If you get a Shelter 501, you won't be thinking about any other cartridges, I can tell you that. If there is a cartridge under $1k that can beat it, I don't know about it. The Shelter 501 does everything right. It's just too good to believe, for under $1k. With one of those, your cartridge worries will be long forgotten.
A sound between the Blue Point Special & Virtuoso
I have tried a bps and found it a bit "thin" or "bright." I bought a Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood and find it horribly "muffled," as if it had a serious congestion due to a cold. Will someone recommend a cartridge $1000 or below that has a sound somewhere between "bright" and "congested?" I am thinking of a Shelter 501 or perhaps a ZYX 100? Thanks for any help that may pe posted.