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Shelter
cartridges and step-up transformer are made by Mr. Ozawa,
a former employee of Fidelity Research. For those too young to
remember Fidelity, this company thrived during the seventies an
eighties, making wonderful tonearms and cartridges that were
renowned all over the world. Hence, Yasuo Ozawa has a strong
background in cartridge design and in 1986, he left to establish
Shelter. Yasuo Ozawa holds the notion that music, in its
purest form, is art. Instead of believing that a phono
cartridge is a mechanical device for music reproduction, Yasuo
feels in his heart that his cartridges are indeed a musical
instrument in their own right.
Lovingly and meticulously hand-crafted, Shelter cartridges are
so precise that every nuance and every delicate passage of music
is faithfully reproduced at a level that is unmatched in the
audio world. Twenty years of painstaking, passionate and
meticulous attention to microscopic detail has lead Shelter to
the pinnacle of audio perfection. More and more great
reviews are now circulation on the internet about the
outstanding qualities of theses cartridges once only available
to wealthy Japanese audiophiles. Shelter's cartridges are
renowned for their flawless construction and high-precision
performance.
Harmony
£3,250.00
 For
analogue enthusiasts in pursuit of perfection, Shelter's Harmony
moving coil cartridge is a musical milestone. The Harmony
delivers audio so refined that even the most familiar recordings
sound new once more. As long-buried harmonic layers are
uncovered and subtle nuances become audible for the first time,
playing old records becomes a revelatory experience.
The Shelter Harmony MC cartridge owes its sonic superiority to a
union between innovative ingredients and time-tested mechanics.
The cartridge is handcrafted from state-of-the-art aerospace
materials. Its shell is constructed from layered sheets of
carbon fibre, an exceptionally strong yet light composite that
absorbs and decreases vibrations. The motor system features an
aluminium cantilever shortened for strength and rapid response
and a line-contact stylus designed for enhanced tracking
ability.
The latest in a long line of groundbreaking phono cartridges,
the Harmony demonstrates once again why Shelter is at the
forefront of the analogue audio reproduction industry. And as
the only UK retailer stocking this elegantly engineered
cartridge from Shelter, Sound Hi Fi Audio gives vinyl
connoisseurs an irresistible incentive to give their treasured
LPs another spin and a fresh "first listen."
Words by Yasuo
Ozawa:
When I look back at early Moving Coil cartridge design, the
models with the shortest life span were the ones that were not
well balanced. Sonic characteristics stood out due to choice of
materials used. For the last 30 years, the MC cartridge has been
manufactured with various materials, both in the motor system
and body-shell. However, just a handful of these trusted
materials are used by most of today’s cartridge manufacturers.
Since the beginning, Shelter has chosen aluminium for its
body-shells and cantilevers: although today’s models use boron
or aluminium in regards to the later.
For the first time we have chosen CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced
plastic) for the body-shell of our new reference model named
Harmony. This material has superior characteristics of absorbing
and decreasing vibrations. The resonance frequency of this CFRP
material is out of the audible frequency range.
Thus having less coloration but allowing the reproduced signal
many sonic advantages. Also in use is our aluminium cantilever
with OFC lead wire. The cantilever is slightly shorter for added
strength and rapid response. The stylus tip is a line contact;
used to prevent the tendency of unclear outline due to the
aluminium cantilever; simultaneously improves tracking ability.
This combination of modern body-shell and traditional motor
system allows The Harmony to draw out subtle nuances from the
analogue disc. But at the same time it has the ability to
capture and reproduce
natural sounds regardless of the music genre.
Specification
• Output Voltage: 0.5 mV at 1-kHz 5-cm/second
• Channel Balance: Within 0.8dB at 1-kHz
• Weight: 8.5g
• DC Resistance: 15 ohms
• Tracking Force Range: 1.4 to 2.2g
• Cantilever: Aluminium; shortened for added strength & rapid
response
• Monocoque body from CFRF (carbon fibre reinforced plastic);
decreases vibrations
• Shelter Harmony also includes hand-milled carbon fibre
mounting hardware
9000
£2,250.00
The Shelter 9000
features new technology that improves dynamic range. The 9000 is
a complete departure from previous Shelter cartridges. The newly
designed body includes higher rigidity, improved front-yoke and
larger diameter PC-OCC lead wires wound around the redesigned
bobbin. The end result is new levels of dynamism and quietness
for a smooth and effortless presentation.
Specification
• Output Voltage: 0.65 mV at 1kHz 5cm/sec.
• Channel Balance: Within 0.8dB at 1kHz
• Stylus Tip: 0.3 x 0.7mil Elliptical Nude Diamond
• Weight: 11g
• DC Resistance: 11 ohms
• Tracking Force Range: 1.4 to 2.0g
• Recommended Load Impedance: within 10 to 30 ohms with step-up
transformer, within 100 ohms with head amplifier
• Compliance: 9cu
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz +/-2dB
• Channel Separation at 1 kHz: >25dB
• Anodized Aluminium Body with neodymium magnet
7000
£1,450.00
"While I would
never call the 7000 a 'lush-sounding' cartridge, it almost
manages to convey the natural warmth inherent in most
instruments…the 7000 also does a great job of placing
instruments precisely within a believable 3-D space, again
improving realism…the Shelter 7000 delivers a heaping helping of
sonic sophistication for the money." – Chris Martens, The
Absolute Sound, March 2008
A new cartridge design technology improves dynamic range. These
new models (the 7000 and 9000) are a complete departure from the
current line current line of Shelter cartridges. Newly designed
body, high frigidity, improved front-yoke, larger diameter PC-OCC
lead wires wound around the redesigned bobbin. These new
concepts and design philosophy allow the Shelter 7000 to achieve
new levels of dynamism and quietness for a smooth and effortless
sonic presentation.
