World's most expensive pick-up cartridge: Clearaudio Insider Gold

It's not the world's most expensive cart. Koetsu makes cartridges that exceed $12K. I've heard a Koetsu "Blue Lace" that retails for $20K. Only 7 were made.

 

For that price it better personally invite whomever is playing on the record to my house for a live performance -- and no, I don't care if he's deceased!

 

A deceased performer might smell a bit, and body parts ay fall off, which could make it hhard to play guitar...

 

He wouldn't have the "breath of life".

 

I had a thread about cartridge prices a while ago

 

There's actually a BRAND NEW one for sale at 36% of retail ($4795) right now at Audiogon:

Insider Reference Gold

Sure hope they kept the deposit!

 

I've heard that cartridge on a Clearaudio Reference turntable and it's probably the best analog sound I've heard. It's hard to tell just how good it was as a stand alone piece because the rest of the system was comprised of top notch high end components selling for megabucks.

 

There are many cartridges in that price point including a special Lyra.

 

A Lyra rep(Immedia) told me at CES 2004 that there is a "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" cartridge goes for around $12K and only limited quantity was ever made.

 

Audio Note also has a cart in the $15K range...