Genuine Shure M104E stylus or Aftermarket?

[bigPoe]

Hello all,

My M104E stylus recently got damaged in a move (the arm became dislodged and swung around) and I've been looking for a replacement. It seems I cannot find a genuine replacement anywhere and anything online looks too cheap to be a decent-quality, diamond-tip stylus.

https://www.dacapoaudio.com/1866-Shure-N-104-E-styli.html
The JICO isn't a possibility for me as I live in the US and the others were wrong or seemed too cheap

N104E LP Gear stylus for Shure HA95E cartridge

Check out the deal on N104E LP Gear stylus for Shure HA95E cartridge at LP Gear

www.lpgear.com

This one seemed decent but I'm still weary of the quality of the stylus

I'm unfamiliar with vintage turntable knowledge and price ranges, more the audio engineering side, and not stylus build quality.

Any advice or recommendations? Thanks!

 

[CrSens]

You can still find originals at the main auction site, but as part of a NOS cartridge deals. Radio Shack RXT-5, 6, etc.. Many of these styli will fit. If you are particular about that Shure sound (finesse and balance in midrange), no aftermarkets will replace it, especially inexpensive ones. I tried (even JICO's) and gave up, only NOS remain as option for me.

 

[bigPoe]

You can still find originals at the main auction site, but as part of a NOS cartridge deals. Radio Shack RXT-5, 6, etc.. Many of these styli will fit. If you are particular about that Shure sound (finesse and balance in midrange), no aftermarkets will replace it, especially inexpensive ones. I tried (even JICO's) and gave up, only NOS remain as option for me.

Could you refer me to the main auction site? Thanks. (Also have no idea what NOS cartridge deals are haha...)

 

[CrSens]

Could you refer me to the main auction site? Thanks. (Also have no idea what NOS cartridge deals are haha...)

ebay........
user witsolutions usually has several cartridges in good condition, RXT5 and 6 (N111HE) and RXT4 (N97HE).

 

[bigPoe]

ebay........

lol, thought you meant THIS website had its own action site

 

[CrSens]

lol, thought you meant THIS website had its own action site

for some reason people are hesitant to mention e..y here, don't know why, is there a ban of some sort,

 

[HamboneF18]

ebay........
user witsolutions usually has several cartridges in good condition, RXT5 and 6 (N111HE) and RXT4 (N97HE).

The RXT5 is a p-mount version of the M97 Era IV. The RXT6 is NOT an M111HE; the M110 and M111 are also M97 Era IV generators. The RXT6 is the same as the RXP3 and M104. The RXT6 is the same generator as the later M97xE (which is why the M97xE was SO cheap originally at $70. Many later Shures used the rolled-off treble generator that was basically “surplused” into the 1997 M97xE.)

A superb stylus for all of these (M104, RXT6, RXP3) is the Jico-made N97LT stylus. $30 shipped. Tracks perfectly at 1.25 grams.

4771-DLT, $25. EVG Japan is from when EVG had a contract with Jico for styli.

Product Detail

 

[bigPoe]

The RXT5 is a p-mount version of the M97 Era IV. The RXT6 is NOT an M111HE; the M110 and M111 are also M97 Era IV generators. The RXT6 is the same as the RXP3 and M104. The RXT6 is the same generator as the later M97xE (which is why the M97xE was SO cheap originally at $70. Many later Shures used the rolled-off treble generator that was basically “surplused” into the 1997 M97xE.)

A superb stylus for all of these (M104, RXT6, RXP3) is the Jico-made N97LT stylus. $30 shipped. Tracks perfectly at 1.25 grams.

4771-DLT, $25. EVG Japan is from when EVG had a contract with Jico for styli.

Product Detail

So you're saying don't waste $70 on an OEM 104e and just get a Jico for the same performance?

 

[bigPoe]

The RXT5 is a p-mount version of the M97 Era IV. The RXT6 is NOT an M111HE; the M110 and M111 are also M97 Era IV generators. The RXT6 is the same as the RXP3 and M104. The RXT6 is the same generator as the later M97xE (which is why the M97xE was SO cheap originally at $70. Many later Shures used the rolled-off treble generator that was basically “surplused” into the 1997 M97xE.)

