do you really think you can make a good turntable purchase decision based on a needle drop ? Let alone, as Bruce has mentioned...one done with an inferior a/d ?
I believe I qualified my statement. I am not buying a turntable. I like what I have.
There obviously are lots of variables here. As far as using hi rez digital files as rail guides, I would have to say on the basis of what I hear from file 5, no, I would not buy that cartridge when I could buy the cartridge from 8 for much less. Remember, the Anna also has the benefit of a superior phono stage and turntable as well, it should be markedly, noticibly better even in a digital file.
The so called "blind" listening is supposed to be for fun and speculation anyway, not argument.
To state
preferences is taking a risk when you don't know specifically what equipment you are listening to. I took the challenge and I am fine with having egg on my face if that is what happens. I am certainly not going to say I suddenly like 5 better when I don't just because somebody said 5 was the more expensive equipment.
I am not opposed to expensive equipment when it serves its purpose, so I would also have no problem saying the speculative Anna/Caliburn was superior in file 5 if that is what I heard.
If 8 is a modest cartridge on a modest turntable with a relatively modest phono stage and sounds like that, than that would make it a bit of a find that fits my PREFERENCES quite well. Also, I have to date not heard a digital recording of an LP that sounds as good as the LP playing on a decent rig, so there's that, too, maybe the Anna/Caliburn have some quality that does not convey through the digital file.