750 US MC cartridge options

Dynavector Karat and Shelter 501 for just a bit more are popular choices. Sumiko Blackbird and the new ZYX Bloom may be good choices too. Those cartridges represent a wide range in specifications and sonic signatures. If you like the 103R, the Shelter 501 may be a good choice for you.

I am satified with my Kontrapunkt B from Ortofon and the company should remain in business if the past is any guarantee of the future.

I second Dlwask's comments. I have experimented back and forth of late with both the Dynavector 17D (Karat) and the Shelter 501. Same price point for both, different design philosophies and sonics. They are both relatively low ouput MC, with the Dynavector coming in at 0.26mV, you would want to make sure your phono stage has the gain to drive them. The Shelter is a low compliance, heavy body cart, where the Dynavector is much lighter in weight and compliance. The Dynavector (in my system, in my room) is fast, agile and light on its feet, and the Shelter is a bit more dark, very lush midrange, with a slightly rolled off top end compared to the Dynavector. In my setup, the Shelter exhibits more low end and bass authority than the Dyna. But at around 800.00 new retail, they are both a wonderful choice. So much so, I kept both.

i would second the Dyna 17D2, awesome, awesome, cart.

Thanks a lot for your feedback,my choices are now the following:

1.- Dynavector Karat
2.- Shelter 501
3.- Zyx Bloom
4.- Denon 103R

Any additional feedback will be heartly welcome, planing to buy by end-of-month.

BTW: Just received my Accuphase CDP, great musicality, authority and lush-sounding unit.!!!