Dear Timl: I like the Akiva and if you want for a change there are several LOMC alternatives in your price range.
I wonder if you could take a different analog source alternative that is IMHO a first rate one and at least with a quality performance in the same league that any top LOMC, I'm reffering to the humble MM/MI cartridges.
Don't be afraid to try it because its ridiculous very low price or its very modest look, are great performers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/EMPIRE-4000D-lll-GOLD-ORIGINAL-TURNTABLE-NEEDLE-/250627798441?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5a94b5a9#ht_500wt_1182
http://cgi.ebay.com/Empire-EDR-9-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge-EDR-9-hdshel-/260599714039?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cacf410f7#ht_2778wt_1165
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ortofon-M20E-Super-MM-cartridge-M-20-E-Super-NOS-/400085013949?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d26ecd5bd
http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=NAGAOKAMP050&Category_Code=NAGAOKACART
You can buy all for less than 1K but this is not important as is its quality performancwe.
With this analog source alternative you can be nearest to the recording due that the signal cartridge on your Shindo will pass for less stages/veils than a LOMC cartridge and in the other side normally these MM/MI are better trackers and this means lower cartridge signal distortions/noises.
I think you can't loose almost nothing trying this alternative and you can " win " with its quality performance.
Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.
I wonder if you could take a different analog source alternative that is IMHO a first rate one and at least with a quality performance in the same league that any top LOMC, I'm reffering to the humble MM/MI cartridges.
Don't be afraid to try it because its ridiculous very low price or its very modest look, are great performers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/EMPIRE-4000D-lll-GOLD-ORIGINAL-TURNTABLE-NEEDLE-/250627798441?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5a94b5a9#ht_500wt_1182
http://cgi.ebay.com/Empire-EDR-9-Moving-Magnet-Cartridge-EDR-9-hdshel-/260599714039?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cacf410f7#ht_2778wt_1165
http://cgi.ebay.com/Ortofon-M20E-Super-MM-cartridge-M-20-E-Super-NOS-/400085013949?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d26ecd5bd
http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=NAGAOKAMP050&Category_Code=NAGAOKACART
You can buy all for less than 1K but this is not important as is its quality performancwe.
With this analog source alternative you can be nearest to the recording due that the signal cartridge on your Shindo will pass for less stages/veils than a LOMC cartridge and in the other side normally these MM/MI are better trackers and this means lower cartridge signal distortions/noises.
I think you can't loose almost nothing trying this alternative and you can " win " with its quality performance.
Regards and enjoy the music,
Raul.