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Stylus replacement for Shure V-15 v MR

Hi All, I have two Shure V-15vMR cartridges that, like many, need new stylus. Question is: send in to Soundsmith for a re-tip and if so where is the "sweet spot" value wise of their three levels of service? Know each level provides a better end product but enough to justify the expense? Any opinions?

Also, any opinions on the Saunders replacement stylus that is now being marketed at very reasonable price ($79) Is this close enough in sound given the substantial savings?

Lastly, is the V-15 reputation more myth than material. I know it is a very good cartridge, but is it better to just invest the same amount of money into another make/model?

Any opinions greatly appreciated before I decide on a path to take in bringing these back to life.
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viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
I have two V15Vmr cartridges (note, not the x model, which I once owned but did not care for), one with an original USA Shure stylus - later ones were made in Mexico - and one with JICO SAS stylus, and my JICO SAS is, IMHO, inferior to the original stylus and hardly a category killer. On the other hand, it is very modestly priced and represents fair value. I avoid labels like "mid fi" probably because I don't understand them, but for the cost, the V15Vmr is a fine performer, I own several better cartridges, though they all are quite a bit more expensive.
arfan
3 posts
 
Dopogue,my stylus fell apart last night.From whom did you order? If the JICO/SAS is an improvement it would be worth it.
dopogue
1,767 posts
 
Arfan, I got my last one from LP Gear.
johnnyb53
3,490 posts
 
For a quality MM cartridge with a MicroRidge/MicroLine stylus, currently in production with a replaceable stylus, the Audio Technica AT150MLX is pretty hard to beat. It certainly has more sophisticated innards than the Shure, and is wired with PCOCC. I've been using mine for 3 years now, and every improvement in downstream cabling, electronics, and speakers has shown the cartridge's goodness rather than limitations so far. It *is* picky about capacitive loading; 150pF total (including tonearm/turntable cable) seems to be about ideal.

I am tempted, however, to get a Jico stylus for my M97xE to see how competitive it is.
orpheus10
5,988 posts
 
Viridian, "Mid fi" and affordable are synonymous; "High end" and expensive are synonymous. High end sounds better than "Mid fi". Mid fi people subscribed to "Stereo review", while high end people subscribed to "Stereophile".
If you need more, you can count on me.
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