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  #31  
Old 07-23-2018, 08:52 PM
mulveling mulveling is offline
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For a much less common recommendation - Shelter Harmony. Mine’s grown on me over the months to where it now competes for listening time with my very favorite Koetsu (an Onyx Signature, which I now prefer over the Onyx and Coralstone Platinums).

It should be a good match with SME and its output of 0.5mV is basically ideal for your 60dB phono gain.

Extremely balanced, satisfying sound. Very punchy, clean bass. Midrange is beautiful; it has some of the Koetsu magic - but of course Koetsu still reigns supreme there. Probably a tad more detailed than Koetsu, and somehow has an even lower noise floor (lowest I’ve ever heard), which is no small feat to defeat a Koetsu at. Amazing how it digs up all that detail and rejects so much noise!

Last edited by mulveling; 07-23-2018 at 08:55 PM.
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  #32  
Old 07-24-2018, 04:43 PM
xv21 xv21 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mulveling View Post
For a much less common recommendation - Shelter Harmony. Mine’s grown on me over the months to where it now competes for listening time with my very favorite Koetsu (an Onyx Signature, which I now prefer over the Onyx and Coralstone Platinums).

It should be a good match with SME and its output of 0.5mV is basically ideal for your 60dB phono gain.

Extremely balanced, satisfying sound. Very punchy, clean bass. Midrange is beautiful; it has some of the Koetsu magic - but of course Koetsu still reigns supreme there. Probably a tad more detailed than Koetsu, and somehow has an even lower noise floor (lowest I’ve ever heard), which is no small feat to defeat a Koetsu at. Amazing how it digs up all that detail and rejects so much noise!
How well the Shelter Harmony works without SUT? I am planning to use McIntosh C52 phono stage. I might invest a little more in the phono cartridge, because I have read, that the phono stage of C52 is good. I may need to invest a lot of money into an external phono stage that is as good or better than the McIntosh C52.
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  #33  
Old 07-24-2018, 05:41 PM
mulveling mulveling is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xv21 View Post
How well the Shelter Harmony works without SUT? I am planning to use McIntosh C52 phono stage. I might invest a little more in the phono cartridge, because I have read, that the phono stage of C52 is good. I may need to invest a lot of money into an external phono stage that is as good or better than the McIntosh C52.
I tried it briefly out of a Sonic Frontiers Phono 1 SE+ (no SUT; JFET's for MC step-up and 4x 6922 for the main stage) and didn't spend enough time to really analyze, but it sounded quite good - 0.5mV is perfect for that stage's 60dB. Other than that, I've run it pretty much exclusively with a Bob's Devices Sky 20 into first a Rogue Ares Magnum and now VAC Renaissance SE phono stage (the latter being really superb).

I actually just ordered a Shelter Accord (2nd in the line below their top Harmony) and may soon give the Phono 1 another try with it in my headphone setup, vs the Ares.
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  #34  
Old 08-23-2018, 05:51 PM
Mister Pig Mister Pig is offline
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Originally Posted by Audiophilehi View Post
Would like some recommendations on a MC cartridge to replace my long in the tooth Lyra Helikon Stereo. The Helikon still sounds fantastic to me but it's over 10 years old and I feel it's time for an upgrade.

So far my list is short. What's intrigued me so far are the Ortofon Cadenza Black and Bronze cartridges. I have not listened to either of them but read some nice things about them.

I would like to keep my budget in the $2,000-$2,500 range. I know the Cadenza Black is a bit higher. (You know how budgets go)

My analog front end is the VPI HR-X turntable and VPI 12.7 tonearm.

Thanks in advance!!
Every Cadenza series cartridge I have heard has been excellent. I had the Bronze here for an extended stay, and its a fine cartridge that has a pleasant burnished warmth without a loss of detail. The Black I have not heard, although I have owned an Winfeld, and own an A90. I suspect the Black would be closer to them than anything else, and that would make it a nice cartridge.

Cheers
Mister Pig
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  #35  
Old 03-01-2019, 10:57 AM
BobC BobC is offline
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New guy here. I am running the new HANA M lo output and it is really excellent!

Ttbl: 1954 Grey Grease bearing 301 on 130 lb. 3" thick slate plinth. Schick 12" arm.
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