[I.Greyhound Fan]

2 days ago I received my new Shelter 501 MKIII MC cartridge.  It replaces my wonderful sounding Nagaoka MP-200.  It is paired with my Gold Note PH-10 phono preamp and my Pro-ject Classic Evo TT.  I wanted a MC cartridge that has a warmer sound and the 501 does not disappoint and it is not even close to being broken in.

It has a slightly warmer tone.  The midrange is just beautiful sounding and tonally rich.  The top end is smooth.  Bass is good.  It has more detail and resolution compared to the MP-200.  Surface noise is increased a little and that was to be expected.  It is a great match for the slightly bright sounding GN preamp.  The sound stage is huge, tall and deep.  It is very musical.  I bought this one from Japan and saved $250.  Years ago I bought the MP-200 from Japan for a $200 savings.  It arrived in 1 week.

I will report back when it is fully broken in, about 50 hours or so.  The Nag took 30 hours.

[SONDEKNZ]

Our (aging) SHELTER 501/2 is deathly quiet in the grooves.

I would have expected the same from your 501/3, as little has changed in your latest iteration - regarding the stylus and cantilever - compared to earlier 501 versions.

So, I'm a little surprised to read that you find the SHELTER noisier in the grooves than the far cheaper NAGAOKA and suspect that it needs a little more fettling.

Great to hear that it is delivering in other areas of sonic satisfaction.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Price has nothing to do whether a cartridge reveals surface noise.  The Nags are pretty quiet and I do not find it surprising that the Nag MP-200 is quieter.
The MC cartridge digs deeper into the groove and has more high frequency detail than the Nagaoka.  That is the price you pay for more detail. The phono preamp also plays a role in surface noise transmission.  I have a Gold Note PH-10 which is extremely revealing and detailed with great micro detail retrieval. My son just bought a Darlington Labs MP8B and it suppresses surface noise extremely well.  It is almost non existent with the DL and that is truly amazing. It is detailed but not like the GN which is a $2200 phono preamp.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Well my Shelter is getting broken in.  Unfortunately, I forgot to turn off my TT and it ran with a record for about 15 hours. The cartridge sure sounds different.  Any brightness is gone and the music is getting fuller and it is becoming more musical.  I guess that was 1 way to break in a cartridge quickly.  It still has a ways to go though from what I have read.  It takes about 50 hours.   So far I am loving what I am hearing.  My Nagaoka MP-200 has a little more punch but otherwise the Shelter is way better sounding.  I am looking forward to what the next 30 hours brings.  I have about 20 total hours so far.

[SONDEKNZ]

With 20-hours now on the stylus, the brand-new tip must be getting nicely polished.

So, I'm wondering if your new SHELTER 501/3 is now any quieter in the grooves?

[viggen]

Curious what does the rest of your system look like?

I had borrowed both 301 and 501 mk2s awhile back from a dealer and ended up with the 301.  With upgraded TT motor transformer and Phono PSU, I was getting gobs of bass, so didn't need the added mid from the 501.  the 301 gave me a more balanced sound.  i think i am of extreme minority to prefer 301 over 501.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Curious what does the rest of your system look like?

I had borrowed both 301 and 501 mk2s awhile back from a dealer and ended up with the 301.  With upgraded TT motor transformer and Phono PSU, I was getting gobs of bass, so didn't need the added mid from the 501.  the 301 gave me a more balanced sound.  i think i am of extreme minority to prefer 301 over 501.

My system is in a state of Flux right now with trying to downsize to an integrated amp that can approach the sound quality of my Pass X250 and BAT preamp.  Right now I am using a Marantz PM-10 Integrated amp which I am returning to music direct later today.  I have a Mark Levinson 5805 int. coming this week. 

My TT is a new Pro-ject Classic Evo and my phono preamp is a Gold Note PH-10.  Speakers are Arendal 1528's, I still have my Magnepan 1.6's which are up for sale but I still put them back in the system for a listen. I also have a pair of Fritz Carbon speakers coming at the end of next week for me to review and possibly buy.

My vinyl sounds better than my digital in many respects.  And my vinyl is more listenable without any fatigue, not that my digital has fatigue but the analog is soo smooth yet detailed, dynamic with just as large a soundstage maybe larger.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

The Shelter that I covet but will never buy is the Harmony.  It is supposed to have the warmth and smoothness of the 501 and the detail, dynamics,  air and transparency of the 901 but better.   But at $4900, I will pass.  I am getting great sound with the 501. 

I just hooked up my Pass and BAT and the analog sounds better than with the Marantz except that the Marantz had a holographic sound stage.  The Pass combo is fuller and richer toned with better musicality.

[viggen]

Thanks for sharing.  Somehow, I assumed you have a lower wattage system since you're using Duelund cables.  I think it will be hard to transition to integrated based off the quality of your separates.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Thanks for sharing.  Somehow, I assumed you have a lower wattage system since you're using Duelund cables.  I think it will be hard to transition to integrated based off the quality of your separates.

If I can get 90% of what my separates give me I will be happy.  My whole system is getting a makeover as I downsize.  The Marantz PM-10 that I am returning today actually has more detail and a wider soundstage then my Pass and BAT.  But tone wise it was no match.

