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The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges

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Posted on May 6, 2015 at 06:45:29
StevieRay
Audiophile

Posts: 359
Location: Virginia
Joined: September 7, 2000
 I have an oldie (but goodie!) VPI HW-19 Jr. turntable with a VPI HW-19 Mk III platter (lead damped) with a Rega RB300 arm with Michell Technoweight. I've had this turntable since 1991 and have no intention of upgrading, although I'm thinking of getting another low-priced deck for mono use only.

On it I have a Dynavector 10x4 -- how old I don't even know, at least 10 years. Anyway, I was looking to replace the cartridge, and thinking about a 10x5 which I really can't go wrong with -- but lo and behold, the damn cartridge is now $550!!! Up $100 from last year!!!

Side note/question: What is it with cartridges going up so much? 'Cause all the hipsters are buying vinyl again (grrrrrrr) and driving up prices (just like vinyl)? WTF??? A sumiko Blue Point no.2 for like $450? I remember buying one in the 90's for like $200. I had one before the Dynavector and I assure you it ain't worth $450 (sorry, no offense -- it is worth $200, but not $450).

So for my turntable/cartridge, you guys got any better recommendations? I run this into a cj PV10a preamp (for MM only). So no LO MC's, although I've thought about a step-up transformer.

'Thinking along these lines -- but would any make as much sense (or as much music) as the Dy. 10x5??? Must be that "$550" or less; $300 would be lots better -- got kids in college!
1. 10x5
2. Sumiko BP Special EVO III or whatever it's called
3. Denon DL-110
4. Denon DL-103R (would require step-up, so price is again back to 10x5 levels, although I have a NAD 3020B with MC input that I could use for the time being just for a phono stage)
5. Others? Ortofon 2M Blue any good?

I would rather stay away from radical stylus shapes because of the BS setup required (SRA, VTA, blah blah -- I just want to get the overhang right, get the arm reasonably level, and play music).

Of course it's not like you can go audition the dang things. I just know I like that Dynavector sound -- I play mostly rock, jazz of all kinds, and everything in between.

Thanks for some ideas and opinions!

 

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The 2M Blue is, indeed, a good choice. I also strongly recommend, posted on May 6, 2015 at 06:50:04
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
 the DL-110 and also the Nagaokas (MP-150, MP-200). These would be less than the 10X5 and, IMHO, outperform it. I'm a Dyna fan, too, having enjoyed the 20XL for some years now.







Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: The 2M Blue is, indeed, a good choice. I also strongly recommend, posted on May 6, 2015 at 06:55:32
StevieRay
Audiophile

Posts: 359
Location: Virginia
Joined: September 7, 2000
 You're saying that in your opinion the 2M Blue, Denon DL-100 and Nagaokas are better than the 10x5? Which, if any or all, are closest to the tonality of the 10x5 -- highs, lows, etc?

 

Have to agree -- It must be a Niche market, posted on May 6, 2015 at 07:35:19
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15166
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 I bought my cartridge for < $500 and now they want > $1000 for a replacement. Just out of my range for a little coil with an appendage. Crossing fingers that nothing goes wrong.

 

Ridiculous prices; there are some options..., posted on May 6, 2015 at 08:09:02
Dman
Audiophile

Posts: 7211
Location: Kansas
Joined: January 28, 2001
 When anyone talks about a ridiculous price of a cartridge, I remind myself that it is for this very reason I will keep sending my Ortofon Kontrapunkt A back to Peter at SoundSmith until it can be re-tipped/reconditioned no more- for a hair under $300, I get a new stylus and cantilever on an otherwise great sounding (and now only N.O.S. available) cart! Puts the performance into the Kontrpunkt B range, IMHO; and THAT cart (the "B" as an N.O.S.) can go into the $1K range!

What started out as a $600 buy, is at least that much on fleaBay or higher now (when I've actually seen one, that is!)...

Cheers,
Dman
Analog Junkie

 

Similar to guns and cameras there's one for everybody, posted on May 6, 2015 at 08:37:27
Craiger56
Audiophile

Posts: 5571
Location: San Jose CA
Joined: April 3, 2002
Contributor
  Since: December 29, 2003
 What's the price range now $40 to $20,000?

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 6, 2015 at 09:01:19
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2444
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 10 year old cartridge? A stylus life is about 1500-2000 hours on most cartridges. Did you ever think about Grado,they are still priced reasonable and sound great to me !

 

Good point..., posted on May 6, 2015 at 09:07:31
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 As the OP does not seem to favor 'exotic' stylus profiles, and SoundSmith re-tip in the $150 price range would include:

"Nude Elliptical" diamond for low moving mass, and an aluminum alloy cantilever."

