$800 Cartridge Shootout and Upgrade Path

Flg2001,

Thanks for sharing your turntable shortlist. It’s always nice to get input!

I think my time for further exploration and rumination has come to an end; a decision is at hand! During the last couple of days I have entertained thoughts of fancy and rampant daydreaming. But enough is enough. I have grown a little tired of the process, which is a good thing, for it means a decision is very close. Well, it’s even closer than that; it’s here in fact. So here it is, my final selection:

Teres 255 Turntable, $2,775
Origin Live Illustrious, $2,400
Shelter 501 II, $800

Analog front-end price = $5,975.00 (Shipping not included)

Anyone who has been reading this thread, perhaps, could have foreseen this outcome; I am so predictable. As for the cartridge upgrade path, that honor falls to the ZYX R-100 Fuji FS. Once again I am sure that comes as no big surprise. How could I ignore Doug’s influence, right?

While the $5,975 is a little more than I wanted to spend originally (It’s all your fault Doug!), this amount will give me a really good system that I won’t need to ever upgrade, except for the cartridge of course, and maybe not even then.

Congratulations on reaching your resolution, Atar1. You will have a very rewarding and enjoyable analog front end. Best wishes!

Yep, you sure did make the right choice on the table. I don't think you'll be doing any complaining, except for going over budget, which seems to be inevitable!

And yes. Doug can be very persuasive. I can't wait to hear Raul tell you how bad your choices are!

Enjoy, & keep us posted.

Twl: I can't find time for give some answers to your post on the cartridge/tonearm/TT subject. You told us:

" I maintain that the transducer is limited by the turntable, and that in real-world situations, a moderately good transducer working at maximim performance on a top-notch turntable, will outperform a top-notch cartridge working at reduced performance on a moderately good turntable ", and you told us in this thread that you already test this opinion, in that post I ask you why don't share with us:

When you do that? ( last time ).
Which was the two analogs systems?
Where do you do that?
For how much time do you that?

You never give an answer. Can you give it to all of us?

I do a little research of all the people in this thread: audio system, other threads, answers, reviews. I find that only four of 20+ persons are really experts on the subject, when I say experts is because they have a high resolution audio system and they have " live experience " ( that's mean: in their own audio system at home ) in the subject ( at least ).

You and Artar1 are inexpert and that's why you can't understand: you don't have " live experience ". One thing is to take " the book " or use the common sense an speak about any subject and other thing is to have " live experience ".

You have a " long road to home ". Both of you have 30+ years ( at least this is what you told us )of experience in audio and you are ( still ) at a low level of the music reproduction at home: I can't understand why you are not growing up a little faster or maybe you already think are right on target.

This thread, like any other one, it is not a contest: it is not important who are right, the issue is that all of us can learn and can grow up on the musical reproduction at home.

The less mistakes we do the faster we can grow up ( with less waist time and less waist money ): " live experience " is the name of the game ( yes, it helps too read reviews, Audiogon threads, " live experience " other than at home, books and some other stuff ).

Artar1: " you can't go wrong with the 103R ...", this was your advise to Flg2001: sure he can go wrong with that garbage of cartridge. You can't do that an Audiogoner goes in to mistakes only because you do that mistake and because you don't have " live experience " with decent cartridges: this kind of attitude don't help to any one, including you.

I know that I'm not " soft and kind " like you Twl and maybe that's don't help to have a better understanding.

Dear friends: I almost always try to " work " on real facts,
my advise to you is that try in the same way: " live experience ".

Best regards and always enjoy the music.

Raul.

Artar 1,

Congratulations on working through your decision process in a way that not only gives you comfort, but even someone to blame! I haven't actually heard any of the components you chose, but I get credit for the nice wood finish, right? :)

Since I own a close relative of each of your choices I predict much musical satisfaction and happiness.