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Graham and Shelter matching - and other arms/carts

When you get a component that truly lifts your system up and reveals what's going on everywhere else, you learn things about your system that you hadn't realized before. My new Io Sig has shown me that I probably need a better linestage (I posted about this in Amps/Preamps), and it's also taught me something about arm/cart matching.

Now that the Io is in the system, I am hearing an unhappy balance between my Graham 2.2 tonearm and Shelter 901 cartridge. There's a tubby bass resonance that sounds to me like the Shelter cantilever feeding back into the unipivot arm structure. The outriggers on the Graham are supposed to minimize this effect, but perhaps the match just simply isn't made in heaven.

Instead, my Ortofon RS-212 tonearm, matched with Ortofon SPU Classic GM cart, is sounding much more balanced, real and musical.

That leaves me with the question of what to do with my Graham and Shelter. I'd like to have a "modern" arm/cart combo to compare with the classic Ortofon setup (I currently have 3 arms mounted on my table). My third arm is an Origin Live modified RB250, which currently has a Denon 103R mounted on it (probably not the perfect matchup either). The Shelter doesn't sound fantastic in the Rega - it's better in the Graham.

I do like the Shelter sound a lot, so I could buy an arm that's a more appropriate match for it, a Moerch perhaps. But I'd have to sell the Graham to afford that, and I kind of want to keep a unipivot.

Any recommendations for exchanging the Shelter and Denon for carts more appropriate for the Rega and Graham, or vice-versa?
patrickamory

Showing 4 responses by dickson

dickson
30 posts
 
Patrick,

I have had the Shelter 901 on my Graham 2.2 and I thought it was a fairly good match although the bass was not as defined as I would have liked.

I finally mounted the 901 on my Vector tonearm and now this really is a wonderful combination. Excellent bass on the Vector. Just goes to show what careful matching can do. Now that I have the Vectors, (yes I have two) it seems that I don't listen to the Graham 2.2 that much.

The Vector can be adjusted for differnt cartridges with the use of tuning weights and you can also change the weight of the silicone damping oil. My next step is to try an Ikeda cartridge in a Vector.
dickson
30 posts
 
Doug,

I am using one Vector on an Oracle Delphi Mk V and the other I was going to try on a Teres 255 but I have not received the armboard from Chris yet. I am in the process of purchasing a used Basis 2800. I guess the Vector will function the best in this TT.

No it is not easy to adjust VTF on the Vector. Certainly the Graham is a lot easier, although A. J Conti has some tuning weights which may make minor adjustments easier. I have not received these yet but I will gives these a try when I get them.

BTW the Vector has a lateral thrust bearing as well as the silicone oil well to provide lateral stability. When I look at the bearing design it is a master piece of engineering to provide excellent lateral stability and damping and hence superb tracking.
dickson
30 posts
 
Hi Raul,

I am also using an Ikeda 9 Rex. What tonearm are you using this on? Also what VTF are you using?

Doug, when I spoke to Chris about an armboard he informed me about what he is working on and that is why I am still waiting for the armboard.
dickson
30 posts
 
Hi Raul,

I have just started using the Ikeda on the Infinity Black Widow. It tracks well even without damping! But adding some damping tames some of the sibilance. I am tracking at 2.0 grams.

It sounds the best so far on this tonearm. It sounds better than on the Graham tonearm! Go figure? I want to try the Vector but this will require heavier weights.

Regards,
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