2. analog
  3. 1098120960

Analog Upgrade Suggestions Welcome

I am thinking of making several upgrades to my current analog rig.

Current system: click here

First, I am thinking of upgrading my VPI HW19 MKIII to the MKIV. I would like those with first hand experience to tell me if the upgrade is worth the money, and what I can expect to hear in improvement. I am currently using the SDS and SAMA modifications.

Second, I am thinking of upgrading my cartridge. My Sumiko Talisman Alchemist IIb is almost 15 years old and is ready for retirement. Some A'goNers have recommended the Shelter 501. I didn't want to spend more than $1000 for a cartidge as the majority of my listening is still redbook CD. I am open to other suggestions. I want the best cartridge for the money. Also, I am leary of buying such a fragile item used. I have heard others on A'goN say they'd never buy a used cartridge. Please share any experiences out there; good or bad.

My current cartridge has an output of 2.0mV which I assume means high output. Will I need a step-up transformer for a low output cartridge? Is the Shelter 501 at 0.4 mV considered low output? My Classe Six preamp has a phono section. The preamp comes with resistors that the user can change out to match the volume control knob position to the level of line components. I assume I'd need to change the resistor I'm using with my current cartridge. Otherwise I'd have to turn the knob way up to get enough gain with a cartridge with an output that's 1/5 that of my current cartridge. Is that correct?

Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

Cheers!

Mark
mstram
mstram OP
83 posts
 
I have spoken w/ several reputable dealers and analog "gurus" all of whom felt the Shelter 901 would be a fine match w/ the SME arm. I purchased the Shelter and it will arrive this week. Thanks for all the input!

Mark
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
Raul: I have seen you warn against he 103R on several threads, and yet, I've seen many tens of posts from users saying they are a good performer and a great value. Can you detail for us your impressions of the 103R and why you warn against its use. Please, do not just say it is "bad" or it is "garbage". Instead, some reasons and impressions. Thanks
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
Raul,
I have seen you weigh in on several threads regarding analog playback systems. Your negative, comments, your "I am right and everyone else is wrong" attitude is wearisome, rude, and uncalled for. If you cannot say something constructive without insulting someone else's choices in equipment or technique, please refrain from posting at all.

It must be a terrible burden to be right all the time while everyone else is wrong.

Mstram,
Please forgive me from hijacking your thread, but Raul travels from thread to thread with insulting remarks for anyone who does not conform to his thinking with respect to analog playback.
c123666
871 posts
 
I have used a 103R and a Dynavector DV20XH and the Denon is lovely. It compares very well to the prior Madrigal Carnegie which I traded away as it was at the end of its life and I decided not to invest in rebuilding it (maybe a mistake).

The 103 series is not only a great value it is a great sounding unit.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Mstram,
If I'd known you were ready to jump in the 901's direction I'd have offered to lend you mine at no cost but shipping. You could have made a decision based on your own ears. I'm sure you'll enjoy the cartridge, which is a pretty good one. Good luck in your analog adventures.

MSiebers,
FWIW, I have heard systems with cart/arm resonances above 12 Hz. IME the bass response of those systems was sub-optimal. There's a reason most people prefer a range of 8-12Hz, with 10Hz being optimal. It works a little better.

A Shelter performs well on your WT arm? That's great, but Mark doesn't have a WT arm. A Shelter also performs well on a modded OL Silver and even better on a mass-matched Schroeder Reference. What does any of this have to do with Mark's SME 309?

Slipknot1,
Strangely enough, Raul has made the same 10Hz recommendation that I did several times on other threads. Clearly he is disagreeing here just to be disagreeable. I interpret this as his cry for help.

Raul apparently believes that tearing someone else down builds him up. His world must be a starkly unfulfilling place. Imagine living life in a zero-sum game, with no way to increase your own worth but by reducing someone else's. What a pathetic and loveless existence. Such a person must either discover a new path or go mad.

PsychicAnimal's or Cello's prescriptions might help him. Finding God might help him. Raul has yet to discover the courage within himself to trust anything beyond himself. I hope someday he will.
More to discover