No cartridge is good enough.


It appears that even the very best can't extract everything from the groove. Yes, along with table/arm.
Is there any way, theoretically speaking, to take cartridge design and execution to a much higher level?
What about laser instead of cartridge/arm? I know there was/is one company that tried. It didn't sound better and required cleaning records before each play. But laser could be improved. This approach didn't take off, it would seem.
inna
Dear Inna,
The closest things to what you describe are these 2 items although the "optical" cart still uses a cantilever/stylus to trace the groove.

http://www.ds-audio-w.biz/?page_id=39

http://elpj.com/

It's a difficult proposition trying to read physical media without contact while compensating for warps, path irregularities and dirt.
The cartridge usually isn't the problem. The tonearm and its ability to track the cartridge is. If you feel you are not getting everything from the grooves its likely you have a problem with the arm more than the cartridge.

This assumes of course that the cartridge is properly loaded (should it need it) and is using a decent phono section without problems of its own.
Have you tried the best cartridges and turntables and found them lacking? My guess is you might be surprised.