low tracking force cartridge recommendations?

Hello Doug, I presume you posted a link to Raul's posts, correct?

Well, I do very much like what Raul says, and I personally find that virtually all of what Raul has ever contributed to this forum is highly valuable, and helpful. My hat's off to you Raul!

But why Raul fails to mention, like, or suggest in any of his posts, any of the Shure V-15 Cartridges is beyond me?

While I can probably not ever claim to be in a class of you Doug, or Raul in experience with so many different, very costly Catrridges, or ever give precise accurate information about the many things "analog, I do have a considerable amount of experience with Shure MM Cartridges, mainly the V-15 Series, I've owned a number of Type III, and in fact still own my 35 year old original, bought new, and now sports a Jico SAS Stylus.

This is used on a spare mint Denon DP-2550/Grace DA-307 Table of mine. I've had literal 1000's of hours placed on this very Cartridge, as well as other V-15's I've owned, and this particular Cartridge is now on its fourth Stylus! Therefore, I'd like to say, my claims are not from hearsay, other's advice, or claims, but my own personal experiences over the many years I've been into analog. I first started this quest in 1972. As Doug Knows, I now sport a ZYX Airy 3X on a VPI Table. A great Cartridge that gets beter every time I play it.

I've heard numerous V-15's in other's systems, find many of my friends still use this Cartridge happily, and swear by it's sound.

By no means trying to barge my way into this discussion claiming I'm some authority, but this is one way to get excellent sound, superb tracking, and value, at a very meager price. Mark

Hello Tethead, My reasoning for buying a new Stylus for a older Shure, is that most likely, a used Shure V-15 Type II, III, or IV you find used will most likely have either/or a worn out Stylus, or shot Cantilever Suspension Components.

I have no idea what current prices people are getting for used Shure Type III on that famous auction site, and it wouldn;t surprise me if people are yanking in $100 for a Cartridge body minus Stylus.

On the other hand, my friend has lucked into many Shure Type III's, and IV's on mint Garage-Yard Sale Tables like Technics, Kenwoods, Pioneers for $15, and that's with the Shure Cartridge included.

I personally seen my one buddy once walk into a Thrift Shop, buy a shot turntable for $10, yank the Shure V-15 Type III off of it, and give them back the Table right then, and there.

There are good deals to be found if you're patient.
By replacing Stylus, and the Body is sound, you'll be up and running for many years to come at a relatively low cost for a fine Cartridge. My honest opinion about the V-15 Type III? If they made it today brand new, Shure would be charging $600 for it. And people would be buying it as well. Mark

@Markd51: thanks for clarifying. yeah, on that famous auction web doohickey, i'm finding no empty or worn cartridges - only ones that have already had a new stylus put in, a VN35? so i'd be paying close to $240 for something that is NOT a Jico SAS Stylus... any idea about the VN35? there seem to be standard ones and those with hyper-elliptical needles. are there advantages or disadvantages to HE vs non-HE? i was reading about the anti-skating settings on my unit and it seems that i have to take that sort of thing into account when calibrating everything.

would I be much worse off with, say, a Shure M97 XE? People do seem to like those, and they are at least newer and significantly less expensive. Just wondering if you've ever tried that model, and how it might compare to the older cartridges.

I appreciate your suggestions!

Hi,put a new denon in it.Or a $150-200 audio technia you should be all set.They is nothing wrong with these brands in the 150-200 range.Just don't buy the denon 103 you will need a step up transformer.GREAT cartridge though!!KP

@ Beragamo: thanks for the advice. which specific models would you recommend? i suppose i am looking for something with a recommended tracking force of 0.5-1.5g, 2g max.