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

solypsa Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 462 posts 04-27-2022 at 04:46pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete You can generalize a bit using various specs ( stylus profile, cantilever material, magnet type, coil materials, etc. ) however carts, being basically handmade transducers, are very much a product of the maker. I find it fascinating how different carts can sound despite using similar materials and techniques. For some this is the fun of it ( trying, learning )...