A superb stylus for all of these (M104, RXT6, RXP3) is the Jico-made N97LT stylus. $30 shipped. Tracks perfectly at 1.25 grams.

4771-DLT, $25. EVG Japan is from when EVG had a contract with Jico for styli.

Product Detail

Will the N97LT even seat on the HA95e?

 

[CrSens]

So you're saying don't waste $70 on an OEM 104e and just get a Jico for the same performance?

If you think $70 for an original Shure is a waste, by all means go for a $30 Jico. "Same performance" could mean different things for different people.

 

[HamboneF18]

K

So you're saying don't waste $70 on an OEM 104e and just get a Jico for the same performance?

Yes. An original 104E stylus is not exactly a great stylus to begin with. It’s the same stylus as used on the RXP3, of which I have 2, 1 NOS and one lightly used. Nothing to write home about. The N97LT is a better sounding stylus, made for a better sounding cartridge. The N97LT stylus is an upgrade.

 

[malden]

@bigPoe , there are a few stylus options for your Shure M104E cartridge depending on the quality of your turntable/tonearm. Which turntable are you using?

 

[malden]

So you're saying don't waste $70 on an OEM 104e and just get a Jico for the same performance?

That depends. There are some who claim that any stylus "Made In Japan" is a JICO. There are EVG needles for under $30 that apparently come from Japan (JICO? Tonar?), these are very common on ebay. They are not of the same quality as a genuine Shure stylus or a JICO stylus sold by JICO

 

[HamboneF18]

The EVG Japan stylus is made by Jico, to the same standards as a Jico from Japan, because a Jico stylus is made by Jico. Back about 7 years ago, EVG had a contract with Jico to supply its styli. Only a few are still in stock by VOM; I cleaned up back then and bought Jico styli for my Shures (M97HE, V15-IV, and p-mounts, ADC XLM, 220XE, 10E MKIV, Pickering/Stanton XV15 and 681EEE, and others). Since then, around 2018, Jico terminated its contract with EVG. VOM is one of very few suppliers that still has stock of the Jico N97LT (N97DLT) styli. If memory serves, the M104E/RXP3 is a bonded 2x7 elliptical. The N97LT is a bonded 3x7 elliptical.

I can say this: The Jico N97LT is a superior stylus to the original Shure N104E/RXP3/RXT6 stylus. That’s because Jico made it the Shure standards of the N97LT stylus, a better stylus for a superior cartridge to the M104E. The M97LT cartridge was a very good cartridge, with the M111HE and M110HE.


Here you can see that the M104 is the same as the RXP3:




The HA95E is the same as both the RXP3 and RXT6, just a different stylus.







The N97LT has a low profile grip, and so fits most all Shure p-mounts:

 

[malden]

Here is the lowest grade replacement for your cartridge. If you go cheap, buy from VOM because if there is a problem, Gary will take it back. Most ebay sellers will give you a hard time....

Product Detail

Personally, I wouldn't trust my records to either of these cheapies....

 

[malden]

Here is a very high quality replacement for your cartridge, not cheap but if you value your record collection, it's worth it....

N-92E NUDE

#n92e #N92E #n 92 e

www.jico-stylus.com

 

[malden]

Here are a couple of N104E, both Made in Japan. One is $36.00 (Tonar) the other $55.00 (JICO).

I wonder what the actual differences are...

N104E Stylus for Shure M104E | DaCapo Audio

Get Your N104E Stylus for Shure M104E from Denmark's International Turntable Specialist. Browse Our Full Range of Top-Quality Shure Replacement Needles that will Renew the Performance of Your Shure Phono Cartridge

www.dacapoaudio.com

 

[malden]

Taking a look at ebay for N104E, I only see the lowest grade needles available yet prices are all over the place. Best to stay away from from them.

 

[malden]

Here's another N104E, note the Brand ( Normarh, Pfanstiehl, Shure ), it's anybodies guess....

https://myneedlestore.com/produit/shure-n-104-e-n104e-replacement-stylus/

 

[malden]

Another made in Japan, this time the brand is BLISS...

N104E type Stylus for Shure M104E - our # 776-DEX

www.turntableneedles.com