If you’re selecting cartridges to any degree based on “channel separation” , you ought to take into account the frequency dependency of that spec. Typically companies give a single data point for separation at 1kHz, where for most cartridges separation is maximal. But our sense of the stereo image derives from the average of all frequencies where the higher frequencies dominate and bass frequencies are much less directional. Companies like Shure used to provide curves showing stereo separation at all audio frequencies for each sample of one of their cartridges. Then too, azimuth can mess things up with crosstalk. Anyway, that single data point is almost meaningless.
The Jico SAS/B Stylus VN 5 MR
The $285 Jico SAS/B VN 5 MR for the Shure V15 V MR turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. The diamond is a distinctly lower quality than what you find in $10K cartridges, but the contact patches are well formed and nicely polished which is what counts. SRA and Zenith are right on. You can compare it with other styluses here https://imgur.com/gallery/stylus-photomicrographs-51n5VF9. The next question is going to be, how does the V15 SAS/B combination sound? It sounds like the record, nothing less, nothing more. This is through my Grado headphones as my amps are off being modified to run with ESLs. My sense is it is not quite as dynamic as my other cartridges, but I really have to listen through the main system. I will add to this post as I hear more. One thing is for certain, this is one heck of a cartridge for $485, a bargain of immense proportion. It sounds very much like my old Soundsmith Voice a $3000 cartridge, but it tracks like a bandit at 1.2 grams.