Turntables, Arms & Cartridges

Of course, every great high-end moving-coil has its own distinctive character. Rather like watching superlative footballers deliver their wizardry, they do it in their own special way. For me, the standout feature of this cartridge is its directness and immediacy, achieved with a complete lack of over-analysis. It isn't one of those forensic information retrievers that penetrates the groove with the focus of a laser just to get the job done. Instead the 9000 'divines' the spirit of the music out to you in a wonderfully open and carefree way, without overtly romanticising things.

For example, my 12in single of Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' [MCA Records MCAT 251] has certainly seen better days – its B-side 'Free Bird' a veteran of countless '80s teenage parties. Yet when the stylus settled into the groove, those snaps, crackles and pops seemed to recede into the middle distance, and out came the music in a wonderfully direct and engaging manner – smooth, fluid and organic.

I can see what Ozawa means when he talks of Shelter's 'balmy sound' because this moving-coil sashays its way through the record groove with both ease and poise. Seemingly, there's a clarity here that matches the best hi-res digital I've heard, yet it isn't delivered in anything like the same manner. So the sound filled my room, but it was as if I was slap-bang in the front row of a live performance. Lead and rhythm guitars were to the fore, but the bass line was still strong and the drum work, particularly the cymbals, cut across like a hot knife through butter.

Fantastical Performance
Alongside that immediacy is a majestic soundstage, as if someone had sneaked in a home cinema processor and selected 'stadium' mode – but better. This cartridge makes loudspeakers disappear before your very eyes – Earth, Wind & Fire's 'Fantasy' [from The Best Of; Columbia FC 35647] was indeed fantastical, giving a panoramic view of the recording better than any wide angle, fish-eye lens. Instruments in the mix – such as the brass stabs – jumped out with gusto when and from where you'd least expect, including from behind the massive central vocal line, itself conveyed here with a granite-like solidity and confidence.

Soundstaging was stellar too, sounds dropping way back into an inky black horizon, yet running out right towards you when called upon so to do. There was a sense that you could hear all four walls of the recording studio's vocal booth, and that it was set completely differently to percussion and rhythm guitar work.

It was fascinating to hear the Model 9000 string all the music's rhythmic clues together. Kate Bush's 'Cloudbusting' [Hounds Of Love; EMI KAB1] is one of those recordings that can sound flat on vinyl if played with a sub-par cartridge, but sparks with electricity when heard via a truly first class one. Here it sounded as rhythmic as a Donna Summer disco record, with those massed, multi-layered Fairlight samples crashing away in the background to give the song huge impetus.

The relationship between Kate's phrasing and the backing percussion became everything, totally dominating the song and giving it drive and meaning. The Shelter 9000 can deliver dizzyingly quick transients and microdynamics are handled with a similar firecracker speed. The result is a highly vibrant and pacey sound that ensnares you and locks you into the performance.

The Two Seasons
Nevertheless, and despite Shelter's description, the sound of the 9000 is not quite as 'balmy' as some old-school high-end MCs – its vibrancy breaks free of that. The latter rely on a slight sepia tint, a richness that's compelling in its own right. Instead, they are the powerful orange glare of an autumnal sunset while the 9000 is a little closer to the 'blue white' of a spring day, albeit still with the slightest hint of sweetness to remind us why we love vinyl so.

For example, a modern and very clean recording like Visioneers' 'Oil And Water' [Hipology; BBE – BBE176ALP] comes over with great openness, and as translucent as anything I have heard. This great modern rap track is tinged with a touch of Philadelphia soul, and really soars with a serious pick-up like the 9000. Its looped hi-hats sounded vibrant, with a tangible feel to the sound that you just don't hear from lesser designs.

Vocals were another joy – the smoothness and lack of grain, alongside an exceptional insight into vocal textures, makes this a special thing to hear. Bass was also rock-solid, and delivered in perfect time rather than sounding like an optional extra, ensuring the 9000's performance was never less than a pleasure from bottom to top.

Hi-Fi News Verdict
Welcome Shelter Model 9000, to the pantheon of great MC cartridges. Although not cheap, it comfortably outperforms most price rivals and thus represents fine value for money. Its super-incisive yet musical sound makes any LP you care to play come alive before your very ears. Its weight and price might preclude it for some, but those able to countenance purchasing one should hear it if they possibly can.