Just got a Vivid Line for my Shure M44MG

[ejman]

My wife bought me a Vivid Line stylus for my Shure M44MG cartridge for father's day (nice lady) and it just came in. First impressions being what they are I'm impressed by how quiet in the groove this stylus is. In fact first record I tried (CTI Summer Jazz at the Hollywood bowl) I put the stylus in the groove and I was wondering what was wrong because I couldn't hear any sound at all - did I get a bad stylus?- Then the music started out of absolute silence. Pretty neat.

 

[Wolfie62]

The VL are good styli. My only quibble with them is that they are bonded, not nude. There is a certain amount of muting of detail because of that.

I really enjoy the N55E Swiss nude elliptical for my M44 carts. Very quiet in the groove, also. But loads more detail than the VL. About 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the VL, too.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Nice pickup @ejman and a special wife that hooked you up. Keep in mind you get what you pay for. I am sure this will just get better as it breaks in.

 

[knotscott]

I put a Vivid Line on an AT3600L and its really quite a nice cartridge. Well behaved, good detail, very pleasant overall. No spit or sibilance, doesn't screech. It's really good. I agree with Wolfie62 about the bonded shank vs nude. My nude VM95SH shibata is better, but not by a lot and it costs twice as much.

 

[ejman]

The VL are good styli. My only quibble with them is that they are bonded, not nude. There is a certain amount of muting of detail because of that.

I really enjoy the N55E Swiss nude elliptical for my M44 carts. Very quiet in the groove, also. But loads more detail than the VL. About 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the VL, too.

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I have used 3 stylus in the cartridge before. The original Shure N44G, an EVG cartridge ( not sure if that is the same as what you show in the picture) and a Jico conical stylus. They all sound good to me but the Vivid line is exceptional in my system. The cartridge is mounted on a Decca International unipivot tonearm on a Lenco L75.

 

[stereofisher]

The VL are good styli. My only quibble with them is that they are bonded, not nude. There is a certain amount of muting of detail because of that.

I really enjoy the N55E Swiss nude elliptical for my M44 carts. Very quiet in the groove, also. But loads more detail than the VL. About 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the VL, too.

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Use this combo on one of my Dual 1219s. Good results!

Eric

 

[Wolfie62]

I have used 3 stylus in the cartridge before. The original Shure N44G, an EVG cartridge ( not sure if that is the same as what you show in the picture) and a Jico conical stylus. They all sound good to me but the Vivid line is exceptional in my system. The cartridge is mounted on a Decca International unipivot tonearm on a Lenco L75.View attachment 2262679 View attachment 2262680 View attachment 2262681

That EVG is the bonded version.

And unlike what MRL_audio stated, no, you don’t always get what you pay for. Unfortunate, but true. It’s when you get far more than what you pay for, that it becomes special.

 

[illini]

Congratulations on keeping and enjoying that Shure cartridge.

 

[Mr Boochie]

Nice pickup @ejman and a special wife that hooked you up. Keep in mind you get what you pay for. I am sure this will just get better as it breaks in.

This doesn't apply to the little lady, too?

 

[jmchrislip]

I really like Vivid Line styli. They are always my first choice. Good quality and excellent performance. Enjoy yours!