Greatly appreciated Mike
2 Likes
Approximately, how many records do you have?
DG…
I am new to this forum and I have a question for fordy regarding the Shelter 90c cartridge. I understand its exclusive to Audio Union of Japan. Can you share your experience with this cartridge? Thanks.
They’ll be notified now 
My new family member is a 50 year old LP12 that is finally connected and up and running. Gerry Mulligan - Night Lights coming out of the speakers and it sounds wonderful. Aurorasound Vida Prima is backing it up. And what can I say. It still schwiiings! 
And my old original Coltrane records even though this setup is nothing extra ordinary sounds so real. First time I’ve heard a turntable through my 500/552 system too. Fun times 
(must resist upgrade devil…)
25 Likes
Yes I bought the Shelter 90c in 2011/12 at the Audio Union store in Shinjuku. They told me that it was a model that was exclusive to their chain and it consisted a Harmony generator in the 901 aluminium body. This was also confirmed with some web info I found at the time in Japan.
It’s an excellent cartridge with medium compliance tracking at about 1.8g at loading at about 100ohms and healthy 0.5mV output. Not particularly fussy in terms of tonearm or phonostage. I’ve used it in a number of scenarios over the years and have always been pleased but perhaps the best combination was in a Graham Phantom tonearm. It’s a well judged sound, nice high frequencies but not too hyper detailed (Lyra), not too brash forward or recessed in the mids and not overly warm either. Bass is probably its strongest feature as it always struck me as a very rhythmic cartridge. I’ve always had a lot of cartridges in rotation and this is one that has stayed with me for the long term.
3 Likes
Very nice 
Flutes are best 
And lovely close up photos (again)
R
2 Likes
Hi Fordy, thankyou very much for the reply. I plan to go to Tokyo this December and want to acquire the 90c from AU. Here’s the odd thing, if you look at AU’s website, the 90c, although new, is sold on the “used hi-end” 2nd Floor whereas the other Shelter is sold on the “hi-end” 3rd floor. I may be thinking way ahead of myself; the 90c could be based on an older model and it looks a bit like the 90x which made its debut in the early 2000. I am looking for something slightly on the warm side and based on my research it should fit the requirement.
1 Like
Testing out the camera on my wife’s new iPhone 16 Pro to see what it can do. Pretty fine resolution which makes my standard Linn oak plinth look quite exotic!
… and my DV TKR look quite dusty!
29 Likes
Oooo… I do like a TKR, love mine in the new system.
Tim
Hi all
Any thoughts would be welcome. LP12, Ittok. Currently with an Ortofon Cadenza Red cartridge which I have enjoyed.
Coming to the end of it’s life and I need to change.
Options - stick with the red, upgrade to a Cadenza Blue using the Ortofon trade in discount or go for a Dynavector XX2 11 which seems to be well regarded. The Dynavector and the blue would be closely matched price wise after the Ortofon discount. Or are there other options out there I should consider. Many thanks for any thoughts.
1 Like
Sorry I should have said the blue and Dynavector come in around £1300
Dynavector’s generally do very well on LP12’s but what you really should be concerned about is the cartridge working well with the phono preamp. What phono pre will you be using ?
1 Like
Hi I use a Trichord Dino Mk3 and Dino + power supply
Dynavector XX2Mk11 is a great cart. Used one on my LP12 with Ekos 2. Very nice. Will work well with the Ittok based LP12.
6 Likes
Lovely LP12/Aro and striking looking cartridge! It’s photo’s like this that tempt me back into the fold.
1 Like
This is my 4 year old LP12. Standard Linn walnut plinth. It’s a Peter Swain build Frankenstein deck, built to a budget. Looking to change the cartridge to ATVM95SH when the current cartridge finally wears out. Maybe a new mat and belt next year, is 5 years about right to change these out?
15 Likes
Nice deck and great setup.
Then latest advice when the Linn belt went up in price was an expected life of ten years or if seen to be marking badly with wear as for the mat my first one lasted about 25 years and only got replaced when I noticed a new one came with an upgrade and was less floppy.
Cartridges too some say about a thousand or so hours use it until it starts to sound off and a bit sibilant.
There is far too much voodoo about vinyl just enjoy it. 
7 Likes
Hi Paul,
It looks great. I assume it sounds great too, but how has it compared with your expectations? Asking because I have a 32.5/hc/250. I sometimes toy with the idea of adding an LP12, but can’t be bothered with an extreme treasure hunt. The idea of a Cymbiosis deck built to a budget is appealing.
Thanks
3 Likes
A 83’ LP12 bought with Cirkus, a Basik LV-V, no feet no backplate. But recently reverted to an almost-original spec – black-paint-white-liner pre Cirkus, a Ittok and Karma with replacement feet, tonearm cable with bnc plugs into 32.5/HC/250 and Kan MK1.
Playing Dire Straits’s In The Gallery just most funky and addictive ever, real synergy with Naim.
22 Likes