Class "A" phono cartridge discussion.

 You waited three years to say that? It goes without saying that a thread like this is easy to criticize for the reason you cite. But if it’s fun to exchange experiences then people will do so. The best one can do with a thread like this is to gather some ideas from other people, while taking nothing too seriously.

To avoid confusion, I note that I should have said, "Durand Telos", not "Talea Telos".

Siranthony, Do you wish to restrict this discussion to cartridges that can be purchased new and are still being produced? I still remember vividly the first time I heard a ZYX UNIverse mounted in a Durand Talea tonearm (version 1.0 of both products).  Both were new to me, but the system in which they were working was not.  I had never heard that system sound as uncannily good as it did that day.  The owner has since moved on to the more expensive Talea Telos now sporting a Benz LPS.  To my ears, the sound is not as good. It's "meh".

FWIW, I know a few guys who have heard both the ART9 and the ART7 and prefer the latter.  Output of the 7 is very low, however, and I admit this is hearsay evidence.  And the TSD15 is apparently very very good, as you suggest. In fact, I am thinking about the TSD15 for myself.

Just to spice up this discussion, I am going to disagree with Raul on the Benz LPS.  I have an extensive experience listening to it on my neighbor's system, and I am quite familiar with the sound of his system using other cartridges over a period of several years.  I find the Benz LPS to be very "meh".  Compared to it, for example, the ZYX UNIverse, the first version, kicked butt on his system.  He has two LPSs and offered to sell me one for a very reasonable cost; I declined.  Benz LPS is not in my own private A category.  In fact, why not a ZYX UNI on the A list?  And for sure would one not have to include the Lyra Olympos or at least one of the top line Lyra's?  I also am and have been very fond of the better Transfiguration cartridges; very neutral without losing the excitement of music.  I know Raul likes them too.  We could have a separate A list for MM cartridges with MI types lumped in.

And I have a question for Raul:  Do you like the Ortofon Windfield better than the top line Ortofons that came before and after it?  Ortofon makes and has made some very fine cartridges, but it is not my impression that progress over time is linear in the upward direction.  Or are you just pointing out some "good" cartridges that are currently up for sale here on Audiogon?

Raul, I can easily understand what one might like about the LPS.  Thankfully, you've only criticized my friend's audio system, not mine, by implying that the system can get in the way of the wonders of the LPS.  I probably can borrow his spare and listen to it on my own system, to give it a second chance.  But bear in mind that I heard the LPS in a Durand Telos, the latest version not made of wood, if even the earliest Telos was made of wood.  I also hear what you say about the UNIverse, but, sorry, a weakness of mine to like the verisimilitude that it provided and which the LPS did not in my one or two auditions of it. I heard the UNI as a little emphatic in the low to mid treble and maybe very slightly bass-shy, in the Talea, but there was real space around instruments and real 3D-ness. I would also say that as I recall we both share an appreciation of the best of the Transfiguration cartridges, just for that quality of neutrality to which you refer.  So, we really are not far apart.  And since you have given me so many other "good tips" on cartridges that I have come to like very much, I do respect your opinion.  I find it interesting that others chimed in to defend the LPS, not just you.

How nice that ZYX actually make cartridges named "Airy" and "4D" (which as everyone knows is even better than 3D).  I sense that Raul is successfully creating a new gospel whereby any quality of a piece of audio gear that can be perceived as a (euphonic) coloration by one camp or another is then taken to be an evil or undesirable attribute.  (Just remember that one man's "neutral" is another man's "dull".) If all ZYX cartridges sound like the UNIverse, then their less costly products are or would be quite a bargain, IMO.  And other cartridge makers could do worse than to emulate ZYX.

So I guess this discussion has pretty much fizzled out, if it all comes down to "Needle Doctor".  Almost none of the putative
"best" cartridges that I have never heard were even mentioned here.  However, a collection of subjective judgements such as this does have its limitations.  Safe to conclude that the Stereophile ratings system should not be taken as gospel or all inclusive, by any means.

Slaw, Are you talking about your one-sentence question regarding best price on an ART9?  And lack of response to your off-topic question causes you to believe other respondents to the OP are snobs?  I would instead conclude that (1) no one here may know the answer to your question, or (2) the question was beside the point, or (3) both.  Obviously, you can search for a vendor inside the USA, if you live in the USA.  Then you might check Tokyo- or HK-based vendors who regularly sell on eBay.  Most of those who have lasted over time are completely reputable and unlikely to cheat you.  I wouldn't even worry about the US warranty; Japanese dealers honor the Japan warranty, which is just as good.  Beyond that, you're on your own. 

For all I know, the ART9 is as good or better than any other cartridge mentioned so far.  But, I wouldn't really know.