Got one of the last Jico SAS for the Shure M95ED, got it mounted & did a short comparo. Played just one song from a used but not abused original BS&T LP. My observations;
Ortofon Black with OEM stylus - The best of the 3 as it should be. Air around the instruments. Background strings clean/ no mud. Brass very crisp, almost too bright but that could be my room which has some ugly HF reflections.
Shure M95ED w/ New (not broken in) Jico SAS - awful close to the Ortofon. Not super bright like my M97x/ SAS can be. Nice clarity & instruments are distinct. If anything, a little weak in the mids but that may correct with break in. Clearly a keeper.
Stanton 681EEE w/Phansteil 4822-DEE - more laid back, slightly veiled compared to the other 2. A touch muddy. Stronger in the mids, plenty of detail, strong & clear mid/ upper bass. Lowest bass maybe a bit recessed. This is staying on one of my decks because it is perfect for less than critical listening. Maybe "a little soft" is a good thing.
All of these had good HF response (cymbols, for example), did a nice job with the brass, voice was natural. All picked up old record crackles (this LP recently Spincleaned & vacuumed) especially between tracks.
I'm curious to see how the M95ED develops as it breaks in. Fun stuff.
Ortofon Black with OEM stylus - The best of the 3 as it should be. Air around the instruments. Background strings clean/ no mud. Brass very crisp, almost too bright but that could be my room which has some ugly HF reflections.
Shure M95ED w/ New (not broken in) Jico SAS - awful close to the Ortofon. Not super bright like my M97x/ SAS can be. Nice clarity & instruments are distinct. If anything, a little weak in the mids but that may correct with break in. Clearly a keeper.
Stanton 681EEE w/Phansteil 4822-DEE - more laid back, slightly veiled compared to the other 2. A touch muddy. Stronger in the mids, plenty of detail, strong & clear mid/ upper bass. Lowest bass maybe a bit recessed. This is staying on one of my decks because it is perfect for less than critical listening. Maybe "a little soft" is a good thing.
All of these had good HF response (cymbols, for example), did a nice job with the brass, voice was natural. All picked up old record crackles (this LP recently Spincleaned & vacuumed) especially between tracks.
I'm curious to see how the M95ED develops as it breaks in. Fun stuff.