malden
Addicted Member
The V15 Type 1 was top of the line for Shure during the early to mid 1960's and was concurrent with the M55E as well as several variations of the M44. It has a beautifully machined aluminum housing reminiscent of the mid-century modern era that it was offered in. The original stylus for the V15 type 1, the VN2E had a stylus grip that would only fit the aluminum body of the V15 type 1, it would not fit the M55 or M44 bodies. Whereas the N55 and N44 styli would fit the V15 type 1 body.
However beautifully designed the V15 type 1 is, I never warmed up to the sound of it. It is a very musical cartridge but there was always a trace of distortion that bothered me. The problem I found is that the V15 type 1 tracks between .75 and 1.5 grams which is too compliant for the heavy aluminum housing. Substituting the VN2E for the N44E, ,3 x ,7 mil elliptical that tracks between 1,5 and 4 grams, greatly improved the sound of the V15 type 1. It was mounted in my Thorens TD 160 with original tonearm.
Jico currently offers a replacement stylus for the V15 type 1, the VN2E. Although it may have the same specs as the original, it simply looks like a black version of the N55E, and at twice the cost.
It seems to me that the VN2E that Jico offers would be greatly improved if:
1) it had the same style grip as the original VN2E, and
2) had a slightly stiffer suspension to cope with the massive aluminum housing.
JICO VN2E
http://www.jico-stylus.com/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=1043
JICO N55E
http://www.jico-stylus.com/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=1014
However beautifully designed the V15 type 1 is, I never warmed up to the sound of it. It is a very musical cartridge but there was always a trace of distortion that bothered me. The problem I found is that the V15 type 1 tracks between .75 and 1.5 grams which is too compliant for the heavy aluminum housing. Substituting the VN2E for the N44E, ,3 x ,7 mil elliptical that tracks between 1,5 and 4 grams, greatly improved the sound of the V15 type 1. It was mounted in my Thorens TD 160 with original tonearm.
Jico currently offers a replacement stylus for the V15 type 1, the VN2E. Although it may have the same specs as the original, it simply looks like a black version of the N55E, and at twice the cost.
It seems to me that the VN2E that Jico offers would be greatly improved if:
1) it had the same style grip as the original VN2E, and
2) had a slightly stiffer suspension to cope with the massive aluminum housing.
JICO VN2E
http://www.jico-stylus.com/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=1043
JICO N55E
http://www.jico-stylus.com/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=1014
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