What are the most important qualities of a cartridge?

ripblade said:
Guess I'm not as lucky as you. Last one was one of the new nude ellipticals. It's zenith was out by a full 90. Several others I've come across - including OEM, aftermarket and retips - have slight zenith and azimuth errors, but not as severe. Sometimes audible, most times not.
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Guess I have been lucky, but if I did I would just exchange it.
 
Crab33 said:
A pleasing cartridge obviously mixes all of the above factors in an appealing recipe (which is subjective), but which do you consider the most important in choosing or recommending a cartridge?
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Interesting question, and I think I would rank the order of importance as starting with tracking, then going on to dynamics, tonal balance, detail, and imaging. I don't really know what to think of "finesse" as a cartridge attribute.
 
Being the vast majority of my collection is used and not perfect, I seek out cartridges that make the highest percentage of my LPs listenable. A conical cartridge that came with a table I purchased decades ago is the winner for listening to well worn records. I am sorting records that I love but refuse to listen to on my more revealing cartridge because of groove noise and premature wear they would cause, but the worn LPs do become easy to listen to with the conical. If I purchased a uber revealing MC I would have to spend $$$ getting better copies of my favorite LPs and that aint going to happen.
 
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