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Graham and Shelter matching - and other arms/carts

When you get a component that truly lifts your system up and reveals what's going on everywhere else, you learn things about your system that you hadn't realized before. My new Io Sig has shown me that I probably need a better linestage (I posted about this in Amps/Preamps), and it's also taught me something about arm/cart matching.

Now that the Io is in the system, I am hearing an unhappy balance between my Graham 2.2 tonearm and Shelter 901 cartridge. There's a tubby bass resonance that sounds to me like the Shelter cantilever feeding back into the unipivot arm structure. The outriggers on the Graham are supposed to minimize this effect, but perhaps the match just simply isn't made in heaven.

Instead, my Ortofon RS-212 tonearm, matched with Ortofon SPU Classic GM cart, is sounding much more balanced, real and musical.

That leaves me with the question of what to do with my Graham and Shelter. I'd like to have a "modern" arm/cart combo to compare with the classic Ortofon setup (I currently have 3 arms mounted on my table). My third arm is an Origin Live modified RB250, which currently has a Denon 103R mounted on it (probably not the perfect matchup either). The Shelter doesn't sound fantastic in the Rega - it's better in the Graham.

I do like the Shelter sound a lot, so I could buy an arm that's a more appropriate match for it, a Moerch perhaps. But I'd have to sell the Graham to afford that, and I kind of want to keep a unipivot.

Any recommendations for exchanging the Shelter and Denon for carts more appropriate for the Rega and Graham, or vice-versa?
patrickamory
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Thanks, Dickson.

The bearing design of the Vector (as best I can picture it from written descriptions) sounds like a great piece of engineering. I've always thought it would mate well with a 901 or similar cartridges. Your experience seems to confirm that.

I'd love to try a Vector on my Teres, but we have one or two other upgrades to do first. Let us know how it works on your 255 when you receive the armboard. (Waiting for this hand-made stuff is torture, but so worth it.)

VTF tuning weights? Why not? We use a swivelling paper clip, but that might spoil the look of that nice Basis. On an OL Silver it fits right in!

Next time you talk to Chris about the Vector armboard ask him about VTA adjustment. He may be able to help.
dickson
30 posts
 
Hi Raul,

I am also using an Ikeda 9 Rex. What tonearm are you using this on? Also what VTF are you using?

Doug, when I spoke to Chris about an armboard he informed me about what he is working on and that is why I am still waiting for the armboard.
jphii
485 posts
 
Hi guys.

I got the new VTA on the fly adjuster from Pete Riggle Audio. It's called the VTAF. I am making a new armboard for it, and will report how it works once finished. It's about $100, and will work with any Rega mount arm.

It looks pretty good, and should work well judging by the design. I've been out of town delivering a trawler so I have not had the time yet to install.

I know Chris is working on something, but this one is there now and not too expensive.

We'll see what happens!

Joe
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,109 posts
 
Hi Dickson: The Ikeda 9 Rex is not an " easy " cartridge to get the best on it. Till now I try with some tonearms: Ikeda IT 407, SAEC 506/30, SME IV ( it does not works with this one ), Micro Seiki MAX 282 and AudioCraft AC 4400. All these tonearms ( exept SME ) are heavy mass type. I like the match with the AudioCraft, but as you know this is a subjective opinion. This cartridge is perhaps the more sensitive cartridge that I have to VTA/SRA and to VTF ( mayme because is a cartridge with out cantilever ),BTW I'm using between 2.6 and 2.9.. What are you using?.
Regards and always enjoy the music.
Raul.
dickson
30 posts
 
Hi Raul,

I have just started using the Ikeda on the Infinity Black Widow. It tracks well even without damping! But adding some damping tames some of the sibilance. I am tracking at 2.0 grams.

It sounds the best so far on this tonearm. It sounds better than on the Graham tonearm! Go figure? I want to try the Vector but this will require heavier weights.

Regards,
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