malden
Addicted Member
Oh, and that's just the styli. What of the different technologies that went into the cantilevers? And the suspensions? How close to original is Jico with these factors? (This is a Jico thread so sticking with them). I mean the cantilevers of some classic cartridges were/are sights to behold.
I have several original Shure N91ED styli. These were Made In USA, have thin cantilevers and "nude" diamond elliptical tips. I also have several later production Shure N91ED's that were made in Mexico. These have thicker cantilevers and "bonded" elliptical tips. I have had these for many years and occasionally compare the two types in the various turntables I've restored. I can hear absolutely no difference between them. Both types sound excellent and track very well.
I also have N91ED's by EVG, Pfanstiehl, and of course JICO. Of those three, the JICO is the only one that is indistinguishable in terms of sound quality from the original Shure. Not surprisingly, the JICO is built like the original, similar suspension system and magnets. The others have fewer components in their suspensions and smaller magnets. As @needlestein pointed out several posts ago, the polishing of the diamond tip also plays an important role in the sound of a stylus.
Good design and careful manufacturing is much more important than minute differences in cantilever material or shape of diamond tip.