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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. 

128x128mijostyn
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mijostyn OP
8,570 posts
 

So, far two friends have been pleasantly surprised by the V15. Was Shure on to something?

grinnell
1,099 posts
 

I go a Shure V15VxMR when i bought a used TT from a guy who bundled it with a bunch of stuff.  I sold off most of the stuff including the TT but kept the Shure.  In 14 years I have bought 3 Jico styli for it and love the sound with my VPI HW-19 mk iv.

big_greg
6,640 posts
 

I bought a Shure V15 Type 4 with a broken stylus in 2019 for $135 and outfitted it with a JICO SAS.  Great cartridge for under $500.  I also have a Shure M97xE and a Realistic R1000 EDT (a rebadged Shure M95), both with JICO SAS styli.  They are all surprisingly good.  The V15 is the best, then the M97.

I didn't realize how good, until I got my current phono stage.  They tended to sound a little thin and bright with my other phono stages, but with my Cary Audio VT-500, they have a nice full punchy sound that is neutral and easy to listen to while bringing out a lot of detail.

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn OP
8,570 posts
 

I am now listening to Peter Gabriel Plays Live through the Grado Headphones. I suspect the stylus's suspension is breaking in as I have no problem with dynamics playing this record, punchy as heck. My amps are returning this afternoon and I will be able to say more. I also plan on running tracking tests.

lewm
13,106 posts
 

The major advertising points around the V15 back in the day cited its tracking ability at very low VTF. So you have a basis to expect very good grades, albeit the aftermarket stylus could make a huge difference. I don’t know of any data, but the V15 (maybe along with the Denon 103 and its congeners) might be the best selling cartridge of all time, certainly in the US.

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