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How does Shure V15 Type IV compare?

Hi,  I recently got back into listening to vinyl again after 30+ years.   I purchased a new Project Classic turntable, and a new JICO stylus for my Shure V15 Type IV that I've kept from the 80's.   The Type IV cartridge with the new JICO stylus still sounds really great,  I think just as good as I remember when I used it in the 80's.   It sure beats the hack out of the Ortofon 2M silver cartridge that came with the turntable.

My question is, how does the Shure V15 Type IV stack up against today's high performance cartridges?  I want to know because if I were to upgrade from the Shure,  where do I begin?  at what price point should I start looking?   e.g Is the Shure just as good as let's say Ortofon 2m Black?   I would hate to spend hundreds of dollars to buy a new cartridge only to find out that it is inferior to the Shure.

Any information will be appreciated.  Thanks!
128x128xcool

Showing 4 responses by dekay

dekay's avatar
dekay
5,387 posts
 
No experience with the JICO replacement stylus, but I ditched the original IV and bought up a half dozen of the III's that I used before (both were still available in the late 70's).

Found the IV boring/lethargic sounding VS the III.

This said, I was using "old" phono preamps (Advent 300 phono section and the phono sections from various Dynaco PAS preamps, so perhaps it was a synergy/loading problem, though I doubt it.

Tried another highly touted budget Shure maybe 15 years ago (model #97 something) and it had the same lethargic type of sound.

DeKay
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,387 posts
 
As and addendum...
  
Just listen to and enjoy what you have running.  

As the JICO is a "plug in" stylus replacement give it 30-60 hours of playing time B4 judging it's sound quality on a whole.

I find Chak's endless rants about fairly "RARE" vintage cartridges (rare in finding them in GOOD operating condition) as well as his rants about belt drive decks tiresome (to say the least;-).

DeKay
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,387 posts
 
Roberjerman:

I never got to hear the MR version.

Thought about buying one (made in heaven match with my old SME), but the prices ended up doubling/tripling once it was discoed.

I recently found a new replacement stylus for my Grado (stored in a film can) that I don't recall buying, so I'm set for a few more years.

DeKay
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,387 posts
 
Chakser:

Sorry, went a bit overboard about the vintage cartridges (not BD's VS DD's though;-).

DeKay
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