You may have to go to a re-tipper like VAS to get a line-contact diamond installed on the original cantilever. That should perform about the same as the micro-ridge. It is important to retain the original cantilever and magnet on the end.
What stylus do Shure V15 users prefer?
I have two V15's in my collection of cartridges, V15 III and V15 IV. Both came with microridge stylus. The III is likely worn out and the IV arrived with broken cantilever. I bought some Pfansteils to try as cheap replacements. I also bought a JICO. All have been VN35E with the exception of the one for the IV, which is a VN45E as it was all I could find. I have not found any MR's. I have not tried any of them yet either, just haven't gotten around to it. The JICO ad said that it was a microridge stylus even though designated VN35E, which normally means eliptical. In the fine print, it also says expected to last 150 hours. Really? 150? That would suck. I did ask the seller about these claims and get no response. Just wondering what anyone thinks about the confusion and terrible life expectancy of a JICO. Thanks
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I have thought the very same thing, especially after reading the life expectancy on the JICO. Have you ever heard of a stylus that is expected to last only 150 hours? It's a new one on me. I have a few things to send to VAS and they have my VPI bearing currently. Was starting to think this might be the wrong forum to ask about an old Shure MM. We're all MC snobs here, aren't we? |
I have a few JICO SAS. I don't track hours, but I'd be surprised if any have less than 150 hours. The JICO website says "500 hours average" for the SAS and they should be good for longer with proper care, handling, and setup. https://www.jico-stylus.com/change-stylus/. If you're looking at JICO I'd go with the SAS. I bought a V15 Type IV for next to nothing and put a JICO SAS on it. Great bang for the buck. |
@billpete : I have a NIB Shure V15 mk5 micro ridge, along with a new SAS stylus. I put it away for possible future resale. Definitely a classic cartridge though I prefer moving coils. |
I have read the 500 hour claim as well but even that seems low to me. I was kind of shocked when I read that the one I bought said 150 hours. That would be terrible. I asked the seller about it, the fact that they said it was MR etc and they came back with they don't know anything about it. Seems kind of odd to me for someone who is selling new JICO stuff. I think I am much more inclined to send them to Steve Leung in the future. It took about a month to get this one from Japan. I got a Denon cartridge from a different seller in Japan and had it in two days. I was kind of amazed by that. |
I do have both, a few of each.