Is There An "Absolute" Best Cartridge?

Nandric,

"Kantian apriory truths... I don't believe in any a priori truth"? I think, the Kant of the Critiques is a little more complex and useful than this. I refer to the fact that the notions regarding the "best" obviously drags up questions of "truth", "opinion" and "certainty" and these are key aspects of the radical investigations that Kant undertakes in the Critiques. Strangely, I feel that the problems that are being touched upon in this thread only reinforce that real complexity and demand an agreed and identifiably limited field of reference when we/anyone begins to make claims about 'what is the best'.

Maybe Raul would agree that his use of the term is limited to something like: "that which is most able to accurately reproduce a prerecorded event." Of course, the noted surrounding "conditions" would still leave room for variables, although these might be insignificant in a given and controlled set of circumstances.

Hi Nandric,

The Critiques, particularly in the ultimate Critique of Judgement (1790) is a far more aporetic contemplation than the modern reading that you highlight suggests. This is hardly the place to discuss this but (Frege, Russell and related mathematical thinkers not withstanding) the review of thinking that he undertakes there exceeds some of the issues that we are touching upon within the questions of "the best". I find a friend's work to be a fairly useful in-road to a rewarding reconsideration: 'A Kant Dictionary', Howard Caygill (Blackwell, 1995). As I said, what emerges is the very real complexity that besets this debate unless limitations to the discourse and claims are established. Maybe a clear announcement of what we mean by "best" would therefore be helpful in our context.

Concerning Raul as a person, I don't really think our personal opinions of him should interfere. I own the Technics and in fact share his views about its performance. However, I limit my claim to "the best I have ever heard": at once declaring my limitations (subject to time and space as they are) and leaving open the possibility that it is the best there ever was!

T_bone,

I'm not sure, I've not asked them recently but I suspect one or two of them might!

Dertonarm,

There must be a way that you could both select your preferred set up (the one in which you feel your best cartridge performs to its optimum)and let others judge the merits of each. If you were then both free to issue personal invitations, surely there would be some mileage in such a comparison.

I suspect this would move many forward in their pursuit of audio excellence and it would certainly demonstrate the merits of many significant claims. Of course, this would depend on you and Raul demonstrating your commitment to advancing the world of audio, which must be a key part of a site such as Audiogon and related claims?

Hi All,

I really hope you guys do meet up to establish some values regarding equipment and capacity. I'm sure that as the time fast approaches for any agreed meeting antagonism will be replaced by increasing mutuality and respect. However, as long as acknowledged truths (few as these might be!!) about equipment is the end result of the proposed meetings, the hifi world and Audiogon will surely be the winners.

Now the question: who blinks first?

Enjoy

Siniy123,

A typically thought provoking and interesting take on the performance of MCs and IMs compared to MMs. Something to consider and explore in the days ahead.

Thanks