This is the question that Davey f posed on wbf recently, he added a poll with expected results I guess. Most of us take a punt every now and then unless we want to stay with the same maker. Hearing is next to impossible, which is not so good for the makers.. I am in the same position, there are carts I wish to hear, but the dealers say no demo, just buy it, so I dont.
How to choose a cartridge you can't hear on your system?
My personal cartridge history has gone from a humble Goldring to a decent Benz H2 and finally a Dynavector XV-1s. Recently my 3 year old decided to break the needle on both my Dynavector and Benz (two arm setup). This tragedy prompted a me to send my Dynavector out for re-tipping and the purchase of a new cartridge to sustain me through the expected rebuild period. I bought a decent Sumiko Evo III.
All of this is to come around to a realization. In many ways, each cartridge brings something new to the table. The Evo II had more solidity or weight to the sonic presentation than the others. The Benz had a seductive warmth and the Dynavector a detailed nuance I most enjoyed. I don't think it is possible to know ahead of hearing a cartridge in ones own system which brands house sound one prefers.
I find cartridges to be the hardest audio component to buy. How do you choose?
All of this is to come around to a realization. In many ways, each cartridge brings something new to the table. The Evo II had more solidity or weight to the sonic presentation than the others. The Benz had a seductive warmth and the Dynavector a detailed nuance I most enjoyed. I don't think it is possible to know ahead of hearing a cartridge in ones own system which brands house sound one prefers.
I find cartridges to be the hardest audio component to buy. How do you choose?