I damanged my Shelter cartridge, next steps?....

Guys, thanks for the advice. Some good options mentioned. I'm still open to a number of cartridge choices. I may go with a more reasonably priced option in the short term (perhaps the DL 103), and save to get something better longer term. Another option might be to jump on a bargain used cartridge - the ZYX Airy 2s looks inviting at $925 for example. Still, this is an expense I hadn't anticipated, so am weary of spending more than $800 just now. Does anyone know where I can still pick up a new Denon DL103, or where I can get a good deal on another Shelter 501 Mk2? The Sumiko does look interesting too.. Anyway, thanks again for the advice. Shame I can't salvage this Shelter ;-(

Hi Dirtyragamuffin - I'd definitely be keen to see if I can have the Shelter repaired - my sense from some comments though is that the cartridge is kaput now though. BUT - if anyone has ideas on where I might send it for review (and possible repair), I'm all ears. Certainly, that would be a great way for me to go, if the cost of repair is not prohibitive, and the resulting sonics not impaired..

FYI, I just ordered a Denon DL 103 from the UK (Doh! - should have waited and acted on the more local audiocubes tip.) Still, I'm in the market for investing in a stronger contender than the Denon if I see something special at the right price. Thanks again for the input guys.

Jyprez - that sounds like a fantastic deal you got on that replacement. That might be the best way for me to go, if I can avail of such a deal. Is there someone in particular I shoudl contact at Music Direct, do you think the offer would be a general policy that they apply, or do you think you were just lucky? Just seems like a super deal (very nice of them :-)

Does anyone know the website/contact email of Shelter in Japan? I purchased it direct from some store/site in Japan but can't for the live of me remember the store/site. I got the Shelter about two years ago. I guess I should explore a fix/retip with them. They might be nice to me like MusicDirect was nice to Jyprez. One can only hope :-)

Thanks again for the great suggestions and words of wisdom. I'm glad to know I'm not the only person to have broken a cartridge (although I have done this twice. Third time's a charm...;-)

So, to update on the Shelter issue - even though the cantilever is askew (both vertically and horizontally) and the suspension is quite loose, I reinstalled the Shelter on my OL Silver, and Teres 255 (just got the 255 platter, so had to let it settle into place). I seated the Shelter skewing to one side so that the needle could at least line up correctly with the groove. And, well, it's the darndest thing, but it sounds damn good?! The cartridge is aligled at about a 15 degree angle (in order to line the cantilever up straigt with the grooves), and the cantilever is way steeper into the groove vertically than it should be = maybe at about an additional 15 degree angle between the cartridge body and the cantilever (but, I guess because the suspension is loose, it ends up being pretty ideal angle when the tracking force is applied). So, I was very skeptical of getting anything close to real sound, but it sounds fantastic...Open question is, am I putting a strain on the records (over wearing one side of the groove?), although the channel seperation sounds perfect, with no etching present at all on my choice recordings. Also, I'm practically waiting for the needle to fall out or something, but so far, so good.Anyway, all told, I guess I'll continue to run the Shelter 'as is' until I hear otherwise - and am now less inclined to fork out $$ on a new/used heavy-hitter cartridge like an Airy 2/3 etc (which I've been considering). I did order a Denon DL-103 from the UK though, which didn't cost me much, and I guess will be a great comparison (and back up cartridge) to the Shelter. Anyway, thanks guys for the advice and guidance on getting through this problem. I'm a bit embarassed to see that the cartridge is still usable (that my diagnosis of fatality was off target, but I'm thrilled too ;-) Anyway, just wanted to post an update. Hopefully I'll be getting some more blissful hours out of this Shelter yet.

Mmm, that's what I was afraid of - so i would be damaging my records. They seem to sound just fine, but I believe you guys. Ok, I guess I'll be taking the plunge on a new cartridge..I do have the Denon DL 103 on the way, so that might keep me occupied for a while, but if I still have the itch to get a better cartridge, the foremost contender right now is a used Airy 3X-SB. I trust it will match my OL Silver OK. i'll keep you posted

Well, I went ahead with a new cartridge purchase. I went out on a limb and selected the Airy 3x-sb. A bit more of a cartridge than I was in the market for, but hopefully will be a nice upgrade for my system. I have the new MG-1 air bearing tonearm on the way too. Not sure how that cartridge/arm combo will pair up on my Teres 255, but I still have my OL Silver arm too.

Hi Growlar. Actually, I just sold the OL Silver this week, and am still using the MG-1. I didn't do close comparison between the two arms - it takes a little time to switch out the arms on my rig, and also, I didn't want to touch the Airy cartridge any more than I have to (last thing I need is to damage the Airy - I'd need therapy for sure ;-)

That said, my impression having used both arms is that the MG-1 sounded better. I was experiencing some skipping of the cartridge, but I ended up setting up the turntable directly on my brick floor, and now there is absolutely no skipping or vibration. The rig is rock solid now, and I'm experiencing no problems. The MG-1 seemed to sound a bit more 'airy', excuse the pun, but that's the best word I can think of. The music seemed a bit more full and effortless. I think I'll be very happy to stay with the arm until such time as I can afford a Schroeder, which may be some time away. I'd be curious to hear other impressions of the MG-1 from more seasoned Audiophiles, as I've only experience with these two arms.

Hi Cardiackid, thanks for the suggestion. I haven't heard of that company, so I will check it out. I also got a recommendation to send to Benz Micro in Switzerland, which I may try too. Overall, I'm now up and running with a ZYX Airy 3x-sb low output, so I'm in good shape. But, it would be great to see can I get the Shelter salvaged and then have a backup, or re-sell. Thanks again for the tip. I'll surely try and get it fixed/retipped if I can.