This is my
third posting on this subject. Upgraded in December of 2019
As before I remind to all respected Audiophiles- It is my personal observation
testing and trading cartridges. I do 30-100 transactions every month and I need
these numbers handy.
I’m not putting it for public use to be involved in any discussion or answer
any questions. Currently my company produces Aidas phono cartridges- so few of
them have high rating. (feels like I'm
biased on this, but hear the Aidas sound before you judge me) I’m also not
affiliated with any other brands (even I have done some grading and testing for
few analog brands and audio dealers around the world).
I will be
pleased if my observations and experience help you in any way. Also I always
answer all questions related to my listings and try to fulfill requests on some
rare models. I'm proudly inform all my customers that I'm involved in
production o ViRa tonearms as well. Please visit my site virahighend.com for
more information and some rare cartridges as well. The aidasaudio.com dedicated to Aidas phono cartridges.
/////////////////
All general grading philosophy rules are copied from my previous posting.
1. The testing was done on High End set up worse around $100K
2. The results are from the last 12 years
3. Most of the cartridge evaluations were done on uni-pivot or bi-axis arms.
Only about 20% are from tangential and air tangent arms.
4. Most of the cartridges were tested on 2 or 3 arms (except really low end)
5. The ratio of used and new cartridges approximately 85% used and 15% new-
therefore some cartridges could be not working up to specs 100%
6. I have few re-build and re-tipped cartridges on the list and sometimes they
sounded better then original, sometimes they sounded worth.
7. There are many cartridges that have better sonic value, but lower position
over all. Some cartridge have great appearance, mounting and re-sale value, but
sound mediocre. If cartridges have same grading points I try to put higher on
the list cartridges with better sonic value and cheaper original sale price.
////////////////////
The grading philosophy.
For the simplicity I have 10 grading categories. Each categories worth 10
points. There are 3 technical categories and 7 sonic categories. The best and
maximum score could be 100 point.
The 3 technical categories are:
1. Appearance/ Packaging Packaging and appearance are very important for re-sale value.
2. Mounting and aligning 75% of cartridge damage occur at the mounting and aligning process. Scary but
fact. We are not talking about catastrophic damage, but also scratches, dings
etc. Therefore threaded multiple holes on square angled body would get 10point
compare to a round body or other type of mounting holes/hooks. I love Miyabi or
Mark Levinson MLC cartridges, but it's almost impossible to mount and align
these visually.
3. Resale value 35 years old $230 Grace F-9 Ruby and 5 years old $5000 Linn Arkiv have the same
"street" re-sale value.
30 points maximum for technical grading.
/////////////////
The 7 sonic categories are:
1. Low frequency
2. Mid frequency
3. High frequency
4. Soundstage width and depth
5. Background or surface noise pick up
6. Dynamics
7. Overall presentation and impression
Everything is simple and clear. Cartridge overall is the first link and lost or
mis-represented information from the record would never be restored no matter
how much $$$ you will invest in the other links of your system.
To summarize
all these:
The number on
the left represent current ranking.
The 3 numbers on the right
are technical grading (30 max), sonic grading (70 max) and overall score(100
max)
/////////////////
BRAND MODEL TYPE TECH SONIC GRADE
Aidas Malachite Gold MC 28 70
98
My
Sonic Lab Signature Gold MC 29 69
98
Air
Tight Opus MC 29 69 98
ZYX Omega 4D G SB MC 29 69
98
ZYX Omega 4D X SB MC 29 69
98
Aidas Gala Gold LE MC 29 69 98
Symphonic
Line RG-8L VDH MC 29 69 98
Van
Den Hul Condor XCM MC 29 69
98
Aidas Mammoth Gold 2X MC 27 70
97
Haniwa HCTR01 MC 28 69 97
Shun
Mook Reference 2 MC 29 68
97
Krell/Miyabi KC-200 MC 28 68 96
MFSL Miyabi carbon MC 28 68 96
Shinon Red
Boron (retip) MC 28 68 96
My Sonic Lab Eminent
Ex MC 28 28 96
Transfiguration Orpheus MC 28 68 96
J.Allaerts MC-1
Boron MC 28 68 96
J.Allaerts MC1
B MKII (retip) MC 28 68 96
ZYX Universe S MC 28 68 96
ZYX Universe XS MC 28 68 96
Audio
Tekne 6310 MC 27 68 95
Megasonics (Win
labs) MC-10 MC 27 68 95
Aidas Baby Mammoth MC 27 68
95
Aidas Rainbow Malachite MC 27 68
95
Aidas Panzerholz MC 27 68 95
Aidas Rainbow Durawood MC 27 68
95
Aidas Red Grasp MC 27 68 95
Aidas Rainbow Shibata III MC 27 68
95
Mark
Levinson Rose Petal MC 27 68 95
Koetsu Urushi Black SS retip MC 27 68 95
Koetsu Onyx Platinum
Sig. Diamond MC 27 68
95
Charisma MC-2 MC 27 68
95
EMT-Barco HSD-6 MC 27 68
95
Kiseki Blue Gold Spot MC 27 68
95
Clearaudio Gold
Finger MC 27 68 95
Blue Electric Shake
Streamliner MI 27 68 95
Van Den Hul Black
Beauty XSP MC 27 68
95
Holborne MC-1 MC 27 68
95
Miyabi MCA MC 27 68
95
Bluenote Baldinotti Signature SS retip MC 27 68 95
Thanks for this listing, Victor! Very informative.
