Question Two questions about cartridges

[Hifiver]

I am considering upgrading to a cartridge costing nearly £1,800 on a turntable I have, which was £2,000 new.

My dealer is coming to my home, so I can hear it on my current set-up, prior to deciding.

He is going to remove my current stylus and fit the new one, given that I am inexperienced in doing so.

Q.1 For pricey set-ups, do you prefer a dealer to fit a new stylus, when you purchase one irrespective of your experience?

Q.2 Has anyone else here spent nearly as much on a cartridge as they have the turntable?

 

[Gray]

Q.1 For pricey set-ups, do you prefer a dealer to fit a new stylus, when you purchase one irrespective of your experience?

If I was going to spend £1800 on a cartridge (😆 not even if I were a multimillionaire) I would prefer a any damage risk to be on the dealer 👍

 

[Hifiver]

I only wondered, as I know some people buy cartridges online.

I prefer dealing face to face with a dealer.

 

[Gray]

I only wondered, as I know some people buy cartridges online.

Yes, I did, but mine was 60 times less expensive than what you're buying.

I prefer dealing face to face with a dealer.

You and dealers are good for each other 👍

 

[Integralista]

I am considering upgrading to a cartridge costing nearly £1,800 on a turntable I have, which was £2,000 new.

My dealer is coming to my home, so I can hear it on my current set-up, prior to deciding.

He is going to remove my current stylus and fit the new one, given that I am inexperienced in doing so.

Q.1 For pricey set-ups, do you prefer a dealer to fit a new stylus, when you purchase one irrespective of your experience?

Q.2 Has anyone else here spent nearly as much on a cartridge as they have the turntable?

Hi,
Q1: No dealer needed for me (at home). I have quite a lot of experience with turntables, cartridges...But if he can help you with set up, why not. You may learn from him.
Q2: Yes, some turntables deserve this level of cartridge.
By the way, which turntable do you use?
Pls. let us know your experience with dealer and new cartridge. BR.

 

[Al ears]

Yes, I did, but mine was 60 times less expensive than what you're buying.

You and dealers are good for each other 👍

Well he's certainly good for his dealer.....
and no, I wouldn't consider fitting a cartridge of that price to a turntable of that price unless I knew the cartridge and tonearm in question.
Do tell exactly what you have.

 

[abacus]

Unless your experienced, let the dealer do it.

Bill

 

[nopiano]

A1. No, but only because I worked for over a decade at a hifi store, so could fit cartridges in my sleep back then! These days I prefer a detachable headshell though.

A2. Yes, but not for a long time.

The respective prices may not be relevant, but knowing the rest of your kit, especially the phono stage, is essential! 🙂

 

[Gray]

Do tell exactly what you have.

Just a mere AT VM-95E

Not in regular use these days - last used just to confirm that the phono amp in a new Cyrus amp was working.

 

[Al ears]

Just a mere AT VM-95E
View attachment 10985
Not in regular use these days - last used just to confirm that the phono amp in a new Cyrus amp was working.

Aha! My question was directed at the OP

 

[Gray]

Aha! My question was directed at the OP

Oh right, of course👍

I'd like to think that expectation bias (and dealer influence) won't be an issue when the OP gets his home demo.
But I'm realistic. Who couldn't have expectations?
I've had expectations, prior to genuinely blind testing cartridges and phono amps.
Based on my experience with that, good advice to the OP might be - don't do any blind testing after spending £1800.