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Turntable versus tonearm versus cartridge: which is MOST important?

Before someone chimes in with the obvious "everything is important" retort, what I'm really wondering about is the relative significance of each.

So, which would sound better:

A state of the art $10K cartridge on a $500 table/arm or a good $500 cartridge on a $10K table/arm?

Assume good enough amplification to maximize either set up.

My hunch is cartridge is most critical, but not sure to what extent.

Thanks.


bobbydd

Showing 2 responses by holmz

holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 
So, which would sound better:

  1. A state of the art $10K cartridge on a $500 table/arm
  2. or a good $500 cartridge on a $10K table/arm?

I would probably go #2, or a $750-$1250 cartridge on a $5k table/arm.- Noting that the cartridge is somewhat of a consumable item.

So in the obligatory car analogy scenario:
  • The cartridge is like the tyres.
  • The arm like like the alignment and suspension all in one.

You want the table to run smoothly, and the arm to track well.After that, then one wants the cartridge to be compliant with the arm.
holmz's avatar
holmz
2,328 posts
 

Here is a sure shot:

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