Not a bad way to spend $150 on a cartridge one seems to like the sound of?

Link below:




First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 6, 2015 at 09:12:49
StevieRay
Audiophile

Posts: 359
Location: Virginia
Joined: September 7, 2000
 Yes, at least 10. However, it didn't get played much at all for ~5 years -- maybe just twice a year during that time.

But then I found that HW-19 III platter (WOW) and upgraded the Rega arm, and got a VPI 16.5 RCM, and started listening in earnest again to records.

So not as many hours as it seems, but I have no idea how many. And no one that I know of that can look at my stylus and tell me whether it's worn or not. I do know it still sounds pretty good; I just figured it was time for another.

 

I agree..., posted on May 6, 2015 at 09:29:49
Cuernavaca
Audiophile

Posts: 878
Location: NW
Joined: December 23, 2011
 Prices have gone up as of late, but if you shop around and aren't afraid to buy a used low hour cartridge from a reputable seller, bargains can be found. Dynavector 10X5's can be found with low hours for less than $250, just look at the various forums, US Audio Mart, Audiogon, Asylum Trader, etc.

Here is a good deal on a Denon 103R. No affiliation. The Denon doesn't need a lot of finicky set up but is a low output cartridge. The Nagaokas are an under rated cartridge that outperform a variety of cartridges, but the prices have gone up drastically the last year or so, $346(LP Gear price) for an MP-200 seems a bit much.

TR
"I've never owned a firearm, but I do have an attack parrot!"

 

Given inflation, I think that they are not that different, posted on May 6, 2015 at 09:33:07
richardl
Audiophile

Posts: 3555
Joined: September 5, 2002
 A $50 cartridge in 1990 (cheap even then) would cost $70 in 2000 and $90 today. Inflation rockets along in many things.

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 6, 2015 at 09:43:02
mcgjohn@yahoo.com
Industry Professional

Posts: 501
Location: Midwest
Joined: February 5, 2008
 StevieRay,
you are quite correct on your comment that a given cart costs more than it did a few years ago. Same is true with electronics, food, etc.

But the higher cost is not due to mfgrs simply want to charge more for a cartridge, its due to the reduced buying power of the dollar. You can thank the US Federal Reserve and their Billions of baseless money printing for that.

also may want to check out the Denon MC carts or Audio Technica MC carts. Both offer carts that are below the 500 dollar price point.

happy listening.

 

I realize that EVERYTHING costs more in general, but....., posted on May 6, 2015 at 11:00:04
StevieRay
Audiophile

Posts: 359
Location: Virginia
Joined: September 7, 2000
 Some cartridges have skyrocketed in the past year or two -- mostly the Japanese stuff -- Denon, Dynavector, etc. Is the dollar's strength and/or inflation responsible for that much of an increase (sometimes double)?

I do see where the Grado carts haven't gone up as much, maybe cause they're American made? Good for them! I love their headphones, but the carts? Those wooden body things look nice and are reasonable priced ($300 and up) but everything I've read says they're really warm sounding, which I don't think will jive with my turntable/preamp combo. The cj preamp is already warm enough.

 

I would have said Denon DL-110 but apparently price doubled in May!!!! :( nt, posted on May 6, 2015 at 11:01:35
bjh
Audiophile

Posts: 18614
Location: Ontario
Joined: November 22, 2003
 .


 

RE: Good point..., posted on May 6, 2015 at 11:05:20
StevieRay
Audiophile

Posts: 359
Location: Virginia
Joined: September 7, 2000
 Hmmm...this sounds like a good idea! Note: does the suspension also get replaced, and if so is it the same compliance?

How's the accuracy of the mounting, etc., especially the original mounting angles, azimuth, etc.?

The Rega arm doesn't allow for much of those adjustments, hence my "don't worry be happy" approach to alignment, although I am obsessive about overhang (and proud owner of a DB-10 protractor).

 

That's what I saw!!!! Price doubling in a month??? (nt), posted on May 6, 2015 at 11:06:40
StevieRay
Audiophile

Posts: 359
Location: Virginia
Joined: September 7, 2000
 (nt)

 

Yep..., posted on May 6, 2015 at 11:21:14
Lew
Audiophile

Posts: 10911
Location: Bethesda, Maryland
Joined: December 11, 2000
 That's what we need, more cheap guns.

 

I think he checks the suspension, posted on May 6, 2015 at 12:18:40
Ivan303
Audiophile

Posts: 48887
Location: Cadiere d'azur FRANCE - Santa Fe, NM
Joined: February 26, 2001
 but I can't speak to the rest.

That said, ANY new cartridge you select will require SOME set up. In this case, the $150 re-tip has the least fussy stylus profile if that's is your main concern.


