For Sale: Shelter 5000 MC cartridge. 23 hours use / 7 weeks old

[bob4333]

Thinking my arm could carry a better cartridge I indulged in this from 2juki (faultless service btw) in Hong Kong but it’s not giving me quite what I’m after, so reluctantly offered for sale. I did think of keeping it on the shelf just to look at it’s so achingly beautiful, but that just keeps the wound open and doesn’t move me forward.

Apart from the 23 hours on it, it’s just as received and complete with the Shelter accessories. Needless to say, it's mint.

Let’s start at £745 and see where we go. Collection is welcome or I will post RM Next Day Delivery. As it happens personal delivery to the Maidstone area next weekend could be possible.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee481/bob4333/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/1-Optimized.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/bob4333/media/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/1-Optimized.jpg.html)

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee481/bob4333/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/2-Optimized.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/bob4333/media/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/2-Optimized.jpg.html)

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee481/bob4333/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/5-Optimized.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/bob4333/media/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/5-Optimized.jpg.html)

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee481/bob4333/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/4-Optimized.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/bob4333/media/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/4-Optimized.jpg.html)

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee481/bob4333/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/6-Optimized.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/bob4333/media/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/6-Optimized.jpg.html)

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee481/bob4333/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/7-Optimized.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/bob4333/media/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/7-Optimized.jpg.html)

........and this is where it spent it's 23 hours.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee481/bob4333/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/8-Optimized.jpg (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/bob4333/media/hifi%20stuff/Shelter%205000/8-Optimized.jpg.html)

[Oldpinkman]

How, why where did you conclude your arm is the problem here?

I am very interested in this cartridge (generically). If my aged presbyotic eyes don't deceive me that's a SME 4 you've got it sitting in. OK - I prefer others, but I wouldn't consider it inappropriate for the Shelter

I am baffled. What didn't you like?

Richard

[bob4333]

How, why where did you conclude your arm is the problem here?

Richard

Hello Richard, it's not about making a judgement call about either the arm or the cartridge - both are fine examples of their respective manufacturer's art.

It's about selecting components that will pull together to give me what I'm after - and probably like you I know it when I hear it. It's a total synergy thing (so not just arm and cart') and sorting out the cartridge is perhaps the most difficult aspect of all.

A straight lift from 2juki's listing:-

"Shelter cartridges enjoy a reputation for smoothness, vibrant tonal colors, holographic soundstaging, and an eminently listenable sound, but designer Yasuo Ozawa hoped to give his new models "more life" - meaning more detail, transient speed and explosive dynamics. Those qualities are exactly what Shelter's 5000 and 7000 deliver..."
- 2008 Editor's Choice Award, The Absolute Sound, Issue #185

"... the 5000 offers significant performance relative to the next model down in Shelter's product line - the award winning 501 Mk II. Specifically, the 5000 surpasses its less costly little brother by delivering more detail, more sharply drawn dynamic contrasts, and a more fleshed out, 3 dimensional soundstage.

Chris Martens, The Absolute Sound, Issue 180

There's a whole lot more for those who wish to look - and I'd not disagree with any of those words.

My phono amp doesn't allow for any adjustment of parameters so I had no opportunity to tune things a bit and see if I could tailor it to what I'm looking for. Change my phono amp? It's an option - but then where does the box swapping end......?

I need to consider my next steps very carefully, but in the meantime there's a chance for someone to pick up a rarely available cartridge with no import costs (I've paid 'em) or worries, next day delivery.

[twotone]

Great photos Bob, GLWTS.

Tony

PS, can't you get a loan of a phono amp?

[Rare Bird]

It always puts the creeps up me the amount of money people spend on this equipment only to have technical/matching issues with it & worse where folk don't know which way to turn next! very scarey, one false move & £££££££££££££££

[Oldpinkman]

And my problem at the moment is that I don't have my system stable enough to go venturing that much. In particular my precious preamp is intermittently unstable which is very tiresome. Its a bad news good news situation - the good news bit being I am hoping to get a Pip 2 built to replace it from spare boards lying around - but I doubt very much that will be before Christmas. But as I have noted on another thread - I miss the days when you could audition equipment and rely totally on my ears as final arbiter. Having to try to use the opinions of others on a forum, is proving a bit fraught, as I try to evaluate the relevance of other peoples hearing to my preferences. :sofa:

[bob4333]

Item now sold. Thanks to those who expressed an interest and to the forum for being broad enough to facilitate the transaction. Good stuff.