Best cartridge

Yeah, before the CDs the market for phono cartridges was huge, vinyl was main format in this world. Now digital is main format. 

I was thinking about Tube analogy, obviously even NOS tubes are better than new (most of them). Tube is very simple device, but they can't make even tubes as good as the old ones. And If they can the price will be insane. I am still using pair of 45 tubes from the 1940's (paid about $150 for NOS), brand new replacement from EML in Europe will cost me $600+ for a pair. 

While my digital music collection numbers in the tens of thousands of tracks, my vinyl collection is quite modest (50 or so albums). As a result, I’ve never invested much in my TT setup.

You have to invest in analog and you need a better turntable, it’s pretty esy to solve the problem and purchase Technics SL1200GR (at least).

... if a cartridge can emphasize HF extension, that’s something I’d be interested in.

If you want a phono cartridge that can reproduce 10Hz - 50 000 Hz then you have to look ONLY for the cartridges with the most advanced stylus profile and high compliance! So the stylus must be something like MicroLine, MicroRidge, VdH, F.Gyger, Replicant-100, Line Contacct, Shibata, FineLine, Stereohedron ... just to give you some names. Cartridge compliance must be over 25cu @10Hz. Taking in count all these i believe you need an MM or MI cartridge with super lightweight cantilever like Titanium, Beryllium, Boron ... Those MM cartridges are not cheap! For more airy presentation you have to load them at 100k Ohm (instead of 47k Ohm which is ok too) and i’m pretty sure on Technics SL1200GR or SL1200G your analog rig will be better than digital.

Sumiko Pearl is nothing special, it seems like you don’t want to learn a bit about stylus profiles and cantilevers. You will not hear anything close to digital in terms of resolution if you will use donded elliptical stylus, it will be a muddy sound with rolled off bass and treble.

THIS IS THE WORST YOU CAN GET AND IT’S SUMIKO:

• bonded elliptical diamond stylus.
• alloy tube cantilever.

As stated in my earlier post here:

If you want a phono cartridge that can reproduce 10Hz - 50 000 Hz then you have to look ONLY for the cartridges with the most advanced stylus profile and high compliance! So the stylus must be something like MicroLine, MicroRidge, VdH, F.Gyger, Replicant-100, Line Contacct, Shibata, FineLine, Stereohedron ... just to give you some names. Cartridge compliance must be over 25cu @10Hz. Taking in count all these i believe you need an MM or MI cartridge with super lightweight cantilever like Titanium, Beryllium, Boron ... Those MM cartridges are not cheap (most likely over $500) !

You’d better mention the budget you are willing to spend on a phono cartridge.
If the budget is limited to $400 max then the best you can get is Stanton 881s (equal to Pickering XSV/3000) read this article.

But with double budget you can get much better MM with wider frequency response to compete with your digital.

@chakster
You are correct regarding the need to use advanced stylii, however your statement regarding compliance is an over-simplification.

But most MM are mid or high compliance by default. And most of the vintage MM are high compliance. However, modern MM are mid compliance or even low-ish like Nagaoka. A high compliance cartridge can stay in the groove even on seriously warped records.

I find your frequent reminders about the high level of technology and materials in best-of-class late 70s early 80s mm and mi carts useful btw.

thanks, I am more than happy with those carts.