First they came for the dumb-asses
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a dumb-ass

 

No, the dollar's strength should make the price of these imports go down! nt, posted on May 6, 2015 at 12:52:25
Mel
Audiophile

Posts: 2993
Location: New York City Area
Joined: February 21, 2001

 

I'm saying the Blue and 110 are worthy of consideration. I think the, posted on May 6, 2015 at 13:25:22
Opus 33 1/3
Audiophile

Posts: 4184
Location: D.C. Area
Joined: February 19, 2014
 Nagaokas are better than the 10x5 dynamically and match the response and transparency of the Dyna.





Opus 33 1/3

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 6, 2015 at 13:43:50
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2444
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Big difference between the MK 3 platter and the JR. BTW,I have the MK 3 ! Good luck with your cartridge shopping.

 

RE: Dynavector has 20% off retip exchange, posted on May 6, 2015 at 14:37:05
ydavid
Audiophile

Posts: 194
Joined: December 14, 2005
 You should be able to get 20% off any Dynavector cartridge by trading in you 10x. I traded in my 10x for the 20x at music direct for 20% discount. If you have a MC phono stage, the 20x is a nice step up especially in the inner grooves.

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 6, 2015 at 19:49:05
learsfool
Audiophile

Posts: 1001
Joined: August 4, 2008
 I have used an Exact 2 on my Rega for several years and really liked it. Because of the Dynavector price increase, that Exact 2 is now a little less. I am getting a new one next week - you might want to try it.

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 7, 2015 at 03:00:06
Munkie_NL
Audiophile

Posts: 4859
Location: Netherlands
Joined: August 24, 2003
 Yes prices have gone up and keep going up. Vinyl is hot in hi-fi land and for the hipsters. Economy is up even here in Europe. OTOH, the dance DJ's have left vinyl, all they do now is plug a USB stick into a mixer and press the PLAY button.

Which is sad because the DJ's kept the pressing plants alive in the 90s. They kept the Technics SL1200 in production. And the accessories, the headshells, the cheap carts.

A while ago i could order a new metal Jap headshell + wires + simple but OK AT DJ cart + stylus for 17.50 euro. So i could bring back a vintage Jap TT say a Pioneer Pl-12D back to life and sell it on.

No More. New headshell: 15 to 20 euro. AT cart: 25 to 30 euro. Decent hi-fi carts start at 45 to 50 euro: Ortofon OM10, Audio Technica AT-95. No way i can sell on a PL-12D at such prices. I'm out of my old stock. So this could be the end of a nice hobby. Can 't keep them all.

"The torture never stops"

Greetings Freek.

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 7, 2015 at 08:26:14
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3537
Joined: April 23, 2007
 I spoke to Harry not long ago who said that the only company that can't catch up with supply are cartridge manufacturers..second are the turntable manufacturers.

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 7, 2015 at 09:38:55
BCR
Audiophile

Posts: 2444
Location: connecticut
Joined: April 7, 2009
 Who is Harry?

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 7, 2015 at 10:39:52
SgreenP@MSN.com
Audiophile

Posts: 3537
Joined: April 23, 2007
 The leading force at VPI Industries (they make turntables, arms, and cleaning machines for records)

 

RE: Yep..., posted on May 7, 2015 at 13:19:51
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001
 And cheap liquor too!

Dave

 

Retip? (nt), posted on May 7, 2015 at 13:20:37
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 7, 2015 at 15:40:00
Sanlanman
Audiophile

Posts: 26
Location: South Carolina
Joined: May 3, 2015
 Get on Jim Pendleton's email list at Osage Audio; from time to time he runs deals and sales on cartridges and other gear by email contact only. I caught his Ortofon sale a couple years ago and bought a 2M Bronze cart for way under list price. His sales are not posted to his website, and you have to call or email him to order.

He also sells the Audio Intelligent line of record cleaning solutions that I use and like.

 

RE: The Ridiculous Prices on Cartridges, posted on May 7, 2015 at 20:50:00
Daverz
Audiophile

Posts: 2104
Location: So. California
Joined: September 24, 2002
 The Euro, Pound and Yen are all at historic low values against the dollar. If anything, the dollar is overvalued, which hurts domestic manufacturing and adds to our huge trade deficit.

 

RE: Yep..., posted on May 8, 2015 at 08:15:05
majick47
Audiophile

Posts: 799
Location: Pembroke MA
Joined: June 27, 2006
 And don't overlook the desire for a constant supply of cheap drugs.

 

Oh yea, I forgot! (nt), posted on May 8, 2015 at 10:08:34
Crazy Dave
Audiophile

Posts: 14371
Location: East Coast
Joined: October 4, 2001

 

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