Shelter Cartridges?

Don't have any personal experience with one, Gary, but I did have it recommended to me as well when I was cart shoppin'. You might want to do a search over at the Vinyl Asylum:

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/vinyl/

There seemed to be quite a few fans of that cartridge over there.

 

This guy has had some good experiences with Shelter too.

http://www.21stcenturyservices.com/audio/Shel_901.htm

http://www.21stcenturyservices.com/audio/Shel_501.htm


cheerio

 

i've been seeing a lot about these cartridges lately too.

Here's a great looking Teres table. The owner of the table Wayne makes some great sounding cables.

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/viewtopic.php?t=3776

 

How about trying a DENON DL-103 MC cartridge. It's sounds quite neutral on my tube based system. They track at 2.3 to2.8 grams, have a conical shaped stylus and are VERY easy to set up. They are very LOW compliant , so a medium mass or heavier tonearm is advised. I have gone from an Ortofon OM series (little trebly) to the Shure M97XE (BORING but good tracker) to the Denon. A HUGE difference i might add.

 

I'm amazed that the DL-103 is still around. I first heard one of those in the '70's! It sounded very nice then, I can't help but wonder if it isn't a bit dated now. The spherical stylus was actually an attraction then, but we hadn't discovered yet that VTA made a difference. Nowadays I suspect I'd find it had a bit more inner groove distortion than I'd like (because of the spherical).

cjc, I agree with your assessments: I tried an Ortofon OM-10 (admittedly the low end) and found it horribly clinical and cold. The M97 was perfectly decent and competent, but not terribly exciting.

On the subject of Benz, I have one of the low end units right now (I think probably the cheapest one they sell). It also requires a slightly higher than usual tracking force, and has a bit more inner groove distortion than I like. Also it brings back the occasional problem with sibilance mistracking I'd banished with the Shure V15VMR. I was going to sell it, for those reasons, but then I put on Dave Mason's "Alone Together", and, well dang, those drums sounded good. It turns out to be a very nice sounding cartridge, except on hard-to-track disks. When it falls apart, it falls apart.

Never heard of Shelter, though.

 

Actually, Gary, I believe its origin is Japan, but with just one American importer. At least accordin' to this page:

http://www.theanalogdept.com/shelter_501-ii.htm

 

Just out of curiousity, how much are these, ball-park?

edit - I checked the URL above and found $800 msrp. Considering what other MC manufacturers are charging, VanDenHul(sp), Benz, Clearaudio Etc., this is reasonable.

 

I paid $1000.00 for the Ruby2 which was a "re-tip" from Benz. From what I understand when a cartridge is sent in for re-tipping to Benz you essentially get a New cartridge and the re-tip you supplied is sent through a process.
Whatever I like the way my Ruby2 sounds in my system.
I have a late model LP12/Ittok LVIII/Valhalla/Cirkus and the Benz with a Pass Labs Aleph Ono. The combination suits my ears. There is a little more weight when comparing same titles/masterings, Steve's, compared to my Sonic Frontiers SFCD-1 which I like.
But back to your observation, maybe the link I was viewing had an old MSRP? I'd check with other outlets to verify the price and present your findings to the retailer who has been working with you. If they have been honest and imparted good information to you I would honor them with the sale.
That's just me but if a local retailer helps me out I try to reciprocate. I generally find most realize the challenge regarding mail order/internet sales and find they'll meet, beat or get real close. Having a local place to discuss, question and acquire information is a valuable resource. On the other hand I have found a lot of mail order/internet retailers are good for only price. Plus I always rather a local retailer to return broken or defective merchandise.
But as I assume you know all this and we all find retailers who talk up their selection and dis the others. That's another story and I have run into retailers who have cut their own throats if they think I was buying their opinion.