This thread has been amusing and aggravating to me, at the same time. The OP obviously came from a confrontational direction and shows quite a bit of arrogance and close-mindedness to boot.
The responses focusing on cartridge/tonearm compatability supplied the most important perspective necessary. I cannot attest to current products as I am one of those 'old vintage dinosaurs who live in the past'. My two TTs are mid-70s Technics direct drive SL-1300 and SL-1350. My cartridge line of preference is Audio Technica MM. My best cartridges were all made between 1975 and 1982, and were designed to be compatible with tonearms of that era. I have recently added to my cartridge collection a few Signet TK9s, a TK10, and an At25; all with NOS stylii. Their sound production is a definite step up in clarity and depth of sound stage, but I would be averse to calling them the absolute best. The incredible detail of these carts can sometimes be fatiguing over long listening sessions. However, my Signet TK7lca or AT14sa will provide hours of pleasant enjoyment over a wide range of source material. Not everything has to be better or worse. 'Different' is ok.
BTW, the speed stability on my two TTs is rock solid. They both are supported with acoustic isolators...checked regularly for level positioning. VTA, VTF, AZ are all carefully checked with each cartridge swap. All records are washed in the Spin-Clean, finalized with a vintage Disc Washer, and stylus brushed after each side is played. Why do I mention this, you might ask? Because the previous care enables me to listen to vinyl that is a quiet as a cd. Period. I am a dyed-in-the-wool believer of keeping the basics solid. Purchase the best compatible equipment I can AFFORD initially, set it up to the best of my ability, and then care for it as if it were the last stereo on Earth.
Maybe the OP will gain some education and maturity in the coming years, and learn that cubic dollars are not the solution to every problem he encounters.
just my $0.02
The responses focusing on cartridge/tonearm compatability supplied the most important perspective necessary. I cannot attest to current products as I am one of those 'old vintage dinosaurs who live in the past'. My two TTs are mid-70s Technics direct drive SL-1300 and SL-1350. My cartridge line of preference is Audio Technica MM. My best cartridges were all made between 1975 and 1982, and were designed to be compatible with tonearms of that era. I have recently added to my cartridge collection a few Signet TK9s, a TK10, and an At25; all with NOS stylii. Their sound production is a definite step up in clarity and depth of sound stage, but I would be averse to calling them the absolute best. The incredible detail of these carts can sometimes be fatiguing over long listening sessions. However, my Signet TK7lca or AT14sa will provide hours of pleasant enjoyment over a wide range of source material. Not everything has to be better or worse. 'Different' is ok.
BTW, the speed stability on my two TTs is rock solid. They both are supported with acoustic isolators...checked regularly for level positioning. VTA, VTF, AZ are all carefully checked with each cartridge swap. All records are washed in the Spin-Clean, finalized with a vintage Disc Washer, and stylus brushed after each side is played. Why do I mention this, you might ask? Because the previous care enables me to listen to vinyl that is a quiet as a cd. Period. I am a dyed-in-the-wool believer of keeping the basics solid. Purchase the best compatible equipment I can AFFORD initially, set it up to the best of my ability, and then care for it as if it were the last stereo on Earth.
Maybe the OP will gain some education and maturity in the coming years, and learn that cubic dollars are not the solution to every problem he encounters.
just my $0.02