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 1 response by jymc

The majority of the highly technical responses above lack practicality if one wants to avoid making a turntable system a many years long project.  There is definitely a sweet spot that "might" be achieved if just three vinyl system components, turntable, tonearm and cartridge, were were generally ranked by price/performance, and then, considered on a diminishing performance returns basis.  For example regarding the turntable piece, it makes sense to give Fieckert, Sota, Rega, Linn, etc their due when considering all the mechanical aspects of building a turntable.  There is no need for non-engineer audiophiles to be bothered with consideration for bearings, motors, and other build components....that is better left to the specialty manufacturers with proven track records.  

Furthermore, as a practical matter, it would be necessary to make the assumption that longstanding venerable brands which have achieved a consistent and positive reputation in the audiophile community, have earned that reputation as a result of ongoing technical innovation provided at a given price point.  Because of the combined electronic/mechanical nature of a turntable versus all other hifi system components, eliminating pricy esoteric fly-by-night manufacturers from consideration will weed out all but proven brands, while state-of-the-art technical leaps will be well represented by the established companies.

Yes, I wish an honest retailer was capable of taking a client's budget number to assemble a vinyl playback system, matching the turntable, tonearm and cartridge on the basis of price/performance and the diminishing performance returns analysis of each component.