Shelter 901/ vdh FROG/Grasshopper/ Benz H20 - Decision Help - Bob C

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OTL, Output Transformerless Amplifier User Group.

Shelter 901/ vdh FROG/Grasshopper/ Benz H20 - Decision Help

I am in the process of upgrading my cartridge. (I just sold my Clearaudio Sigma Gold, which I found to be lean and emphasize Sibilance "in my system) Excellent in all other respects.
I have a SOTA STAR Series 4 , with vacuum platter, electronic flywheel. COSMOS armboard, Graham 1.5, Graham IC 30 tonearm wire.
Atmasphere M50 Amplifiers, Atmasphere P2 Preamp.,(Both completely rebuilt by Mark G.)
Speakers: Classic Audio Reproductions T3 speakers.
I am considering the following cartridges: (nothing with <.3mv ouitput)
Shelter 501 ?
SHELTER 901 - is it as good as they say?
vdh FROG
vdh Grasshopper
BENZ H20
my priorities are:
1st: "weighty , textured, lots of bloom"
2nd: Clean Non harsh, warmer side of neutral midrange, low record noise - Sax and Double bass are my favorite instruments, and they gotta be right!
3rd: Bass - tight, ex.pitch definition,but with plenty of weight in the 50-300hz region, (but not fat)
4.Non tiring top end.
Imaging, depth and detail are less inportant to me than the above.
I don't want to be a member of the cartridge of the month club either.
If the Shelter 901 is in fact that good I'll buy one.
Is the 501 Close?
Can't seem to find much in writing on it.
My fear with vdh is that I will have lots of detail with no weight.
!
The Benz is highly reccommended to me but I haven't heard one.
I am in Maine, where hi-end audio usually represents a Sony Table top radio, I buy my "stuff" on the web or from friends I have made along my Audio journey.
What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Bob

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Topic - Shelter 901/ vdh FROG/Grasshopper/ Benz H20 - Decision Help - Bob C 08:46:59 03/01/02 (8)

Re: Shelter 901/ vdh FROG/Grasshopper/ Benz H20 - Decision Help - Allan 06:05:59 03/03/02 (1)

Still haven't bought a cartridge. See message below.. - Bobc 07:04:55 03/03/02 (0)

Re: Shelter 901/ vdh FROG/Grasshopper/ Benz H20 - Decision Help - MP 05:26:42 03/02/02 (2)

Re: Shelter 901/ vdh FROG/Grasshopper/ Benz H20 - Decision Help - Lin Williams 13:53:14 03/02/02 (1)

Re: Shelter 901/ vdh FROG/Grasshopper/ Benz H20 - Decision Help - mark 14:32:04 03/02/02 (0)

Re: Shelter 901/ vdh FROG/Grasshopper/ Benz H20 - Decision Help - mark 16:57:46 03/01/02 (2)

My maine corncern is:... - Bob C 20:12:06 03/02/02 (0)

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