New cartridge advice

[PeterKB]

Hi,

I am looking for a new cartridge to replace my aging Koetsu. Preferred sound profile would be: engaging, sweet sounding, midrange focused (I despise harshness) and does instrument textures well. I’m considering the following:

- 47 Labs McBee
- Audio Tekne MC-6310
- Shelter 901 MKIII (I can get it at a good price).
- Miyajima Kansui

the Kansui is more expensive than the other 3 and I’m wondering whether it’s really significantly better. The Shelter is probably closer to the Koetsu sound.

Any thoughts advice is appreciated.

 

[A-Line]

Hi,

I am looking for a new cartridge to replace my aging Koetsu. Preferred sound profile would be: engaging, sweet sounding, midrange focused (I despise harshness) and does instrument textures well. I’m considering the following:

- 47 Labs McBee
- Audio Tekne MC-6310
- Shelter 901 MKIII (I can get it at a good price).
- Miyajima Kansui

the Kansui is more expensive than the other 3 and I’m wondering whether it’s really significantly better. The Shelter is probably closer to the Koetsu sound.

Any thoughts advice is appreciated.

I remember about 15 years ago while on holiday in the USA auditioning Koetsu phono pickups at dealership that also sold Allnic electronics.

I remember my impressions after hearing the top 3 phono cartridges from Koetsu that I felt that the voicing was not correct, at least to my interpretation. The turntable was some Technics SP series from 1980-81 era that had 3 different arms, each had a different Koetsu pickup. That was their reference turntable and also had some mods done to it. The dealership sold these tables with various tonearms and mods to the vintage Technics SP turntables.

I liked the Allnic tube electronics. The dealership also had a Student A820 with mastertapes so that sounded fantastic.

Maybe the Koetsu pickups would have sounded better with a different turntable.

I've heard that Shelter 901 MKIlI on a friend's AMG turntable with FM Acoustics electronics and it did sound pretty good.
I've no personal experience with the other brands that you've mentioned.

I would suggest taking your time before considering a final choice of phono cartridges.

Just my opinions.

 

[PeterKB]

I remember about 15 years ago while on holiday in the USA auditioning Koetsu phono pickups at dealership that also sold Allnic electronics.

I remember my impressions after hearing the top 3 phono cartridges from Koetsu that I felt that the voicing was not correct, at least to my interpretation. The turntable was some Technics SP series from 1980-81 era that had 3 different arms, each had a different Koetsu pickup. That was their reference turntable and also had some mods done to it. The dealership sold these tables with various tonearms and mods to the vintage Technics SP turntables.

I liked the Allnic tube electronics. The dealership also had a Student A820 with mastertapes so that sounded fantastic.

Maybe the Koetsu pickups would have sounded better with a different turntable.

I've heard that Shelter 901 MKIlI on a friend's AMG turntable with FM Acoustics electronics and it did sound pretty good.
I've no personal experience with the other brands that you've mentioned.

I would suggest taking your time before considering a final choice of phono cartridges.

Just my opinions.

Thanks a lot for your message. How would you describe the sound of the Shelter 901? It's the most difficult to get insights in especially in its latest (MKIII) incarnation. Does it sound lush and midrange focused or is it neutral? What was your impression? Thanks again!

 

[A-Line]

Thanks a lot for your message. How would you describe the sound of the Shelter 901? It's the most difficult to get insights in especially in its latest (MKIII) incarnation. Does it sound lush and midrange focused or is it neutral? What was your impression? Thanks again!

Well my impressions based upon my friend's system was that the Shelter was very even handed with maybe a hint towards lush sounding but did seem to be quite neutral and true to the music. Just my opinions again. If you're really into playing records then you should do a listening session with Shelter as well as the other options that you've mentioned.

Good luck and happy listening.

 

[PeterKB]

Well my impressions based upon my friend's system was that the Shelter was very even handed with maybe a hint towards lush sounding but did seem to be quite neutral and true to the music. Just my opinions again. If you're really into playing records then you should do a listening session with Shelter as well as the other options that you've mentioned.

Good luck and happy listening.

That's a bit my impression also based on what I've read so far. Unfortunately I don't have the option of auditioning cartridges so I will have to decide based on reviews & user comments.

 

[Massimo66]

That's a bit my impression also based on what I've read so far. Unfortunately I don't have the option of auditioning cartridges so I will have to decide based on reviews & user comments.

A wonderful head that will not make you regret the Koetsu is the Air Tight Supreme if you can find some ex demo you could do this madness but it would be given what emerges from your choices a head for life because even when it reaches the end of the stroke you can easily re-stitch it given the components used. Otherwise go for the shelter which is a wonderful all-rounder

 

[Audiohertz2]

I remember about 15 years ago while on holiday in the USA auditioning Koetsu phono pickups at dealership that also sold Allnic electronics.

I remember my impressions after hearing the top 3 phono cartridges from Koetsu that I felt that the voicing was not correct, at least to my interpretation. The turntable was some Technics SP series from 1980-81 era that had 3 different arms, each had a different Koetsu pickup. That was their reference turntable and also had some mods done to it. The dealership sold these tables with various tonearms and mods to the vintage Technics SP turntables.

I liked the Allnic tube electronics. The dealership also had a Student A820 with mastertapes so that sounded fantastic.

Maybe the Koetsu pickups would have sounded better with a different turntable.

I've heard that Shelter 901 MKIlI on a friend's AMG turntable with FM Acoustics electronics and it did sound pretty good.
I've no personal experience with the other brands that you've mentioned.

I would suggest taking your time before considering a final choice of phono cartridges.

Just my opinions.

May have a better sound with a Different table or a different PP, analog compares are pretty difficult without familiarity easy to have a mis-match along the way ..

 

[A-Line]

May have a better sound with a Different table or a different PP, analog compares are pretty difficult without familiarity easy to have a mis-match along the way ..

True.
For example, when I mentioned that the Koetsu voicing was not right it was because the vocals were very forward on the sound stage and the rest of the musicians were much further back in the background somewhere. To me this is weird.
Also components matter with regards to what comes out of the speakers as sound in the end.

In order to buy right one will need to listen to products considered for purchase on their setup rather than relying upon the opinions of others.

 

[PeterKB]

Any perspective on the rest of the cartridges? Audio Tekne, 47 Labs, Miyajima? thanks again!