Looking for a Warmer Sounding Phono Cartridge


I've grown tired of the sound of high end MC cartridges. Detail aplenty, but I've begun to detest to the screechinesssssss.

No, my system is not biased that way. I'd consider my system neutral. Components are listed below. The Koetsu RS sounds wonderful. The other cartridges in my rotation are the Hana ML and the Shelter 901 MK III. These are not described in the literature as very etched sounding nor very detail rich. They are mostly characterized as neutral.
My ears no longer tolerate the highs, anything above 3KHz I would estimate. My hearing disappears at about 8KHz. I don't have any hearing problems except for the loss of higher frequencies. I find also that I'm not as interested in "getting everything that's on the vinyl". Not anymore. I want warmth with quality. I listen to the "audiophile" recordings, to R&R LPs from the 70s and classical and opera from all eras. Some LPs are very good, some not so, but performance overrides the defects. I want to continue to enjoy all of them.

So I'm searching for a good quality warm sounding cartridge, MM, MI, MC or some other, doesn't matter.

I've been researching the field and have come up with these candidates:

- GradoTimber Master 3
- Shelter 501 Mk III
- Soundsmith Zephyr MK III

I was pretty sold on the 501. based mostly on the article by Michael Fremer, but a very helpful contact at Upscale Audio turned me onto the other two. His advice sounds very sound and seems to come from experience with all three.

I would like to keep the discussion limited to the above three and to cartridges less than $1500 USD, unless there's a really great one that I've missed.

Thanks for your help.

My stuff:

Koetsu RS, Hana ML, and Shelter 901, Musical Surroundings Nova II phono pre. Alternate pre is Paragon System E (tubes) and a DIY SUT with Cinemg 1254 trans, sometimes Apt Holman Preamp 1, Technics SL-1200G, Denon DP-57L, Levinson #38s preamp, Rane EQ and Crossover, Bryston 2.5B cubed amp, Revel M105 bookshelf speakers, and HSU 15" Sub.

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xkevemaher

First thing I would do is lowering your VTA. It might just be enough increase in the low frequencies to soften up the top end. Worth a try since it costs nothing.

I have owned both a Soundsmith and the Charisma. The Charisma is a significantly warmer sounding. It is also very dynamic and quiet because of it's Gyger S stylus. 

The Soundsmith is more accurate and just as quiet but the OP wanted warm.

IF your hearing of highs is diminished, presumably by age, this problem should not occur, and I believe any different cartridge will not solve the problem.

I suspect it is a combination of cartridge alignment, and your specific sensitivity to specific frequencies.

For vinyl only, the final solution, after checking all arm/cartridge alignments will simply be using tone control to reduce the treble.

Do you personally have the inexpensive tools and skills to do all the alignments? starting with spindle/pivot/overhang distances; moving on to the two null points; then azimuth; then simple VTA (arm parallel when playing); tracking force; last anti-skate. (VTA need not be perfected, just the simple parallel arm method)

All correct, I expect the problem will be lessened. If not, simply cut the treble with tone control a speck or two when playing vinyl.

If you do not have the tools, skills, tell us where you live, I suspect many like me will come to your house and do the alignment for you. I'm in Plainfield, NJ, 07062. If you have a removable headshell, I could bring a couple of my cartridges to see if you hear any significant differences.

@kevemaher Stated,  "I find also that I'm not as interested in "getting everything that's on the vinyl". Not anymore. I want warmth with quality. "

I like this type of approach, there is nothing like cutting through the BS and Fantastical Ideas that can be commonly seen touted.

@kevemaher I have this approach myself, I like to experience music exactly as I like, if there is a frequency that is not represented in a way another can't settle with that is fine by myself.

My Speakers are suggested by many to have shortcomings at certain frequencies, I have been loyal the the Speakers for nearly 30 Years. Also interesting when at a Public HiFi event where there were 50 Exhibitors of their Systems and more than 500 Paying Audio Enthusiasts attended, my Room was given the Best in Show Merit. So much for those Speakers that are exposed to commonly seen discrediting.

My next preferred past time with Audio, is one where I like to experience other systems that are especially created, as a result of the the owner of the system being very sure footed about how they like their musical encounters to be created for themselves. 

I am to suggest something maybe already experienced by yourself or maybe not.

I have a 5mv Output LOMC, that I can use with a few different owned Phonostages and and a few owned SUT's. Additionally I have also been able to loan SUT's and  >Head Amp's to increase the configurations.

I know the differing configurations offer a variety of the perceptions of Richness that can be created.

A Audio Innovations 800 or 1000 model SUT, is the Richest Tone I have been able to create using the MM Input.

My Cinemag 1254 is my favourite SUT and is the SUT with least Rich Tone I have encountered using the MM Input, it is almost parity with a Head Amp design I use, which I will refer to as being leanest ancillary used on a MM Input. 

I have used the MC Input option, but I have not been able to Wed to this as a permanent method to use a LOMC.

I also use the 5mv Output LOMC directly into the MM Input, this as a method does mean the VC will be dialed clockwise more than usual to get the required listening levels. 

The 5mv Output directly into the MM Input also produces the Richest Tones I have heard in any replay in any system. 

I tell friends that immediately available is a variety of Cart's traits all to be found in one Cart'.  

Does the method get everything that is on vinyl?, does it really matter?

I suggest the Shelter is first selected to be tried through the MM Input as I believe it has a 5mv Output, I feel confident you will experience a substantial increase in the perception of a Rich Tone being produced.

I don't know how the 4mv Output Cart's will adapt to this method, but it is well worth a try.   

If you want warm, and enjoy Koetsu already, I assume you are looking for an alternative to Koetsu, rather than asking us to say "More Koetsu!"

I guess Benz Micro are renowned as warm MC cartridges. I'm biased towards MI cartridges, as their liveliness is a major win on a different axis to frequency response. Two people have mentioned the Nagaoka MP-500, which is price:worth winner. You can get better still in that way, and the more you spend on a Grado or a Soundsmith the more you can have. If londondecca.com ever make a new Reference cartridge I could say buy that, but it might not happen.

Or I could get cheap, and suggest different loadings to tame your existing MC cartridges.