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Cartridge / Tonearm opinions requested...

After 23 years of living with an Ariston RD11s I’ve decided it’s finally time to upgrade. I recently pre-ordered one of the upcoming Teres Audio 265 tables (with the cocobolo platter). I’ve been making myself fairly insane over arm and cartridge selection and I’d appreciate any feedback anyone would care to offer (Twl?).

Unless someone can relate a horror story I’ve pretty much narrowed down my arm choice to the Wilson Benesch Act 2. It was a coin toss with the Moerch DP-6 but I’m a freak for carbon fiber.

My short list of cartridges are:

Shelter 901
Wilson Benesch Analog
Koestsu Rosewood Signature
Allaerts MB-1 Boron

I haven’t heard much about the W-B cartridge. I know it is of unknown Japanese make. I would think the synergy with the Act 2 arm would be great but I don’t know much about it's sound characteristics. I’ve read lots of raves about the Shelter 901 (In fact I just ordered a 501 for my office system). The Allaerts is supposed to be imbued with magical properties that will forever elevate the life of the owner but I haven’t really read too much about it beyond a bit of hype. The Koetsu seems like the safe old favorite – it simply can’t be a bad choice…but is it the best choice?

The related analog gear is a Krell KPA phono stage, Sonic Frontiers Line 3 preamp, a Jadis Defy 7 Mk III amp, a White Audio Labs A250 amp. Speakers are custom Unity Audio Super-PARMs (four piece system).

Would anyone care to offer an opinion/comparison about these 4 cartridges and how they might work with the W-B arm?

(Sorry for the long post)
lasercd
lasercd OP
50 posts
 
Baldwin:

Which WB cartridge did you have? Analog or Carbon?
twl
3,251 posts
 
I recommended OL arms because I much prefer gimbal-bearing arm designs. I like low compliance cartridges, and there is no question in my mind that they are handled better by gimbal-bearing tonearms. Yes, some unipivot arms have made improvements in stability by using outrigger bars, but they remain an inherently unstable platform, due to their single point bearing. Just my opinion, but it is derived from over 30 years experience with analog equipment.
baldwin
13 posts
 
It was/is an Analog. Recently retipped by vandenhul. Baldwin
lasercd OP
50 posts
 
Well I just threw a curve ball at my decision.... After reviewing the responses to my post and asking a LOT of questions to dealers, manufacturers and distributors I've decided to bail out on the Wilson Benesch arm and the Shelter 901.

Instead I am going for the Morch DP-6 and the Allaerts MB-1 Boron. In a way I'm a bit disappointed to not get the 901 (I can't wait for my 501 to arrive) but the Allaerts appears to be an out and out monster and has a real synergy with the Morch arm. I looked forward to the 901 but I lusted after the Allaerts.

Chris Brady expects delivery of the cocobolo platters early July so I hope to have my new Teres 265 up and running shortly after.

Many thanks to everyone who responded to my posts and e-mails.
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
Lasercd,

Glad to read that your mental anguish is over now that you have decided on a tonearm & cart.

We'll look forward to reading a post/review of your Teres 265 system. I'm esp. interested in reading your comments of the whole set-up & the synergies between the Teres & the tonearm-cart. Too bad we will have to wait so long!
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