Optimal Loading for Shelter 501 mk2

Actually, to quote J. Geils, first I look at the purse. Of course, a full purse would be essential in considering your doubtful remedy. :-) Toes, however, are secondary.

And, absent the purse or not, I'd at least be able to look at my table without hurling. And I don't mean me ancestor's sport.

For what it's worth, I use a Shelter 501 Mk2 into a Plinius M14 phono stage which has adjustable loading "on the fly" with a knob on the front. You can select, 47K, 1K, 470, 100, 47 or 22. To my ear 47K is the best with the sound becoming consistently more compressed as I decrease from there. Shelter also recommends 47K ohms for a high gain phonostage.

Jyprez, can you kindly provide the information or link to where Shleter recommends 47K for the Shleter 501? Thanks

It's on the data sheet they provided with the cartridge.
It says,
Recommended load impedance:
step-up trans within 20 ohms
head amplifier within 100 ohm
high gain EQ-amplifier within 47k ohm

I am using a high gain amplifier whereas Doug uses the Bent transformers

I see, thanks. Must be an updated sheet, as mine does not include that third ("EQ") line.