But I must say I don’t always understand the ranking. To put Denon DL-103 on the same level as Audiocraft AC-03 and Fidelity Research FR-7f is curious to say the least. The Denon 103 is by far the worst cartridge I’ve ever owned (and quickly sold) and much inferior to these other two.
I know you must have assessed Sato Musen Zen Diamond, but I didn’t find it on the list. Where would it sit in this ranking? Just curious, as I’m expecting its delivery 😉
edgewar, I posted this early morning. Might miss few. The transfer from word made the file crooked and corrupted somehow. The Zen was here: 38. Sato Musen Zen Diamond MC 27 68
95
Good grief, that must have taken a lot of time to write up!!
However, I think your grading of a lot of the cartridges mentioned is total rubbish. For instance, you place the Benz Ruby 2 ahead of a lot of cartridges that easily outshine it in any number of parameters...and I used to own a Ruby 2 for many years. Additionally, your tech spec makes no sense as well, the idea that a newly designed Lyra with the latest angle technology is behind a decades old motor that hasn’t been revised in the same amount of time also makes no sense. You sure these results are not just your bias talking...;0)
It took
average 1 cartridge per week to record this observation for 12 years. Maybe 1
minute a week or so. Get the calculator and check.
This is my
personal guide when buying and selling cartridges. Don't make any other
assumptions.
I know if I
have trade in old $300 Grado Platinum, I can easy sell it later for $150 that
is roughly 50% of original cost. Your old $4000 Benz Ruby 2 will be good sell
if you get 25% for it in any condition. As far as I remember you had hard time
to sell yours Ruby-2 at $800 just few month ago.. it is strictly about re-sale
technical grade.
Please read
what's written including explanation. If you don't like my technical grading or
sonic grading- you can offer your own.
May be it
will be based on color, material, price or something else. Audiogon welcomes
any ideas that based on experience.
My bias is ranked from 1 to
500 if that's what you mean to say. Also being biased I would make no sense by buying #415 GAS Sleeping Beauty in any
quantity ahead of single #7 Symphonic Line RG-8L
; based on fact that I can sell GAS with turbo speed and need to wait years to
find a single buyer for RG-8L
@grgaudio When I hear the word technical, it means to me something to do with the science of the design. Not the desirability of the piece in question. The used market for any gear at the moment seems to be a ’buyer’s market’. I have no idea as to why this is the case, but that is my experience along with others who I am in contact with, who also are involved in selling. Therefore, maybe you might consider changing the word ’technical’ in your above result to ’used desirability’ or ’used market popularity’. That appears to be what you are basing the result upon. ( which, BTW, seems to me to be highly subjective, but that’s just IMHO). Still not sure where you come up with the results as to the desirability...for instance, I would take my old used Ruby 2 in a heart beat over the much higher rated used Mark Levinson Rose Petal, as an example. I can’t talk for others here, but unless you are not using your ears and are in the market just to collect for rarity purposes...nothing else makes sense. Plus, that is just one example of many on your list. Your 'sonic grade' is based on what?...what you personally admire in the sonic departments that you mentioned... again, purely subjective on your behalf. Like I stated before, I think it must have taken you a ton of time to compile this list ( which I believe is full of assumptions and errors)...I just fail to see the value in it.
I don't know
how much more clearer I could be. This is my PERSONAL guide for my PERSONAL
reference only.
I didn't make
it to please you or anyone else. I don't sell this information. My clients
asking for this all the time. I can answer each personally or make the list. I make
30-100 transactions each month. You can calculate how many I've done over last
20 years. I started this list 12 years ago. This list based not on assumptions,
but physically having these cartridges and playing these multiple times.
The last question I answer:
My personal sonic admire is the number second to the right in each line. And
please cancel this dispute. You don't like it- then it's not for you. End.
Yet another nonsense that only the OP can use for himself.
It's like reading a notes made by someone for himself with the only difference that OP is a professional dealer specialized in second hand cartridges from japan, someone who purchased from him can comment about his grading when it comes to condition of his used cartridges (always stated 200hrs of use for all of them on audiogon when the real time of use is absolutely unknown since they are coming from unknown Japanese sellers mostly with no time to test them properly, because after inspection some of them appeared to be worn, but the OP's target is quick sell for low price, this is all about business). I bought some and i remember that his reference was his guide with those digits, some carts were worn out, some ended with one channel malfunction, some were just an average cartridges i would never buy again, some of them still working.
But what i've learned over the years is that no one can tell you what's the best, most of the time other people reference standard is not my reference. So lists like that is nothing but a nonsense, sorry.