I am giving the Duelund cables a try to see if they can warm things up.  I bought a Duelund RCA cable set for my son's birthday and it made a nice difference with slight increased warmth and they have more musicality and a wide soundstage.  The differences are not night and day but you can easily hear the difference.  I did not have any expectations that they would make a difference as I always do when I buy cables. Sometimes I am surprised and other times not.  My son needed an extra set of cables and after reading about them, we gave them a try and were pleasantly surprised.

I get my Duelund XLR's today some time.

[js1955]

I use both Duelund SC (16 gauge) and Duelund RCA IC.   IMO they have an organic quality and lean slightly full and warm.  Happy with both.   I think my taste is similar to yours in that I am sensitive to any hardness, edge or bite in upper frequencies.  For the same reason I tend to favor vinyl and tubes.

Good Luck with seasoning your rig to taste!     

[toocool4]

If I can get 90% of what my separates give me I will be happy.  My whole system is getting a makeover as I downsize.

People are raving on about the new Devialet’s Astra integrated amps, they go toe to toe with separates pre / power. I have always been impressed with Devialet’s amps, but not the phantom speakers.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I use both Duelund SC (16 gauge) and Duelund RCA IC.   IMO they have an organic quality and lean slightly full and warm.  Happy with both.   I think my taste is similar to yours in that I am sensitive to any hardness, edge or bite in upper frequencies.  For the same reason I tend to favor vinyl and tubes.

Good Luck with seasoning your rig to taste!     

I got my XLR's and they already make a nice difference.  The top end is really smooth without being rolled.  Sibilants are tamed some and there is some nice subtle added warmth.  They are very transparent.  I am going to buy another pair for my phono preamp.  I am eventually going to buy some bulk 12g Duelund wire and make speaker cables.  These cables are a nice way to introduce some subtle warmth and take the edge off.  I am really impressed.  The Duelund RCA's that I bought my son have the same sound and effect.  I won't buy any other cables now.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

People are raving on about the new Devialet’s Astra integrated amps, they go toe to toe with separates pre / power. I have always been impressed with Devialet’s amps, but not the phantom speakers.

I have always wondered about Devialet amps.  They are priced over my head new.   

[SONDEKNZ]

Without wanting to get too far off-topic...

Last winter, we needed to find a cool-running amp for the roasting-hot summer months, here in China.

Being confirmed tube amp lovers - and having NOT enjoyed our time with any of the NEW CLASS designs - this was no easy feat!

Over and over, other forum-dwellers recommended the same vintage amp to us: the early 1990s QUAD 306.

Although we could afford to throw $10K at the problem, we finally found a completely refurbished (stock) QUAD 306 power amp, and fronted it with our (tiny) TISBURY MINI PASSIVE PRE II.

The QUAD set us back EUR 455.00, delivered from a reliable dealer in Holland. Loose change in the big scheme of things.

We enjoy it so much that we have run it throughout the winter too!

If 50W-70W of dead-quiet, cool-running solid state Class AB power is enough to drive your loudspeakers, I urge you to borrow a cute and tiny QUAD 306 partnered with a quality passive pre - and give it a good long listen. If you really want to spend more, you could easily splash-out on a flash new passive preamp like one of the MUSIC FIRST reference models or something similar.

Having owned other very good sounding amps - including FIRST WATT J2, LUXMAN AVANCE 501, LEBEN CS300F, CARY 300SE SIGNATURE, etc, etc, I have come to the conclusion that PETER WALKER is (was) right up there with NELSON PASS.

Just a thought.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Thanks, but if I keep my Arendal 1528 speakers, I need 200 wpc at 4 ohms.  These speakers are hard to drive and are rated at 84.5dB sensitivity.  I clipped a Marantz PM-10 that puts out about 600 wpc at 4 ohms believe it or not.

I have already bought the Mark Levinson 5805 Integrated.  It is stable down to 2 ohms and is over 200wpc at 4 ohms.  I should get it by next Monday or Tuesday, maybe sooner if it gets shipped out tomorrow.

I also prefer to have some XLR inputs as my DAC sounds better using XLR's and my TT and phono preamp are balanced.

[SONDEKNZ]

That makes good sense.

Fingers crossed that the ML 5805 is all that you are hoping for.

Enjoy!

[toocool4]

I have always wondered about Devialet amps.  They are priced over my head new.

You get quite a lot in that one slim chassis, Class A pre amp, Class D power amp, 150W into 8 ohms, 300W into 4 ohms, top class phonostage, DAC, Streamer. You will save money and space by not having to buy all those parts separately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6CH1qSQKDo

[I.Greyhound Fan]

It is too late now.  I already bought the ML.  It also has a very good phono preamp, DAC and it does bluetooth.  And it is a Class AB amp which I prefer after my foray into the Class D world. And the ML is built here in the USA.  Reviews on the 5805 are excellent and they should be for what this thing costs at list price.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

With 20-hours now on the stylus, the brand-new tip must be getting nicely polished.

So, I'm wondering if your new SHELTER 501/3 is now any quieter in the grooves?

Just a little quieter.  what has changed is the tone for the better.  The 501 was just slightly bright and edgy for the first 10 hours.  Now it has that nice warmer tone and the music has more body and texture.  The top end is a little more extended.  It has really smoothed out and I am loving it.  It was a nice step up from the MP-200.  Well worth the money if you are looking for this type of sound in a MC cartridge.  I bought it direct from Japan and saved $250.