LO MCs carts with RM-9/Shindo pre?

Paul,

You really need to find out, perhaps from the Shindo ditributor/dealer, the electrical characteristics of the step up transformer. Unless the step up transformer has multiple windings and taps, it really will be optimized for only cartridges with a particular coil impedance and the need for a particular amount of gain from the transformer.

If I recall correctly, there is a Shindo preamp that has a step up transformer optimized for the Ortofon SPU. I think this is a low output cartridge with a very low impedance. Low output cartridges usually have fewer windings (hence the low output) which also means low impedance, so this combination is not unusual.

Whatever the case may be, you do need to some matching to the transformer to get best results.

The step-ups in the Shindo preamps are indeed optimized for a SPU. That means we are talking about 2 ohms impedance. The SPUs are still (for now available). Ortofon is currently making one last batch of SPU-As. I have two on order.

However, the SPU is a really heavy cartridge and is meant for high mass arms. If you don't want to go that route, it would be better to get a dedicated step-up instead.

I have heard most of the Shindo preamps (except the Petrus) with a variety of cartridges. Hands down, the Shindo modified SPU wins but that may not the right cartridge for everyone.

If you don't have a high mass arm, then I would recommend the following possibilities.

1) cheapest-get an Auditorium 23 100 ohm step-up and run a Denon 103. A pretty good combo.

2) Try the nude version of an EMT TSD15. The TSD15 is a great MC cartridge. The standard TSD15 is in a heavy housing and works in the same situations as a Ortofon SPU. The nude version is just that a nude mount TSD15 meant for standard mount arms.

3)The 47 Labs MC Bee. Another nude mount cartridge. Should work directly into the Shindo MC input. Different sound than the EMT. More like a Koetsu.

4) Miyabi 47 is a also a good fit. It has an impedance that's close enough to the Shindo for a reasonable match.

5) get the A23 step-up and run an EMT JSD5. The JSD5 is an awesome cartridge that is lightning fast but not clinical and dry.

Of these 4 possibilities, option #5 gave the best sound in my opinion. I owned that set-up for a month before trading it in for a Shindo 301 set-up.

If you like a dynamic and fast sound go with the EMT. The MC Bee or Denon is a bit softer/warmer. Both are good, it's a matter of preference and money.

Thanks for all the thoughts. Thoroughly sick as I am, I decided that the carts I'm looking at outclass my table/arm and I'll just upgrade the whole shebang.

I am looking at going to the Merrill MS2 - a Norvinz product, yes, and apparently an extremely good one. Will get to hear at RMAF.

Cart recommendation I'm getting is the Ortofon Kontrapunkt which is also an extremely low impedance cart that should work very well with the Shindo step-ups.

Arm might be a Triplanar or a more modest Hadcock or a Graham 2.2 I already bought.

Paul,Wise choices.I havent heard a Merrill table in many years
and the Triplaner 6 and 7 are top notch performers.The Graham 2.2 is not that far behind and being you already own it....
You now will have a 2 channel set up that could compete with the best out there.
Enjoy your new system and the RMAF