The greatest MM and MI cartridges ....

There is a lot of them. The Audio Technica AT 15sa or 20ss. The Azden YM-P50Vl. The Ortofon M20fl. The Signet TK7 or 10 series. The Empire 2000E/4000D series. The Astatic MF-100. The Garrott Bros. P77. The Technics EPC 100CM MK4. The previously mentioned Graces. I could go on and on. All that I have mentioned would give any, and I do mean any MC a run for the money, beating most of them. The cartridges that I have mentioned can be found hear on this site for $50 to $300. It's depressing to know that I currently own a $3500 MC (Benz Micro Ruby III), that can only sightly better a couple of the cartridges that I mentioned. I hav other MC's that can't beat ANY of them!

Bifwynne,

None mentioned are in production today. All can be found on this site or e/bay, either used or NOS. If you want to know of a MM that is currently being manufacture today and is as good as or better than any of the ones mentioned, then get yourself a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood. New, around $1000. Used, less than half that. I bought my 3rd Virtuoso used with a new Sound Smith retip for $400 last month. This cartridge will take a back seat to NO one. Just amazing!

Bifwynne,
I agree with Rauliruegas. The SS retip did improve what was already an excellent cartridge. We are talking hear the SS basic, $150 retip. Yes, there is 2 other options from SS for additional charges, but it requires the cantiliver to be change to gem stone instead of alum. Personelly, I would be afraid it would no longer sound like a Virtuoso wood. You might like it better, you might not?

Hi Raul,

+++++"that's what I found out 4-5 years ago and I never felt " depressing " but excited for the new " discover " and I can tell you that till today that kind of excitement still there"++++.

If I put a average price (found on Audiogon or e/bay), of lets say $150 for any of the past top teir cartridges we talk about, I could have purchased and been listening to 23 of them instead of just the 1 Ruby III. I doubt if either you or I could wear out 23 top teir cartridges in whats remaining of our lives. I could wear out the Ruby in a couple of years. That's the depressing part. And yes, I'm thrilled that we can still find the old gems and have NOS stylus suplies from people like LP gear, W. Thacker, etc.

Audiofiel,

+1+1+1

HI Raul'
+++"really influenced the audio world'+++

This is not what I understand, was asked at the opening of this tread.

+++"were able to hold their sonic standard against all fashions"+++

He asked for cartridges that could perform up to todays standards.
Holding sonic standard is not the same as really influenced the audio world?
.