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A-T vs. Pickering vs. Shure

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ElJeffe

New Member
Hoping this thread isn't too off-topic for the "turntable" section...

I am looking at some cartridges for my Technics SL-QD33. The main ones are an NOS Shure M111-HE, a Pickering XSP-4004 with OG Stereohedron stylus (very little talked-about cart), an Audio-Technica AT231LP with OG line contact stylus (also not very common), and an NOS Audio-Technica AT8008.

I'm mainly asking for anyone's opinion on how these carts compare, and what to expect in terms of SQ. I've only heard good things about Shure. I'm curious how the Pickering compares, tonally. A-Ts are generally considered brighter-sounding, so I'm mainly curious how the two models I listed compare to each other. Lastly, which do you all think would be the best bet for my TT? I run it into the phono stage of a NAD 3155 through a pair of ELAC B6.2 bookshelves. For reference, my current cartridge is an AT-92E with a nude elliptical stylus. I've posted about my trials with that cart elsewhere.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
 
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The Shure M111HE is a great cart, depending on stylus. This has the generator from the M97 Era IV, and mine has the beryllium cantilever and nude HE stylus.

The 8008 is “ok”. It’s a 2-coil ubiquitous wedge, using a bonded LC stylus. Sold under countless names and still available; same as the 331LP, and same generator as the 100x, 3003, and about identical to the AT91. The 231LP is better than the 8008 IMO and has upgrade options for styli. But neither has the lively, full sound I like.

The Pickering is very good.
 
HamboneF18 said:
The Shure M111HE is a great cart, depending on stylus. This has the generator from the M97 Era IV, and mine has the beryllium cantilever and nude HE stylus.

The 8008 is “ok”. It’s a 2-coil ubiquitous wedge, using a bonded LC stylus. Sold under countless names and still available; same as the 331LP, and same generator as the 100x, 3003, and about identical to the AT91. The 231LP is better than the 8008 IMO and has upgrade options for styli. But neither has the lively, full sound I like.

The Pickering is very good.
Click to expand...
Sounds like it's between the Shure and Pickering in your estimation. Which would you choose? I might add that my 'table is only adjustable from 1 to 1.5 grams VTF. This means that with stylus brush engaged on the Shure, I could get at maximum 1 gram of tracking force. Should this be a concern when choosing between the two carts?

Thanks again.
 
The M111HE is a T4P cartridge, so if you have an original stylus you’ll be fine at 0.75-1.0 tip force, 1.25-1.50 grams total force.
 
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