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Advice needed, MC cartridge for SpaceArm?

I own a Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm along with a ARC PH2 phono preamp and Clearaudio Virtuoso cartridge.

I have been most satisfied with the above setup for about a 1 and 1/2 years, rarely listening to CDs anymore. This is my first vinyl setup in 20 years. Now, I have come down with upgraditis. (uh oh)

Have decided to upgrade the PH2 to ARC's new PH5 phono preamp. This will allow me to try a MC cartridge for the first time. Question is, which one? My system is heavy in tubes, tubed PreAmp (Ref 1) and tubed monoblock amps (Rogue M120s Magnum) Speakers are Soundlab electrostats.

I am leaning towards the Shelters 501 or 901 based on internet research but have not ruled anything out. My listening preferences are Classical / Orchestral first. Behind that would be Jazz/Country/rock/pop / whatever all equally weighted. Any ideas as to the MC cartridge that is the best choice? Would like to keep it under 1500.00 It is unlikely that I will be able to audition most cartridges where I live.
tedvan

Showing 1 response by bombaywalla

bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Well, my friend Ozzy62 went thru this whole exercise just a few months back! I hope that he sees this thread & chimes in. Basically, he tried the KOntrapunkt-B (the more expensive one), Shelter 501 & the Benz L2. I think that he might have tried a few other MC cartridges but I cannot be sure. ANyway, he selected the Benz L2 over the lot ($800 new). His personal tastes aside, I believe that the medium compliance Benz L2 was a much better fit for the unipivot Spacearm. The Shelter 501 is a low compliance cartridge & it is likely to not match up the Spacearm. There are tonearms that can take low compliance cartridges but I do not think that the Spacearm is on that list!
Hope that this helps.
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