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'Diamond' cantilevers: a man's best friend?

An increasing number of cartridge manufacturers is offering models with 'diamond' cantilevers at the top of their range, generally priced at the wrong side of $10k. The price hike compared to - otherwise identical - models with boron (or other) cantilevers runs in the multiple thousands.

Can anyone explain why? Is this just an artificial price point to emphasize exclusivity or does it have to do with material or manufacturing cost, even if there's not much material to begin with? And speaking of artificial, are these cantilevers made from 'real' diamond, or some industrial type? Are all diamond cantilevers created equal or do we see a variety of diamond-like materials sold as 'real' diamond? And what about the rare 'one piece' diamond stylus/cantilevers used in a few vintage cartridges (Sony XL-88D, Dynavector, Kiseki Lapis Lazuli); are these new top dollar diamond cantilever cartridges (like some Koetsu's, Ortofon MC Century, Transfiguration Orpheus Diamond, etc.) of the 'one piece' type? And if not, what is the presumed advantage compared to ruby, sapphire, boron or any other cantilever materials? In short: does anyone know what the 'diamond' cantilever landscape really looks like?

And finally the really important question: do 'diamond' cantilevers - all else being equal - offer superior performance that would begin to justify the price difference? Has anyone done the required comparative listening?

PS: a have a nice collection of MC's with a variety of cantilever materials: sapphire, ruby, boron, aluminium, beryllium, or some combination of materials. But not 'diamond' (real or otherwise), so I'm curious to find out if I'm missing out on something.



edgewear

Showing 5 responses by edgewear

edgewear OP
543 posts
 
@chakster 
Thanks for the tip, will keep an eye on that one. I have two MC's with 'gemstone' cantilevers: Klipsch MCZ-10 (ruby) and Ortofon MC-5000 (sapphire) and both sound excellent in different ways.

What I would like to know is if these recent 'diamond' cantilever MC's have something to offer that set them apart, not in dollars but in sound.

edgewear OP
543 posts
 
Indeed! Both these systems - as well as several others - have reinforced my opinion that not much real 'progress' has been made in the sonic capabilities of MC cartridges, despite all the claims to the contrary.

I reference my growing 'family' of vintage cartridges to two top level 'modern' systems: Transfiguration Proteus and vdHul Colibri XPW Blackwood. To my ears all these systems are part of the same 'level playing field', each with its own particular strenghts (and weaknesses).

No matter how hard I try I'm not able to hear the 'worlds apart' improvements that modern MC's are supposed to offer. Maybe my hearing is inadequate, maybe my alignment skill are or maybe, just maybe we're being taken for a ride.....

edgewear OP
543 posts
 
@rauliruegas 
I think I can agree with your "sum of the parts" conclusion, which seems to emphasize the importance of the talents of the designer. After all he's the guy who's putting the parts together. No gals as yet I believe, but this might change with the current 'diamond' fad.....

It also confirms my own - limited - experience that modern cartridges are not necessarily superior to succesful older designs.  Apparently even if they're as old as those '60's ADC's.

It seems there are no new 'magical' parts or materials that give modern cartridges a decisive 'edge' over vintage ones. Only 'magical marketing', which would include those 'diamond' cantilevers....



edgewear OP
543 posts
 
These last diverting opinions seem to emphasize that there is no intrinsic sonic benefit to the use of diamond cantilever.
when I started this thread I had no experience with it, but since then I have acquired two of those: Dynavector Karat Nova 13D (with wood body) and Sato Musen Zen Diamond (direct couple design similar to Victor MC L1000). Both are great systems, but not 'worlds apart' from other cantilevers.

edgewear OP
543 posts
 
Well, this topic was purported to be about the merits - or lack thereof - of diamond cantilevers. And not about the merits of ’no cantilever’ designs. These may very well be superior to anything with a cantilever, diamond or otherwise. I own the Ikeda 9 Rex and know its capabilities very well. To some extend these also apply to the Victor MC-L1000 and Sato Musen Zen, both based on the so called ’direct couple’ principle. They do have a cantilever of sorts (actually diamond in case of the Zen), but the coils are located directly above the stylus. They come close to the Ikeda in terms of dynamics and immediacy, but not quite. Probably because the ’cantilever’ does offer some compliance. The Ikeda 9 has virtually no compliance at all, which probably explains the fenomenal immediacy but also limits its functionality. Don’t try to play even slightly warped records with it!


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