How to choose a cartridge?

Aside from compliance, and whether one has enough gain and loading options, how does one choose a cartirdge?

There are a few shops that have one or two brands, and other shops that have other brands… etc.

It is a either visiting a lot of shops, or using some other method.

I have seen a few plots of response and 2nd, 3rd harmonics for a limited number of carts.

The other method is scouring the reviews and digest the colourful wording used to describe the carts.

As an example I am considering:

Does one just flip a coin?

holmz04-27-2022 2:13am

sandthemall Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 544 posts 04-28-2022 at 03:25pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Know your tonearm mass to start. Buy a few set up tools to help you dial in the cartridges. I cannot stress this enough. I've been doing his a while and am amazed by how much of a difference this makes with better cartridges. Pick a any brand and compare carts within an affordable (to you) line. Try the different stylus shapes: elliptical, microline, shibata etc.. Avoid conical unless it's the Denon 103. Try to compare a couple of carts at a time to see what you like. Enjoy the ride. I started with Grado, then Ortofon, Denon and now playing with Audio Technica. I'm also just starting my ride.