$800 Cartridge Shootout and Upgrade Path



I am putting together an analog system, starting with the cartridge. I like a well-balanced sound with a slightly lush midrange and excellent extension at the frequency extremes. The cartridge should be a reasonably good tracker. Here are my choices:

1. Dynavector Karat 17D MkII
2. Shelter 501
3. Sumiko Black Bird
4. Grado Statement Master
5. Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood

Which one comes closest to my wish list? Which one would you choose?

Here are the upgrade cartridges to the above list, one of which would be purchased later:

1. Shelter 901
2. Benz Micro L2
3. Grado Statement Reference
4. Koetsu Black

Which one comes closest to my wish list? Which one would you choose?

Now, which turntable/tonearm combination (for new equipment up to $4,500) would you choose to handle a cartridge from the first group and the upgrade cartridge from the second group?

Any help you can provide is greatly welcomed. Thanks!
artar1
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.
Raul,

TWL has taken many hours of his time defending his position, but you can't find the time to REALLY defend yours.

Furthermore, you're requesting more time from TWL when you haven't created a solid argument on your end. Look, if your going to take a position atleast defend it!

Furthermore, you say "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 )." What's this subjective B.S.? Bla, Bla, Bla.

The only thing you've proven up to this point is that you have a week defense for your position. Please, write something meaningful where I can learn something.....
Dear Flg2001: The designers of Acoustic Signature are the same of Acoustic solid.
Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dsiggia: First I'm not defending my position. If you don't believe or can't understand the " live experience " issue, that's your problem and that's why you " can't learn something ".
BTW, I like your Tyler's.
Regards and always enjoy the music.
Raul.