this, from Stereophile review of Shure V15V IV about Shure’s DAMPED brush
"The Damping Brush
The V15-IV is equipped with a small, fine-bristled brush mounted directly in front of the stylus and pivoted via damped hinges. The pickup can be used either with the brush raised and locked out of the way, or lowered so that the brush rides in the grooves. The brush is supposed to serve two purposes: To hold the cartridge directly over the average groove path, and to absorb warped-disc undulations. The result is a reduction in inward pull (due to the arm’s offset angle), effective damping of the arm/cartridge resonance in both the horizontal and vertical planes, and reduction of spurious subsonic interference as a result of warps and groove eccentricities. Not surprisingly, it is highly effective in accomplishing its goals; surprisingly perhaps, it does these things without producing a trace of background noise due to the brush’s contact with the disc—normally."
................................................
Jico Shure replacements have a brush, but they are NOT DAMPED. Like Shure’s you can play with it up or down.
My Shure V15VxMR body, (I broke the beryllium) I use a Jico SAS on Boron Cantilever, non-damped brush, use up or down.
I got clever, bought a Shure 97xe (my favorite Elliptical) with a damped brush. Had Steve at VAS re-fit it with an advanced stylus on boron. Now I am the only person I have heard of with 97xe with an advanced stylus. AND, it fits my Shure V15Vxmr body! Thus I can have a damped brush on either V15Vxmr body or 97xe body.
..........................................
There is no way I would buy an Elliptical for your cartridge, the performance of the body's magnet ... separation, channel balance will be retained, and the advantages of an advanced stylus shape are gained. I use the same light tracking force the Shure’s have, also advantageous for both stylus and groove wear.
AND I will not use or pay for anything stiffer than Boron, they are too delicate. I have a vintage Sumiko Talisman with Sapphire cantilever, my 75 year old hands are very careful messing with it.
