Dynavector/Shelter cartridges--familiar with them?

[dgsinner]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone have any experience with Dynavector's or Shelter's line of phono cartridges?

I'm interested in both...I've read that Dynavector's carts both sound excellent and do a good job at reducing surface noise.

One review site calls the Shelter 501 one of the best cart values ever. Look under the "Class B Cartridges" section:

http://www.high-endaudio.com/RC-Cartridges.html

Expert help for a novice please!

Thanks in advance,
Dale

[Ben]

I've been running a Dynavector 4 MKII moving coil on the P25 for about a year and a half.....great!

No need for a separate phone stage - high output baby!



Ben

P.S. A while back forum member Todd Fredericks had the exact same cart for sale at a great, and I mean GREAT price...I wonder if he unloaded it?

[Gary]

I know a guy (runs an audiophile store) who claims that the Shelter sounds better that the Benz-Micro Ruby. Costs about the same, too. :eek:

I've never really heard them, though.

[ctE500]

I've had a Dynavector XV-1S for about 6 months now. It is by far the best top to bottom, all around cart. i've ever heard. Bests the Clearaudio Accurate, Insider, and Lyra Helikon that I've owned previously. Sound like this don't come cheap, though. About 4K retail :eek: Although when you look at the Insider, it's a bargain!

[Graham Start]

Originally posted by Gary
I know a guy (runs an audiophile store)

Hey Gary,

Which store would that be?

[grandioso]

I've been using Dynavector's 17D MKII "Karat" for some time now and I'm very pleased with its perfectly flat, honest and accurate sound and its awesome tracking ability (of course it's dead silent on good pressings, and reduces the surface noise on not-so-healthy records to at least listenable levels). It's a perfect match with RB arms too, no need for vertical adjustments. It also looks very cute with its almost unvisible 1,7 mm cantilever. Priced around $750.

[Dean De Furia]

Grandioso,
Welcome aboard the Steve Hoffman train!

[Shakey]

Originally posted by Gary
I know a guy (runs an audiophile store) who claims that they sound better that the Benz-Micro Ruby. Costs about the same, too. :eek:

I've never really heard them, though.

Someone way back said that CeeDees (digital) sound better than LPs (vinyl). What's more they promised perfect sound forever.

But seriously, I own a Ruby2, it's just about broken in and it sounds fine in my setup, possibly a little emphasis in the bottom. That could be the Linn too.

Better listen to both, but I have heard good things about each, the Dynavectors and the Shelters.

[vinyl anachronist]

I've used both the Dynavector 10X4 mk.II and 17D mk.II on a Rega Planar 25 and got excellent results with both. I recommend the 10X4 and the Clearaudio Aurum Beta to almost everyone who asks about cartridges in this price range. Last year I tried the cartridges above, not to mention the Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood, and was all set to buy one of them until I heard the Koetsu Black. It was a lot more money than I thought I could afford at the time, and it was a lot of cartridge for the P25, but I knew I was going to upgrade my 'table within a year, and I went for it.

I'm bringing up the Koetsus (I have a Rosewood now, which I use with a Michell Orbe SE and a SME V), because I think the Shelters are comparable to them for a lot less money. The Shelters are more neutral than the Koetsus, but I still pick Koetsu for the magical, lush sound. If I had to start from scratch, I'd give the Shelters a very serious audition.

An acquaintance of mine has a Shelter 701 mounted on a Wilson-Benesch 'table and arm, and it sounds spectacular, much better than the more expensive Wilson-Benesch cartridge it replaced. If you can afford it, go with a Shelter and never look back.

[Gary]

Originally posted by Graham Start


Hey Gary,

Which store would that be?

Rob at Applause Audio. Nifty place!