M97HE Era IV Dynamic Stabilizer

[boreas]

I just picked up a dead Technics SL-Q2 (transformer, I think) with a Shure M97HE Era IV installed. I haven't tried it out yet but I did look at the diamond. It appears to have very little wear but, honestly, it doesn't look terribly well made. Oh, well! Well see what it sounds like.

Anyway, to the question. Is Shure's recommendation for using the brush to add 0.5g to the VTF, just as it is on the new xE? I'm assuming it is but I just wanted go check first.

Thanks,
John

 

[NoClue48]

Yes, all Shure dynamic stabilizers require 0.5 gram allowance if they are deployed in the down position. The installation paperwork for the M97HE Era IV can be found at the Vinyl Engine site...

 

[boreas]

Yes, all Shure dynamic stabilizers require 0.5 gram allowance if they are deployed in the down position. The installation paperwork for the M97HE Era IV can be found at the Vinyl Engine site...

Thanks, that's what I thought. I looked for that information on VE before posting but didn't see it. I found brochures and catalogs but no OM type stuff. Suppose I ought to look again.


John

 

[NoClue48]

You might look on the Shure web site:

http://www.shure.com/americas/support/user-guides/discontinued-products/phono/index.htm

Good luck and, if you can't find it, let me know and I'll e-mail you the .pdf file I have...

 

[boreas]

You might look on the Shure web site:

http://www.shure.com/americas/support/user-guides/discontinued-products/phono/index.htm

Yup! Thanks!

John

 

[NoClue48]

Happy to help...

I have a M97AH-HE (the one with the integrated head shell) that I purchased in the late 70s and it's always been a favorite; when I'm not using the V15 IV .

I also just purchased an M97HE with an N97EJ and am looking forward to hearing that.

Enjoy one of the more underrated Shures around...

 

[boreas]

Running it on a Technics SL-1600 MK2, brush down and 1.75g. VTF. Listening to a 180g DMM copy of Mingus Ah Um.

It sounds very good!

John

 

[Van_Isle]

I've got that same cartridge that came installed on my JVC QL-A7. One of my favourites - although I think the only (i.e. worthy of your $) replacement stylii available now are JICO.

edit ... actually there's a NOS Shure on 'that auction site' right now .... $250.

 

[boreas]

I've got that same cartridge that came installed on my JVC QL-A7. One of my favourites - although I think the only (i.e. worthy of your $) replacement stylii available now are JICO.

Adelcom shows stock on NOS styli, I think for around $200 so a little more than an SAS. Not sure which would be the better route.

John

 

[Balifly]

May I join the club too ?

My is the Realistic RXT-4 with a HE stylus originally.

It came on my inexpensive Technics SL-1700.

 

[boreas]

May I join the club too ?

My is the Realistic RXT-4 with a HE stylus originally.

It came on my inexpensive Technics SL-1700.

Of course! The more the merrier! I even have an original RXT4 box!

John

 

[Eli47]

Many in the old days used to take the brush right off.., "sounds better" or maybe just too lazy to clean the little brush.

 

[boreas]

Many in the old days used to take the brush right off.., "sounds better" or maybe just too lazy to clean the little brush.

I don't actually think you can do that on these Shures. Are you thinking of Stantons and Pickerings?

John

 

[NoClue48]

I've got that same cartridge that came installed on my JVC QL-A7. One of my favourites - although I think the only (i.e. worthy of your $) replacement stylii available now are JICO.

edit ... actually there's a NOS Shure on 'that auction site' right now .... $250.

I'm inclined to agree with you re: the Jico SAS stylus. My M97AH-HE is still running the original stylus and sounds very good. When it finally gives up the ghost, I'll be ordering a Jico.

With the M97 with an N97EJ stylus in the pipeline, I'm anticipating giving it a listening to and then deciding what to do. I will most likely purchase a Jico for it as well.

I'm suspicious of NOS styli at any price... one never knows how they've been stored; which Shure acknowledges can effect the performance.

 

[boreas]

I'm suspicious of NOS styli at any price... one never knows how they've been stored; which Shure acknowledges can effect the performance.

That's certainly a valid consideration but I've had uniformly good luck so far with the fairly short list of NOS styli I've purchased and am hitting better than 300 with respect to used original styli in terms of having significant usable life left in the tip and also having usably compliant suspension.

It's definitely a craps shoot but, depending on the price and on the available options, it can be a roll worth rolling.

John

 

[beej]

I've got an M97HE with an Ed Saunders replacement on it now. Thus far, sounds better each time I play it. That said, I'd be very interested in any and all feedback with respect to the various replacement styli available.

 

[NoClue48]

... am hitting better than 300 with respect to used original styli in terms of having significant usable life left in the tip and also having usably compliant suspension.

It's definitely a craps shoot but, depending on the price and on the available options, it can be a roll worth rolling.

John

That's a good average, congratulations!

I purchased my V15 Type IV at auction and was very pleasantly surprised by the condition of the stylus as well. In fact, the whole cartridge assembly, while not in original packaging, looked hardly used and a friend was amazed at the physical condition. I should add that it sounds quite wonderful...

That said however, I'm usually after the cartridge as I can always purchase a Jico for any questionable styli.

But you are quite correct in it being a craps shoot.

 

[Vintageman1]

This may sound like a dumb question but I've always wanted to ask it. When adding the .5 grams, do you do that with the stylus guard/brush locked in the up position? For example, if I wanted the tracking force to be 1.25 grams, do I lock the brush in the up position, adjust to 1.75 grams and then just release the brush to it's normal playing position?

 

[boreas]

I purchased my V15 Type IV at auction and was very pleasantly surprised by the condition of the stylus as well. In fact, the whole cartridge assembly, while not in original packaging, looked hardly used and a friend was amazed at the physical condition. I should add that it sounds quite wonderful...

I'll bet it does! Sadly, the only Type IV I've found had no stylus at all and a dead left channel.:tears:

That said however, I'm usually after the cartridge as I can always purchase a Jico for any questionable styli.

I always approach it that way and (usually) pay accordingly, never assuming that the stylus will be usable. Fortunately, I've often been pleasantly surprised. This M97HE is the most recent example. Another recent one was an M95ED with what looked like an unused stylus fitted in it. Sounded like it too.

But you are quite correct in it being a craps shoot.

Indeed!

John

 

[boreas]

This may sound like a dumb question but I've always wanted to ask it. When adding the .5 grams, do you do that with the stylus guard/brush locked in the up position? For example, if I wanted the tracking force to be 1.25 grams, do I lock the brush in the up position, adjust to 1.75 grams and then just release the brush to it's normal playing position?

I always do, assuming that's the way it'll get used, but I have no idea whether it's necessary. I'll bet it doesn't.

...... so I decided to check. I just re-verified my VTF of 1.75 g. with the brush down, raised the brush and checked again. Still 1.75g.

John