Price: $4995

Website: www.vandenhul.com

Tom said: The van den Hul Crimson Stradivarius sounds more neutral, even, balanced, and real than any other cartridge I have heard. By definition, that makes it, for me, of reference caliber, and a perfect addition to a reviewer’s toolbox or a music lover’s analog source.

Read the SoundStage! Ultra review.

The gist: An analog masterpiece by a master craftsman.