from a sports car feel to a luxury limo ride feel, in some ways.
What’s your opinion on expendability of cartridges?