2. analog
  3. 139060-114449

'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 4 responses by terry9

terry9
2,243 posts
 
I have been in love with the Koetsu sound since 1976, but my first one was a gift from wife a few years ago: Rosewood Signature Platinum with diamond cantilever.

The cantilever and stylus are ground from one piece of clear white diamond. So it is promoted, and so it appears.

Sound is the most refined I have ever heard in my system. The only sound close is the Miyajima Zero mono. My system has changed too much (air bearing tonearm and TT) for previous comparisons to be meaningful, so there are only a few cartridges which can be compared: London Decca, Dynavector, Nottingham T4 (MM), AN Io, Zero and KRSP. In increasing order of preference.

But there is a very strong caveat here: set-up. My set-up skills, patience, and instrumentation have improved considerably in the last years, and so, for all I know, the Decca would be king of the heap if set up as carefully as the Zero and KRSP.
terry9
2,243 posts
 
@halcro @howardalex

This morning had some photomicrographs taken of my KRSP with dc. Minimal wear after 980 hours (maybe lack of wear is due to US cleaning). Also appears that stylus is affixed to cantilever, but the photo is inconclusive. Certainly no blob of glue as some report.
terry9
2,243 posts
 
@howardalex , you say that the Jade makes everything sound like the Jade. That is the opposite of my experience with the KRSP/dc - the KRSP/dc makes massed violins violinny, solo voice voicey, organ organic, but in a supernatural way.

But this is after nearly seven years of tuning, and during some of this time the cartridge sounded harsh. Just now it's supernaturally clear and sweet, at 85K loading.

In my system, setup has made the difference, that and turntable noise. I use a Trans-Fi Terminator on a DIY air bearing TT, and just made a significant improvement by making up some copper pivots for the wand. What does the Jade sound like with the motor completely disconnected? That is, powered down, no belt?
terry9
2,243 posts
 
Clear, a copper pivot screw is a mod to the particular tonearm that we both use.
More to discover