ripblade
Addicted Member
I call that antique...
JICO revives the Shure classic M44
- Thread starter johnjhazel
- Start date
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
I call that antique...
I'm even older !!
Starting to kick myself for not picking up an M44 when they were going for about $50 or so back in 2016/2017. Would've made a great investment!
johnjhazel
PhxJohn
My favorite audio dealer had a box of used Shure cartridges. For me, anything less than a V15 was free. V15 III or V15 IV was $20. The owner retired and closed the business before I got around to getting the Shure cartridges. If one does not have his/her heart set on a M44/M55 or V15's there are still some great prices on many of the other models.
beat_truck
Addicted Member
I like the M44 better than my other Shure cartridges, which are a Realistic branded M75ED with EVG stylus, a Designer Series with OEM HE stylus, a M92E, and another P mount I forget at the moment. They don't actually do anything wrong, but just sound boring to me. I like the big, bold sound of the M44 better. Probably why I like Pickering / Stanton. Even my lowly AT CN5625AL has a very similar tonal quality to the Designer Series but is more dynamic and pleasing to me.
Love JICO stylus' - would like to hear someones take on this new cart. My first Shure was a recent ebay purchase of a V15 Type IV - which ended up broken on a channel - fortunately the seller had a second one to give me that worked. That plus the JICO SAS (Sapphire) - awesome!
I went ahead and pulled the trigger on a Garrard Model 50 changer.
Why???!
Well, it’s what my father owned, bought new in 1964. Sentimental value.
It’s a pull-out from an old console. Nice and clean.
All the records I inherited from my folks (4,000) were played on this model table. It didn’t damage any of them! No groove damage at all.
With John Hazel’s help, I was able to get some history on this table. It was the budget Garrard table offered in the Garrard Lab 80 line of 4 tables.
You just HAVE TO love the fine cast aluminum tone arm!!
As it turns out, this table has its original cartridge and stylus!
An M44C! My second White mount M44C. Stylus removed and packed separately. So this makes 2 identical headshells and carts. It’ll need a wood base.
Why???!
Well, it’s what my father owned, bought new in 1964. Sentimental value.
It’s a pull-out from an old console. Nice and clean.
All the records I inherited from my folks (4,000) were played on this model table. It didn’t damage any of them! No groove damage at all.
With John Hazel’s help, I was able to get some history on this table. It was the budget Garrard table offered in the Garrard Lab 80 line of 4 tables.
You just HAVE TO love the fine cast aluminum tone arm!!
As it turns out, this table has its original cartridge and stylus!
An M44C! My second White mount M44C. Stylus removed and packed separately. So this makes 2 identical headshells and carts. It’ll need a wood base.
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ripblade
Addicted Member
I've never heard the M44 - I'm wondering if it has an "old fashioned" sound to it - My guess will be the JICO will sound great - but like any other great cartridge. Just a guess - I say that because I bought the V15 IV expecting an old fashioned or distinct sound (my first Shure) - but with the JICO stylus - it just sounds like a regular but very very good cartridge.
beat_truck
Addicted Member
I like the M44, but I would never pay a bunch of money for one or a clone of one either. Especially considering I can get an AT3600L for like $13.
I don't know exactly what makes the M44 so great for DJing, but let the DJs and folks that do the scratching BS pay the big bucks for them.
I don't know exactly what makes the M44 so great for DJing, but let the DJs and folks that do the scratching BS pay the big bucks for them.
The M44 can be bass heavy, higher output with a DJ stylus.
Stock, with the EVG Swiss Stylus, for instance, it’s a very pleasant cartridge. Warm, but not too warm. Lots of mid and vocal presence. Decent high end. The same sound many fans of the M97xE enjoy. Many of the same qualities of the Stanton 500/Pickering V15. The treble is more extended than the Stanton 500. Not at all harsh.
The big difference with the M44 is the flat, horizontal mount of the cartridge. To get the 15-20 degree VTA, all of the VTA is built into the stylus. An N75 Stylus will work, if you shim (drastically) the cartridge nose down.
It’s an M91/75 generator, after all.
It sounds very good with the Swiss nude N55E Stylus. I prefer it over the Stanton 500 with the Swiss nude stylus.
Stock, with the EVG Swiss Stylus, for instance, it’s a very pleasant cartridge. Warm, but not too warm. Lots of mid and vocal presence. Decent high end. The same sound many fans of the M97xE enjoy. Many of the same qualities of the Stanton 500/Pickering V15. The treble is more extended than the Stanton 500. Not at all harsh.
The big difference with the M44 is the flat, horizontal mount of the cartridge. To get the 15-20 degree VTA, all of the VTA is built into the stylus. An N75 Stylus will work, if you shim (drastically) the cartridge nose down.
It’s an M91/75 generator, after all.
It sounds very good with the Swiss nude N55E Stylus. I prefer it over the Stanton 500 with the Swiss nude stylus.
ripblade
Addicted Member
Who would pay $300 for the genuine article? There are few current models and more than a few vintage ones that outperform it for less money than that.
beat_truck
Addicted Member
Having a look at the recently sold listings on Ebay, there are several people that have actually done it.
Studio_D
Active Member
I was looking at this article which shows a difference in output specs, but on second glace I see there's no difference in load or inductance so you're probably right.
https://www.hifishark.com/article/jico-remaking-shure-m44-phono-cartridge
https://www.hifishark.com/article/jico-remaking-shure-m44-phono-cartridge
