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Analog Upgrade Suggestions Welcome

I am thinking of making several upgrades to my current analog rig.

Current system: click here

First, I am thinking of upgrading my VPI HW19 MKIII to the MKIV. I would like those with first hand experience to tell me if the upgrade is worth the money, and what I can expect to hear in improvement. I am currently using the SDS and SAMA modifications.

Second, I am thinking of upgrading my cartridge. My Sumiko Talisman Alchemist IIb is almost 15 years old and is ready for retirement. Some A'goNers have recommended the Shelter 501. I didn't want to spend more than $1000 for a cartidge as the majority of my listening is still redbook CD. I am open to other suggestions. I want the best cartridge for the money. Also, I am leary of buying such a fragile item used. I have heard others on A'goN say they'd never buy a used cartridge. Please share any experiences out there; good or bad.

My current cartridge has an output of 2.0mV which I assume means high output. Will I need a step-up transformer for a low output cartridge? Is the Shelter 501 at 0.4 mV considered low output? My Classe Six preamp has a phono section. The preamp comes with resistors that the user can change out to match the volume control knob position to the level of line components. I assume I'd need to change the resistor I'm using with my current cartridge. Otherwise I'd have to turn the knob way up to get enough gain with a cartridge with an output that's 1/5 that of my current cartridge. Is that correct?

Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

Cheers!

Mark
mstram
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Mark,
That does indeed change things. The Grado Ref and other high compliance carts become viable, a Shelter goes out the window altogether. A ZYX would work with the optional headshell weight, but that's only available on higher priced models AFAIK. Now where did I get 11g? Whatever, I'm sure SME's manual is better than my memory. Good thing you looked and sorry for almost steering you wrong. Guess I'm getting too old to do this stuff from memory.

There are fewer high compliance MC's than low-mid compliance ones. Grado, some VdH's, some Ortofons, some Sumikos. The Blackbird mentioned by Lugnut would certainly work well. If his description is appealing I'd certainly trust his ears.
mstram OP
83 posts
 
I have spoken with several dealers with vast experience setting up analog rigs, and all have successfully used the Shelter 901 with an SME 309.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
Mark,
One could "successfully" use nearly any cartridge on nearly any tonearm. They'd all play music. The idea is not that a Shelter wouldn't play or play well. It just wouldn't play its best. A more compatible catridge *would* play its best and give you maximum performance for your cartridge dollars.

YMMV of course, but if optimum performance is what you're after then optimum equipment matching is the way to achieve it.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
13,106 posts
 
Dear Mark: My advise is that don't do the TT upgrade, yet.
Change your cartridge: there are many exellent options, other than Shelter ( the people in this forum is a very closed mind in a very small audio world: they always recomended Shelther or ZYX, and even worst cartridges), the Van den Hul MC One Special is an exellent one (Right now you can buy it in the Audiogon clasifieds at a very low price ), Transfiguration Spirit MK3 ( in the clasiffieds, too. New ), Lyra Argo, benz micro Ruby ( clasiffieds, only 50 hours. This is a 3,000.00 retail price cartridge. ), Ortofon Kontrapunkt B , Ortofon Jubille ( clasiffieds. New ), Dynavector D172 MKII, Sumiko Celebration. All these cartridges will be fine with your tonearm/TT and with your Classe Six ( I own this one many years ago. Very good preamp. ).
I agree with you about VT: an average position.. Don't be foolish about it, not yet.
Now, about to buy second hand cartridges, my experience ( in Audiogon ) is 100% recomended: you only have to check the feedbak of the person, that he is the original owner and to know why he put on sale his cartridge.
Regards and always enjoy the music.
Raul.
dougdeacon
3,338 posts
 
VdH? Ortofon? Sumiko? Those seem like some pretty good choices Raul.

Perhaps that's why Lugnut and I mentioned them THREE DAYS AGO!

I'm not sure which close-minded people you were referring to, but thanks for keeping a watchful eye out just the same. Thank goodness they haven't shown up on this thread. ;-)
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