Highest detail cartridges

Which cartridges give the greatest amount of detail? Imaging, soundstage file detail. These are qualities to consider. I know Lyra cartridges are high on that list. What others equal or better Lyras. Is there anything below, say $1500, that is in that same category? Detail with reasonably flat frequency response.

bpoletti08-04-2018 2:51pm

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chakster Details Discussions Posts This discussion 6,144 posts 08-05-2018 at 12:49am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Here is a short list of oustanding MM cartridges: Audio-Technica AT-ML180 OCC Victor X-1II Technics EPC-100c MK4 Technics EPC-205c mk4 Stanton CS-100 WOS Pioneer PC-1000 mkII Grace LEVEL II MR/BR Grace F-14 Ruby Glanz MFG-61 Here is the short list of MC cartridges that i like a lot: Victor MC-1 Fidelity-Research FR-7fz and FR-7f Klipsch MCZ-10 Ruby Dynavector KARAT 23RS MR Dynavector KARAT 17DS MR Ortofon MC-2000 All cartridges are from the golden age of analog, reasonably priced today on the used market.
ninetynine Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 135 posts 08-05-2018 at 06:31am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Hi BIF i have a MIMC sounds very neutral. Not so wide as my Frog, but this is not easy to compare when frequency responses are so different. Here some measurements from last week. Kiselkis from a dealer and to compare my Frog and MIMC https://www.dropbox.com/s/d4n2ajv3lhnsaki/Messungen%202x%20Kiseki%20Blue%202x%20Purplehead.jpg?dl=0
sleepwalker65 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 832 posts 08-05-2018 at 07:41am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I’m very impressed with my Audio Technica VM540ML cartridges. I’ve got one on a Technics SL-1700mk2 and another on a Technics SL-Q2. Admittedly, they are the most expensive cartridges I own, and I can’t stomach the idea of spending over $500, let alone $1000 or more on a cartridge.
amg56 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 887 posts 08-05-2018 at 10:10am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Behind every good cartridge is a phono stage. IMHO just as important in the equation.
nandric Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,086 posts 08-05-2018 at 10:22am Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Dear chakster, I consider you as the fastest learning member in our forum. In Raul's terminology you must have very high 'learning curve''. I am member since 2007 and participated in MM thread since. But I have never heard about Pioneer PC 1000, mk 1, not to mention mk 2. Lucky me I do recognise all other carts you mentioned otherwise I would belong to the ''category'' of ''ignorant''. Will you be so kind to ''explain'' this choice ?