LP Gear is selling a couple carts that they have labeled DEFT cartridges but don't indicate what makes them so special, if anything. Does anyone here know what a DEFT cartridge is, who manufactured it, and if it's worth $100? Their descriptive hyperbole is useless so I'm depending upon you all to guide me as I will be spending a small fraction of my tax refund to either buy a new cart or else stock up on JICO styli for carts I already have.

Of course the spouse has plans enough to spend the whole thing several times over. None of her plans include a phono cartridge. She wants new paving stones even though we replaced them all just three years ago and, believe me, they still look fine save for a little moss. Her idea is to clean them by replacing them. When I suggest a pressure wash I got the look.

All you married men know what that is.

LP Gear is selling a couple carts that they have labeled DEFT cartridges but don't indicate what makes them so special, if anything. Does anyone here know what a DEFT cartridge is, who manufactured it, and if it's worth $100? Their descriptive hyperbole is useless so I'm depending upon you all to guide me as I will be spending a small fraction of my tax refund to either buy a new cart or else stock up on JICO styli for carts I already have.

Of course the spouse has plans enough to spend the whole thing several times over. None of her plans include a phono cartridge. She wants new paving stones even though we replaced them all just three years ago and, believe me, they still look fine save for a little moss. Her idea is to clean them by replacing them. When I suggest a pressure wash I got the look.

All you married men know what that is.

My girlfriend brought up marriage once, woke me up around 7 in the morning while we were still in bed. Stealing a line from 'Friday' I mumbled an order for burgers "and all the fries you can give me" and rolled back over:boring:. For some reason The Topic never came up again.

I've had the Deft hyperelliptical for about 2 months and I agree the LPGear blurb is vague with a little too much hyperbole. That being said I believe I understand what they are getting at: It's a warm/neutral cart with very good low and high frequency extension. Highs are clear, tight definitely not bright. I found the midrange to be warm, slightly veiled. Imaging and channel separation are very, very good. No problem placing instruments, vocals. Tracks very well. I've never heard the Shure 97 or a Grado, but from other people's descriptions it sounds like the Deft straddles the two but w/ good highs. Very 'analog'.

I have a DL-110, a Soundsmith Otello, and the Deft on rotation and I think it holds its own pretty well. I have a soft spot for it. It's great for worn LPs. Whenever I swap it in, I find I have to turn the bass down a little. It's got booty.:music:

hth