Audio Technica VM540ML v. N97xe Jico SAS

opps, my bad...Still a couple hundred more than the Nag. If Garrott could have their stuff on amazon with prime shipping that would be a plus, as well.

Again, may consider it if I don't like the nag (I have a good feeling about it, though)

The Nagaoka MP-150 is incredible! I’m only a few records in but the music and emotion is back big time. It’s crazy how the music is just leaping off the vinyl. It’s punchy and dynamic and the mids are smooth and great bass as well. The detail is there but no harshness at all...this is the real deal...

Yup +1 Nag MP150.  Put mine back in yesterday and enjoying it. Compared to any other MM I have, this one is totaly satisfying top to bottom and tracks like a champ at 1.748 g.

What's crazy is that I believe the MP-150 actually has better detail than the 540ML. (Which is what I thought would be the Nag's weakness) I think the MP-150 exposes the 540 as having "fake detail" if that makes sense. Just doesn't sound believable even though it did SEEM like it had  great detail at the time. I think this proves that the cantilever and stylus shape should not be the determining factor that one cart is better than another, you just have to listen to it. I will be happy for many years to come I think. Now to focus on the preamp...

In fairness, the Nagaoka MP-500 is more of a direct competitor (than the MP-150) to the Audio-Technica VM540ML because both use line-contact type styli. 

Well the MP-500 is around $600 more than the 540ML, so not sure if it would be a fair fight. Would be fun to compare, nonetheless. I would be more interested in the 150 vs 500 in the Nagaoka line since the 150 is already so good...

I have the M97Xe and the glue came loose just like the OP.  I did the super glue thing and replaced the old stylus with a JICO Boron SAS.  I'm using it with a Fluance 85.  I aligned the cartridge with a Technics alignment tool which doesn't depend on the cartridge body but the cantilever for alignment.  When it was first fitted it was extremely harsh and peaky in the 4K-8K region.  But after about 72 hrs of play it has evened out nicely.  It doesn't sound like the old 97N stylus.  In fact it is very flat and uncolored which is what I prefer.  I also have a Ortofon 2M blue which is rather bright compared to the M97x SAS.