Shelter Harmony cart... a touch bright ?


Perhaps I am over reacting. Only had the cart for 3 days (new). Love it so far except for the fact that the treble frequencies seem a little over extended compared to the bass and midrange. Perhaps it will settle in after break in ? Thoughts ? TIA
128x128rockitman
Thank you Ttbolad for your response. I have to admit that I was a bit concerned about the load disparity between my cart and the phono pre you mentioned, which is clearaudio's top of the line phono stage...The Balance Reference. My phono-pre is the next step down, the Balance +. From the manual:


The Balance+ represents the revised version of the legendary Balance phono-preamplifier. Highest
quality components in the power supply provide a clear audible, improved sonic experience.
Another special feature of this preamplifier is the automatic adjustment to any kind of connected MCcartridge
load, which means, that the maximum capability is always achieved without additional
switches.

Select cartridge type operation mode:
Use the switches on the bottom of the Balance+ housing as follows:
MM-operation: Both buttons „load/gain“ non pressed
(load impedance = 47 kOhm)
MC-operation: Both buttons „load/gain“ pressed
(load impedance = 510 Ohm)

So it seems to say that it adjust's for the load. The switch I have selected is the one for MC, 510ohm. I guess that is the worst case scenario if in fact the unit doesn't automatically adjust for loading. If that is the case, is 500ohm's for the phono pre a terrible mismatch for the cart at 100 ohms ? In the meantime I will inquire with clear audio's distributor (Musical Surroundings). More audiophile nervosa to contend with...LOL

After listening again last night to recording I am very familiar with, I am experiencing a more balanced fequency presentation by the cart.
Hi Rockitman,

The statement - "Another special feature of this preamplifier is the automatic adjustment to any kind of connected MC cartridge load, which means, that the maximum capability is always achieved without additional switches" -

is pretty vague. By "maximum capability" they may very well mean that they adjust the MC gain for maximum output so that you don't have to have selector switches for gain. That would have nothing to do with loading impedance though. It seems very likely that the MC load impedance is a fixed 510 ohms.

IF that is the case, then having played with the Shelter 5000 I can make the following guess as to how a 510 ohm load might sound -it would be a little bright and edgy for my taste. You should realize this is not a horrible mismatch. But is is probably not optimal. Over time you might get comfortable with it.

The thing is, with expensive cartridges (and the Harmony is by no means cheap) if you cannot maximize the cartridge performance, you will be hard-pressed to see the value in cartridge that you purchased. All I can say is that the Shelter 5000 is a no slouch, so the Harmony must be bordering on heavenly - provided that you get it set up well.

With any luck, the Clearaudio dealer will verify that the preamp has a whiz-bang adaptive circuit (something I haven't ever seen or heard) and all you are hearing is in fact cartridge break in. But, you should probably double check what the dealer says. Most dealers have rather sketchy understanding of electronics, so you may get a superficial answer.
The cart has settled in, been adjusted and re-adjusted to the Nth degree and is now wonderfully balanced and musical. Silly me to think the cart was a touch bright. It just needed some break in....and extremely fine alignment. I'm a Happy camper now. Thanks for all the insight from the posters here.