VPI Aries 2 , SME IV and Benz Micro Ruby 2 .

Of the choices you listed, I would opt for the Shelter, but I agree with Kehut. The Airy 3x SB would be better and the UNIverse is better than the Airy but it costs twice as much.

Thanks Kehut and Nrchy. Does anyone have a comparison of any of these cartridges? I guess what I'm looking for is what cartridge has the best top to bottom coherency. Do any of these cartridges sound dark, muted top end, bloated bass, compared to the others? Any reviews in the audio press that you can recommend?

Dougdeacon has written extensively about the ZYX as compared to other options, but I'm not sure of the thread...

These are two radically different beasts, I prefer the Koetstu, but then I also prefer toobs, and maggies so, who can say. The Kontra bases upon you comments of coherent top end is stellar. The bass in my opinion while being deadly accurate is perhaps a little thin, and more important, what are you plugging the cartridge into.

A pre/pre-amp is a key portion of the equation. The Kontra likes the BAT pre, and the Koetsu likes the Chamelot Lancelot, and an acquaintance "Dick Fosgate" prefers the midrange Benz over all of the above.

Neither of us is familiar with the Airy series, lots of pro's and con's written on both sides of that cartridge. Which in turn tells me only one thing: It does have a sound, or so severely lacks any sound that it confuses those who hear it. The Kontra B is a non addition type cartridge, while the Koetsu is clearly biased. Still if I have to keep just one cartridge even the lowly Koetsu black would be my choice. But I do give a nod to the Ruby 3 and Ruby open air.

cheers,

loon

Loontoon,
I agree that the Koetsus I've heard were biased toward the warm or smoothed side of neutral. As you say, one either likes listening to that or not. Your deduction that a ZYX either, "...does have a sound, or so severely lacks any sound that it confuses those who hear it." was perceptive. In my experience the latter is the case, although "severely" might imply coldness to some; that is not the case.

Gfloyd53,
You'll find the ZYX reviews and comparisons mentioned by Nrchy next to my signature. They include direct comparisons with Shelter 901, Koetsu Urushi and RSP.

If you're looking for top to bottom coherency, balance and natural, seamless integration a ZYX can provide it. They demand very careful setup, but if you are willing to do that you'll be listening to instruments and voices more and to your stereo less.

I haven't heard one on an SME so I don't know about any synergy issues. The mass/compliance specs are fine, FWIW.

Doug