A cartridge comparison must be done correctly and if someone is doing it then he must do that slowly, no rush, and not biased by re-selling some of them. Also it's important to test at least 2-3 samples of the same cartridge if they are vintage. It's time consuming, especially with 497 cartridges. Again, this system might be fine for the dealer to make notes for himself, but it has nothing to do with reality i believe. Also such "grading" can only confuse some people and they will go to the wrong pass. We've seen it before a few times with tons of rubbish cartridges in his strange notes.
Now we see his own cartridge (Aidas) on top of the list, sure, fair test, no doubt, lol. It is more about the ego (imo).
I would prefer to read about cartridge testing not from the dealer, manufacturer or professional re-seller and i would prefer to see a proper A/B test with much lower quantity and more time for listening each cartridge with some good music from a person with "fresh ears", good taste and proper hearing abilities (younger age). I know we're all selling our spares or just selling some gear, but it's our own cartridges/gear that we know very well. It's not a bunch of 800 cartridges purchased for quick re-sell after notes made, this is a business model.
I have the same Ruby/Koetsu problem so yeah, good call.
To be fair though it might not be bias, or even differing preferences, but merely the passage of time. I mean I have a pretty good idea how I would rank the various components I have had over the same number of years. But its 4 amps, 3 cartridges, 2 speakers, 2 arms, etc. To try and do that with hundreds, no way.
Grg, the problem here is that sonic grade is purely subjective and it depends on the associated equipment. When it comes to cartridges we are all on our own. We can read reviews and try to get an idea from other people we trust but you will never know for sure what you are getting till you hook it up and have a listen. Once you listen to it in your system you own it. You may be a nice guy with huge amounts of experience when it comes to cartridges but I am not about to trust your opinion when it comes to what a cartridge sounds like. Putting your cartridge at the top is quite the tell. Personally, I am sick and tired of humans trying to sell me stuff. I am perfectly capable of making my own mistakes.
@chakster Thanks, your post now shines some light onto the OP's motivation. I agree with what you say 100%. Particularly the point about the danger to a 'newbie' that could entice them to make a decision that is incorrect for their listening preferences. This thread seems to be only benefiting the OP and his own agenda.
@mijsostyn. +1000 I too am sick and tired of humans (usually dealers) assuming that they know more than I do and trying to sell me stuff. Particularly in this hobby....:0)
Unfortunately a vast number of members here seem to assume they know far more than others and insist on displaying said traits at every opportunity .......
Because I care about price as one factor in measuring value, I did an Internet search for Aidas Malachite Gold to try to find how much one would cost. Couldn't find anything by Aidas named Malachite Gold, including in their historical models. Are you sure you have the name of your highest rated cartridge correct or am I just not finding anything?
to winnardt The Malachite Gold is the 2020 model that will sell in Europe and USA from January 1st.2020 That is not our top model, but it sounds the best and beats even Mammoth at some point. The Mammoth review is at Positive Feedback latest upgrade. The re-view done by Bob Levi- one of the most respectful analog specialist in the world. Please check: https://positive-feedback.com/reviews/hardware-reviews/aidas-mammoth-gold-phono-cartridge/
Your list and the time it took to compile lost any credibility when the cartridges you (admittedly) represent finished in the top spot, and other cartridges you represent finished in the top 9. In fact cartridges you represent accounted for 33% of the top 9 cartridges in your list.
Digging deeper shows other inconsistencies. Cartridges that have proven the test of time, have numerous reviews from highly credible individuals rate at the same level as others known to sound mediocre. In many cases derivations of the same cartridges are deemed to sound identical, yet most do sound different in reality.
No mention is made of specific partnering equipment, other than tonearm type(s) and gross cost. Tube or SS ? What kind of phono stages ? Was time taken to match compliance to effective mass ? Was time taken to match cables to cartridges for capacitance ? Was alignment performed by eye and steady hand, or were electrical and visual aids used ?
Ascribing so much value to appearance as it affects resale value, and to resale value as an absolute begs the question of whether the author knows the "price of everything and value of nothing"?
Impressive "looking" list, that is all but worthless to anyone who has more than a passing interest in determining how different cartridges sound relative to each other.
Wow ! Very Impressive List, no matter what people Think (or) say. That's a lot of Brain & Leg work, My Friend. I'm a little confused on which one my Cart fell under ? My Cart is a ZYX R100 Yatra H-SB ? That's what the box says. L.O.L. In your gradings. There are TWO different ones.
#91 is The ZYX YATRA. & # 131 is the ZYX R100 H . Which one is mine Under ? Both Have Good ratings, Just saying !!
There were few Yatra cartridges made by ZYX. Yatra, Yatra R Yatra R-100, Yatra R100 MK II Yatra Sb, Yatra Z and many others. Not to mention the Japanese/Asian markets models were different from US and Europa models by specs, colors and sound sometimes.
R100 varieties has even more models include R100, Bloom, Fuji, Airy ets.
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