Is There An "Absolute" Best Cartridge?

If it were asked "Is there a best way to build a specific house", the conclusion is obvious. If rephrased as "build the ABSOLUTELY best house", then aesthetic opinion intrudes.

Seiji Ozawa or Fritz Reiner impart individual interpretation to a given composition, one is free to say he prefers either. Respected opinion is contingent to knowlegable justification. Until reasoned comparative analysis can demonstrate another cartridge being superior and although a larger sampling population would be appropriate before stating absolutes, Raul's assertion remains uncontested but not inviolate.

Regarding a prior post, I do appreciate your point. I know you said: "The cart in your own TT is the best one for you" (qualifier) "AT THAT TIME", but rhetorically, if one had two cartridges, does the second (like Schrodinger's cat) enter a cognitive limbo when stored, couldn't it still be possible to say the unused other is better?

Regards, Raul: Your accessment of the EPC-100M4: as wines can be reds, whites or the bubbly kind, sweet, nutty, fruity or dry, your Sommelier would suggest that one would be more appropriate in a certain set of conditions without intending the exclusion of others as being equally rewarding in different circumstances. Different vintages and social circumstance make this an open system.

Dertonarm, Travbrow, Nandric and others have politely expressed this concern relating to audio. With much respect for your pursuit of excellence and with recognition that logically there must be a "worse" and a "better", until systems and listeners are mass produced with cartridges as the only variable and all wines except one are blended in a closed system universiality, absolutes in an open system setting are contradictary. In practice(!), performance is a matrix of compatibilities and good or bad, integration remains system dependent. I wouldn't argue the quality a cartridge I don't know, it's the term "absolutely" I stumble over. Meanwhile, I'll remember knowledgable Raul stated it the absolute best he ever experienced and find fault with neither if someone else's fine tonearm thinks otherwise.

Ebm: Thanks for the humor ;-). You were joking, right?

Regards, Raul, Dertonarm: Rousseau was sometimes thought of as being more emotional than intellectual. An audiophiles' appreciation for music might be considered in similar terms.

Aristotles' "There is no accounting for taste" gives recognition to the integration of the sensitive and sensible in the individual. As there is no justification for mediocrity other than overwhelming force of circumstance, when tempered with economic, enviornmental and aesthetic concerns, these can be useful measures when examining the range between what an audiophile wants and what that audiophile needs. Arbitors can expect to sometimes find differing opinions from informed and knowledgable others. This was eliminated five centurys ago by appointed authority adopting the policy of "volonte' absolue", a factor in the reformation, the refutation of the flat earth/center of the universe beliefs, numerous revolutions and ultimately, authority by selection.

Raul, I regard you as intelligent, informed and progressive through what you have previously written, but insistence in absolutes places evaluation in (re. Nandric) the position of being either totally true or totally false. Again, I have no foundation for disagreement with your selection of the EPC-100m4 as the absolute best you have yet experienced but even my minimally enlightened perception still respects the validity of informed opinion and well examined personal choice by others. The only absolute I'm aware of I'd prefer to avoid.

As semantics make my head hurt almost as much as Nandric's metamathmatics, I'll say no more in this matter, except thanks for your generous sharing of information and energy. Peace, and of course, enjoy the music.

Regards, all: I am sure there are others who appreciate the concept of a meeting of audio cognoscenti to sample and compare well respected sources in a controled setting, but will be unable to participate and enjoy the experience. A recording might serve as a reference for those who would consider "adopting" one or several, but lack the opportunity to audition numerous high end cartridges. This could serve as a foundation for future reference (remember http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1246451558&&&/Establishing-a-common-analog-listening-b?) and as a tool related to individual system evaluation.

Details would be as agreed upon by the participants but I would be pleased to "subscribe" to a CD (with appropriate material identifying the cartridge, TT, RTR, musical selection etc.) in advance. One might anticipate the possibility this could be an event held in various locations in the future.
Just a thought.

Downunder: That's going to be a long list, throw my name in the hat, too.

Regarding the Acutex, two months ago I purchased an LPM 412STR for approx. $50, NOS and free shipping from Greece. The intended use was to test used vinyl and I anticipated the stylus would be demolished in short order. Within two hours of finishing preliminary setup it was apparent the Acutex was something special. Intrigued, I found another (on that auction site), a LPM 312E, $27 delivered. It's now upgraded with the modified Shibata M312STR-111 stylus. Currently I'm waiting for delivery of several NOS M315STR-111 stylii.

I did suggest to Raul that as he had the Acutex LPM 315STR in his possesion and as I found it's later incarnation and little brother the LPM 412STR very enjoyable, he might give his 315 another listen. Although I've had occasion to question Raul's statements (forgive me, Raul) it's been a matter of semantics, not his discernment relating to audio.

Power and presence are the hallmark of the Acutex. I'm listening further into the music than any other MM/MI/IM cartridge I've heard, including several "legendary" carts I own and am quite familiar with. Downunder, your Technics cartridge would be welcome to stay with the Grace F9E and F9L, AKG P8E and P8ES, Empire 1000ZE/X, Azden YP50VL and other well regarded (by some) Shure, Orto., Goldring, AT and others I've collected over the decades. None (IMHO) equal the Acutex.

I'm neither pushing or peddling. There is currently a window of opportunity to obtain a limited number of rare NOS 312, 315 and (perhaps) 320 stylii. The cartridge body LPM 3XXE-111 or LPM 3XXSTR-111 show up from time to time, stylii are interchangable but only within the series. With reluctance and reservation I suggest those who take advantage of this availability and have the persistence to locate these items should have no regrets they did so.

Usual disclaimers and please understand I've said more than needs to be said. This is Raul's thread and besides, Raul is much more knowlegable (and entertaining) in his response.