Specification
• Output Voltage: 0.55 mV at 1kHz 5cm/sec.
• Channel Balance: Within 0.8dB at 1kHz
• Stylus Tip: 0.3 x 0.7mil Elliptical Nude Diamond
• Weight: 11g
• DC Resistance: 9 ohms
• Tracking Force Range: 1.4 to 2.0g
• Recommended Load Impedance: within 10 to 30 ohms with step-up
transformer, within 100 ohms with head amplifier
• Compliance: 9cu
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz +/-2dB
• Channel Separation at 1 kHz: >25dB
• Anodized Aluminium Body with neodymium magnet
Read the review by
clicking here
5000
£999.00
"First, the 5000
offers significant performance improvements relative to the next
model down in Shelter's product line – the award-winning $850
501 Mk II. Specifically, the 5000 surpasses its less costly
little brother by delivering more detail, more sharply drawn
dynamic contrasts, and a more fully fleshed out,
three-dimensional soundstage…the Shelter 5000 cleanly delineates
the timbres of individual voices and, just as importantly, shows
each one is originating from its own specific location within
the soundstage." – Chris Martens, The Absolute Sound, March 2008
The newest addition to Shelter's latest line of cartridges, this
is the little brother of the 7000 and 9000 series. The 5000
promises to uphold Shelter's reputation of outstanding sonics at
a reasonable price.
Specification
• Output Voltage: 0.5 mV at 1kHz 5cm/sec.
• Channel Balance: Within 0.8dB at 1kHz
• Stylus Tip: 0.3 x 0.7mil Elliptical Nude Diamond
• Weight: 9.1g
• DC Resistance: 14 ohms
• Tracking Force Range: 1.4 to 2.0g
• Recommended Load Impedance: within 10 to 30 ohms with step-up
transformer, within 100 ohms with head amplifier
• Compliance: 9cu
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz +/-2dB
• Channel Separation at 1 kHz: >25dB
• Anodized Aluminium Body with neodymium magnet
Read the review by
clicking here
501 II
£699.00
501
II Mono £849.00
Owners of this
wonderful cartridge have said the Shelter 501 II easily fills
the sonic shoes of cartridges costing two or three times as
much. The 501 II blends its musical presentation with a warm,
extremely musical midrange, deep, authoritative bass and a
smooth as silk top end. Instruments shine and are easily placed,
showing plenty of soul. With a 0.5mV output and great tracking,
the 501 II is stunning. It's said that this is the exact
cartridge that "was" available as the Crown Jewel, but selling
for over £1,300!
The Absolute
Sound
“Shelter cartridges…have been generating Internet “buzz” as
price to performance leaders for well over a year. Let me come
right out and say it: This cartridge has treble air
without brightness, transient speed without overshoot,
definition without edginess, focus without sterility, and bass
weight without any thick or syrupy coloration. – Chris Martens
Stereophile
Recommended Component, Class B
"I recommend the Shelter 501 MK.II without hesitation."
Reviews
aM Hardware
10
Audio
TNT
Specification
• Output Voltage: 0.4 mV at 1kHz 5cm/sec.
• Channel Balance: Within 1dB at 1kHz
• Stylus Tip: 0.3 x 0.7mil Elliptical Nude Diamond
• Weight: 8.1g
• DC Resistance: 12 ohms
• Tracking Force Range: 1.4 to 2.0g
• Recommended Load Impedance: within 20 ohms with step-up
transformer, within 100 ohms with head amplifier
• Compliance: 9cu
• Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz +/-2dB
• Anodized Aluminium Body with neodymium magnet
301 II
£549.00
Enjoy the legendary
Shelter cartridge sound without breaking the bank. Introducing
the 301II Moving Coil .3MV output. Enjoy a rich, musically
enjoyable midrange, supple bass lines and a sweet top end with
this affordably-priced .3mV output MC cartridge from one of the
best cartridge makers in the world. The 301II has the same body
as the original 501 but in a beautiful blue. This cartridge is
quickly gaining acclaim as a great bargain. Shelter cartridges
have been known for their ability to compete with cartridges
costing two to three times more.
Specification
• Output Voltage: 0.4 mV at 1kHz 5cm/sec.
• Channel Balance: within 1dB at 1kHz
• Stylus Tip: 0.65mil Conical Nude Diamond
• Weight 8.1g
• DC Resistance: 11 ohms
• Tracking Force Range: 1.5 to 2.2g
• Recommended Load Impedance: step-up transformer within 20
ohms, head amplifier within 100 ohms
201
Moving Magnet
£149.00
Shelter introduces
a £149 Moving Magnet cartridge that stays true to this great
company's "family sound." The unique quality of the 201 MM is
that it offers tremendous musicality without being overly
critical of the quality of vinyl it is tracking. This is an
outstanding bonus when considering an entry-level analogue front
end.
Specification
• Output Voltage: 4 mV at 1kHz 5cm/sec.
• Channel Balance: within 1dB at 1kHz
• Stylus Tip: 0.3 x 0.7mil Elliptical
• Weight 6.2g
• Tracking Force Range: 1.5 to 2.0g
• Recommended Load Impedance: 47k ohms
411 MC
Transformer
£1,200.00
Specification
• Input Impedance: >15 ohms
• Output Impedance: 47 to 50k ohms
• Frequency Bandwidth: 20Hz to 50kHz (-3dB with 3 ohm load)
• Step-up Ratio: 32dB (about x40)
• Weight: 1kg
Mail order & Prices
We will match or beat any price and often ship for free!
Just telephone, Fax or e-mail and order by Credit
Card, Debit Card, Cheque and other ways. We ship in the UK by Citylink.
All prices shown
include UK VAT at 17.5%.
To remove VAT divide by 1.175 |
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