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Jico SAS vs Standard Stylus

Red Stick

Red Stick

Well-Known Member
I have a Shure M97 Cartridge with an N97HE Era IV stylus that needs to be replaced, but I am looking for some input on the stylus.

I've read a lot of praise on the JICO SAS stylus for the V15, and I am curious as the quality of the rest of their line. They have a N97HE for slightly more than an LPGear version ($58 vs. $45), and LPGear also has a JICO SAS for $115. From what I have read, it sounds like the SAS version is worth it, but how does their standard stylus compare to the LPGear version?

Thanks
 
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Red Stick: I wish I knew the answer, but I don't -- I'll be interested to see what others say who've actually experienced the SAS stylus. I see that SAS is also producing its own cartridge now. Maybe that's an alternative for you.
 
Hi,

The Jico SAS is a line-contact stylus. The plainer Jico is elliptical or hyper-elliptical. There's your difference. The Jico styli are very excellent.
 
Red Stick said:
I did find another thread along this same line of questioning

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1436690#post1436690

It sounds like the SAS might be "To Good" for some records as far as the quality of the vinyl is concerned. :scratch2:

One stylus I forgot in the original post was a Shure N97HE for around $70. After reading the other thread, I am thinking the Shure might be the best way to go.
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Hello Red Stick, (Dang, my 1,000th Post!)
I'm sorry I cannot contribute much in the way of the evaluation of what Stylus' work best in the M-97, and would probably trust other's findings, such as Hakaplan's-JazzWolf's who have hands-on experience with this particular Cartridge.

As for the SAS being "too good", I'm not actually so sure that these smaller Line Contact Stylus' are a detriment to better sound, even with less than stellar thrift shop finds.

Most usually note, particularly on very expensive Cartridges that possess these state of the art Styli, a considerable improvement of lowered groove noise, and the little pops, and clicks placed further in the background, being much less objectionable.

I've noticed this, with the Shure V-15 Type III with Jico SAS, and especially with my ZYX Airy 3X Cartridge which seems to possess a similar shaped Styli. Mark
 
Red Stick said:
I have a Shure M97 Cartridge with an N97HE Era IV stylus that needs to be replaced, but I am looking for some input on the stylus.

I've read a lot of praise on the JICO SAS stylus for the V15, and I am curious as the quality of the rest of their line. They have a N97HE for slightly more than an LPGear version ($58 vs. $45), and LPGear also has a JICO SAS for $115. From what I have read, it sounds like the SAS version is worth it, but how does their standard stylus compare to the LPGear version?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I bought the Jico N97HE stylus from LPgear, it's the same stylus that jico sells for less. I assume it's because they buy it in bulk. I had contacted LPGear and was advised that it is the same stylus. I think it's excellent and sounds exactly like the original, the difference is in the stabilizer brush. As Hakaplan pointed out you need to track a 1/2 gram less if you want to use the brush. For example on the original stylus if you wanted to track at 1.25 with the brush down you would set the tracking at 1.75 and the brush would absorb 1/2 gram. On the Jico stylus if you wanted to track at 1.25 with the brush down then you would need to set the tracking at 1.50 and the brush would absorb 1/4 gram. If you want to get an original N97HE stylus then you could purchase it from this link:garage-a-records
I have never tried the SAS stylus so unfortunately I can't comment on it but I am sure it is an excellent stylus.
 
I just received my SAS stylus for my V15 III HE. I can say that it's very different from the generic stylus I had before. The SAS is close to the AT boron stylus, it's very small and delicate (low moving mass?).

My tonearm wires are bitchy and works been kicking my ass, when I have some extra energy, I'll fix the wires and report back!
 
I'll tell ya, before you plop the $100+ down for the SAS...I used the N97HE SAS stylus on an M97 as well as a VN35HE SAS on the V15 Type III and unless your records are really TOP SHLEF condition, consider the HE replacement. I found that with the SAS, really good condition vinyl sounded really good...but older worn vinyl sounded REALLY BAD! With the HE stylus, it was far more forgiving and seemed to get along with ALL conditions of vinyl...but it's up to you.

Joey
 
I don't much care for the M97 sound with stock eX stylus. I do like the M75, M91 and v-15 all with after market stylus. It's just me, but I would not put too much into an M97. I'd get a good utility grade after market stylus and save the high dollar purchases for the M91 and v-15 in either HE (which I have) or SAS if your LPs are in good shape :)
 
BrocLuno said:
I don't much care for the M97 sound with stock eX stylus. I do like the M75, M91 and v-15 all with after market stylus. It's just me, but I would not put too much into an M97. I'd get a good utility grade after market stylus and save the high dollar purchases for the M91 and v-15 in either HE (which I have) or SAS if your LPs are in good shape :)
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There are a couple of M97. The most recent being the M97XE and the previous M97 was the M97HE. There is a world of difference and sound between the 2 cartridges. The M97HE with HE or ED stylus blows away the current M97. I have them both and while the M97HE is currently in rotation and getting a lot of use the M97XE is in a drawer and probably won't see the light of day for some time. Each time I start using it I get completely bored with the sound and the way it makes some records sound lifeless and just plain flat. The sad thing is that I have 2 of them with one still new in box. I bought it when I thought there was going to be a shortage of them and just wanted the stylus. :sigh:
 
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