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At what price point do I run into diminishing returns on an MC Cartridge?

I need to replace my MC cartridge.  I've had limited experience with them but I have certainly noticed a dramatic difference in performance.  My first 3 were priced at $500 Sumiko, $900 Ortofon and $5000 Linn Kandid.  The difference between my first cartridge and second - nearly double in price, was a very noticeable improvement.  Then I took the plunge and spent $5000 (after tax) for my Linn Kandid cartridge.  The difference and improvement in the quality of sound was startling.  The soundstage was like nothing I'd ever heard before.  Coupled with my newly acquired McIntosh MP 1100 phono pre-amp and I was hearing things in LP's that quite frankly I had never heard before.  Amazing!  So here's the question: At what price point do I run into seriously diminished returns on a cartridge investment?  I rather doubt I'm going to have "double" the quality of sound that I received with my Linn Kandid cartridge if e.g. I went up to a $10K cartridge. So, my question to you audiophiles with loads of experience, what is your opinion on what price point (neighborhood) would take me to a place where every dollar spent thereafter would yield only micro returns.  Said another way, what is the best price point to take anyone to the the same neighborhood as a person with "money to burn" on cartridges?  BTW, I realize there are probably some pearls that don't cost nearly as much - and that money doesn't always buy you love.  If you KNOW of those do tell.         
normantaylor

Showing 2 responses by terry9

terry9
2,250 posts
 
YES!  Set-up, set-up, set-up. Get a first class tonearm which is completely adjustable, and set it up carefully, over a few months.

I use two Trans-Fi Terminator air bearing tonearms ($1000 buys the best deal in high end). Easy to set up. Stable. Retain their adjustments.

As for the cartridge, don't forget that some wear a whole lot better than others. And some cost more for a factory retip than others. My Koetsu still looks good after 1000 hours - but when it becomes necessary, the retip cost is ruinous.
terry9
2,250 posts
 
As to stylus wear, 1000 hours may be an average, but it’s by no means necessary. That’s all the more reason to have a linear tracker.

And an ultra-sonic record cleaner. In the old days I used a VPI 16.5 faithfully. When I read that record groove crud was equal parts fluff, grease, and diamond dust, I realized that it was an ideal grinding compound, ready and able to grind the faces off any stylus. So I went ultra-sonic.

When I went US, a huge amount of crud came out of the grooves - it was quite visible when it settled on the bottom of the tank. Microscopic inspection shows that my post-US stylus is slightly and symmetrically worn after 940 hours. I hope to get a few thousand more. That means, at the cost of my retip, the US cleaner pays for itself and then some. Actually, and then, quite a lot.
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