Upgrade Denon 103 R to Shelter 501 II?

The 501 is no upgrade. There are a handful of cartridges at that price that offer much more. Ditto the 901. Actually, IMO, the entire Shelter line is overpriced considering the available alternatives from Sumiko, Zyx, and Dynavector.

Wow - makes me wonder if something was wrong with my Denon! I was never that impressed with the 103r I had in my rig, despite all the high recommendations.

Wow - makes me wonder if something was wrong with my Denon!

If the Denon is really that good, why do't they raise the price to an appropriate level? Do ya think that Denon has no one with ears that can hear its superior quality, or marketers to sell it? I'm skeptical. Yeah there are giant killers out there. Maybe the 103 is one. But giant killers have limits. This one seems limitless according to all the hype. I'm sorry, but I just don't buy it. I was going to, but it has been oversold to the point where I'm now too skeptical.

What about the Sumiko Blackbird? Or what else in the $800 (retail) price range?

Springbok 10, I have a Nottingham Spacedeck with the Shelter 501 and use the Eastern Electric phono stage and it is a wonderfull combination. I have heard great things about the Denon but not at the 800-1200 level. I did listen to the Sumiko Blackbird and it didn't seem as rich to me, a little thin compared to the Shelter, but I did like it better than my Dynavector and would have been very happy with it until I heard the Shelter. That was with a Rhea phono stage and two identical VPI scouts through the same system. I think that the Shelter/EE is a wonderfull combo. Also, I would highly recommend Vintage tube service for NOS tubes for the EE, boy was that a treat.