Japanese Cartridges

[tdlt02]

I'm wondering if anyone on here has experience of running any of the Shelter (not the 201), Dynavector or Koetsu MC cartridges, and if so which models and thoughts on overall qualities of the cartridge please...

Cartridge would be going on the end of a SME 310 tonearm. Synergy or not!


Mark GV - Reference Point

[Audio Al]

I have a Shelter 5000 awsom cartridge
Clean clear clinical reproduction it picks out the music , no coloration

[RobbieGong]

I have a Shelter 5000 awson cartridge
Clean clear clinical reproduction it picks out the music , no coloration

Good shout Al.

Has been the main cart of choice for Martin T (who used to be very very active here), On the end of his Dynavector DV507-II.

Seen post #17 here https://theartofsound.net/forum/show...-Gallery/page2

[WESTLOWER]

I'm wondering if anyone on here has experience of running any of the Shelter (not the 201), Dynavector or Koetsu MC cartridges, and if so which models and thoughts on overall qualities of the cartridge please...

Cartridge would be going on the end of a SME 310 tonearm. Synergy or not!


Mark GV - Reference Point

I ran a Dynavector DVXX2mk2, it was an incredibly good cartridge with great bass extension, lovely mids and lots of detail in the top end. It had real punch. It's not cheap at £1200 but it's all the cartridge you could really want. I kinda miss mine. Your arm mass just comes in on the cartridges manufacturer recommendation.

Could be real nice! Certainly the sweet spot in the DV range...apparently !

[montesquieu]

I'm wondering if anyone on here has experience of running any of the Shelter (not the 201), Dynavector or Koetsu MC cartridges, and if so which models and thoughts on overall qualities of the cartridge please...

Cartridge would be going on the end of a SME 310 tonearm. Synergy or not!


Mark GV - Reference Point

Very wide spread of prices on the list you mention.

Regarding Shelter, I had the 501 and 901 at various times on various (generally 12 inch) arms, both very good I thought in their own way - quite lively and punchy.

I enjoyed the Dynavector 17D3 that I had, short cantilever worked well and a great tracker (had that on a Rock Reference), a great all-rounder for the money, and also heard Adam's DVXX2mk2 which sounded very nice on the end of an SME 3012.

With Koetsu the price range is enormous, from a fairly humble black (though not so humble price these days) up to the Rosewoods and the stone bodied ones. I've had a Black, a Rosewood and a Rosewood Signature - all nice enough but I think the equivalent-priced Ortofon SPUs are better value and more rounded in terms of ability.

What all of the above-mentioned have in common is low-ish compliance (generally under 10 x 10-6), so for the most part they are happiest with a heavier/higher mass arm. The SME 310 is at under 10g effective mass is medium to low mass so may not work in an optimal way with lower compliance cartridges. That's not to say they won't work, but be cautious.

[Barry]

You can always add mass (at the headshell, in the form of a spacer weight) to a low effective mass arm, in order to use it with a low compliance cartridge.

(What you cannot do is remove mass from a high effective mass arm to be able to use it with a high compliance cartridge.)

Were it me , I would definitely look at the Dynavector DVXX2, though I would probably save up a little more and go for the Dynavector 'Te Kaitora Rua'.

[Dickchy]

I ran a Dynavector DVXX2mk2, it was an incredibly good cartridge with great bass extension, lovely mids and lots of detail in the top end. It had real punch. It's not cheap at £1200 but it's all the cartridge you could really want. I kinda miss mine. Your arm mass just comes in on the cartridges manufacturer recommendation.

Could be real nice! Certainly the sweet spot in the DV range...apparently !

I’m the lucky chap who bought Adam’s Dynavector XX2 Mk2. It’s no wonder he misses it. I’m listening to it it now, real dynamics but a sweet top and middle too. I have mine on an Ekos SE. Can’t recommend it too highly.
Richard

[tdlt02]

All good info chaps, much appreciated.
Any love for Audio Technica stuff at the £500 + price range, such as AT 33SA for instance!

SME 310 at 9.7 mass, so what are a few contenders that will suit this arm guys and make it sing sweetly, apart from the Dynavectors mentioned?

[DiveDeepDog]

I've got Shelter 501, Koetsu Red Sig and a few AT's. My Art 9 is my go to cart, for me it sings my tune and in comparison to the Koetsu a bit of a bargain.

Not had much luck with DV's, 17 D2 cantilever fell off, and I've an XX1 with tip fallen off. They do sound great though and there's always chance I've been unlucky with 2nd hand buys?

* I won a 33SA on ebay, but it was so badly twisted I sent it back, one on my list to buy.

[Bigman80]

If the bass was firmer on the AT33PTGII, I would never have let it go. Everything about that cartridge is just superb but the bass didn't do it for me. Sounded a bit soft.

If the AT33SA has rectified that (don't see how they could have as its entirely the same inside, just a different stylus profile ) then it could be well worth the money.

Had an AT-ART7 here and that too is just a stunning cartridge. By far the best AT cartridge I've heard, but again, the grip on the bass just isn't what I like. What it did have was incredible depth of soundstage. There's something about the AT house sound which appeals but they don't get the bass right.

Had a ZYX R50 and R100 cartridges here. They were enjoyable but didn't do detail or tonal balance to a level I could live with. Sort of Rosey sounding with, what I deem to be, too much bass. A good party cartridge but not for those in search of refinement and delicacy when needed.

Denon 304 was here here for a while, detail to rival any cartridge on Earth but lacked body and texture. Possibly the most boring but ultimately uncoloured cartridge I've ever heard.

Denon 301 MK2 was the first Denon to make me think that I could live with it. IF I didn't have a Kontrapunkt b and hadn't heard what great cartridges can do.

I'm sure there's more to add. Give me a minute.





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