You can maximize performance while staying within your budget if you choose the Shelter 201 MM cartridge and buy through a Japan-based storefront on eBay.
When the 201 was introduced via authorized dealer to the US, it was priced just a little over $200. Over time, rave reviews seemed to result in the MSRP creeping upward. Now it's $310 from a US authorized dealer. However, there are several Japan storefronts on eBay that offer the Shelter 201 for under $180 with free shipping.
I bought mine 13 mos. ago from this vendor. It was $166.97 at the time but the slight increase is probably based on dollar-to-yen fluctuations.
The important things are:
o Shipping was free and prompt with no hassles or hidden fees
o It was in Shelter factory packing
o It's well within your budget
o It sounds *fabulous* (after break-in) and excels on a wide variety of material. And by that I mean rock, small group jazz, big band, chamber music, large-scale orchestra, solo cello, Frank Sinatra, female vocals, etc. It is lush with great presentation of solo voices, provides fully-fleshed out tonality, good soundstaging, and ambience without the detail swallowing up the essence of the music.
o It's cheap to own. The Shelter 201 replacement stylus is only $100 through authorized US dealers such as NeedleDoctor. By contrast, the Ortofon 2M Blue stylus is $204.
When the 201 was introduced via authorized dealer to the US, it was priced just a little over $200. Over time, rave reviews seemed to result in the MSRP creeping upward. Now it's $310 from a US authorized dealer. However, there are several Japan storefronts on eBay that offer the Shelter 201 for under $180 with free shipping.
I bought mine 13 mos. ago from this vendor. It was $166.97 at the time but the slight increase is probably based on dollar-to-yen fluctuations.
The important things are:
o Shipping was free and prompt with no hassles or hidden fees
o It was in Shelter factory packing
o It's well within your budget
o It sounds *fabulous* (after break-in) and excels on a wide variety of material. And by that I mean rock, small group jazz, big band, chamber music, large-scale orchestra, solo cello, Frank Sinatra, female vocals, etc. It is lush with great presentation of solo voices, provides fully-fleshed out tonality, good soundstaging, and ambience without the detail swallowing up the essence of the music.
o It's cheap to own. The Shelter 201 replacement stylus is only $100 through authorized US dealers such as NeedleDoctor. By contrast, the Ortofon 2M Blue stylus is $204.