Denon/Shelter with SME 309 and Ear 834P

The impedance won't be a real big deal, but if you can change it to 100 ohms, that would be the value you'd want to have it at.

I think with a linestage that has 16db gain, you will have just about perfect performance.

SME 309 is a faulty arm. Although I question if it is important in a context of that 103R but I would suggest (If you’re wiling to stay short) going for SME 3009. Nether 103R not 501 will have any bass with stock a SME and you will need to ad mass to the head. However, I again question if it is all mater in context of the 834P step-up transformer that that screw bass more aggressively then the curent lunatic-president screws this country… Search for the T. Loesch’s guide for 834P modification (~$150) and use a better step-up (good luck to find). Generally the Torthenified 834P with a proper trans should yield even with 103R pretty dissent result and you will be able to show a big middle finger to all of those super-duper self-important phonostages…

Good luck,
Romy the Cat

Romy, Thorsten uses a 309 with his 103.

Just same as usual "Romy the Cat" from VA........ EAR834P phono preamp will have enough gain for Shelter 501/II, you don't need step up.

Shelter both 501/II and 901 works well with SME 309, IV, and V models(I have used them in VPI HW19-MKIV and Michell Gyro/Orbe with Shelter cartridges). If you have more than one cartridge and planning to swap them often, 309 works well due to its removable headshell(also gives azimouth adjustment).

SME arms needs better tonearm cable, their stock cable doesn't sound that good...

Any recommndations on cable upgrades for the 309?
Thanks.