Question regarding a Shure V15 type III

[DBGLOBAL]

I am using a Pioneer PL-550 from 1976 which has been semi-upgraded.

It has a low mass tonearm with a 6lb diecast platter; the table itself weighs over 30lbs.

The upgrades include, all new Cardas 33ga golden arm strand tonearm wiring, new ofc copper headshell lead wires with 24carat gold platted terminals, Nasotec swing headshell, with a Shure V15 type III cartridge and a new Jico Neo SAS stylus. The original rca cables have been replaced with 1 meter interlink 400 MKII cables as well as sound deading applied to all the critical areas of the table for added resonance control.

My system includes a Yamaha A-S2200 amplifier, Moon 110lp phono amp, sweetvinyl SC-1 mini cube, with Rogers LS3/5a speakers.

My question is considering the age of the PL-550 and the age of the Shure V15 type III, would a new cartridge such as a Ortofon Black 2M LVB250 or a Clearaudio Maestro v2 make a significant improvement to the Shure in terms of SQ considering the costs of about $1k for the new cartridges?

 

[cafe latte]

I am using a Pioneer PL-550 from 1976 which has been semi-upgraded.

It has a low mass tonearm with a 6lb diecast platter; the table itself weighs over 30lbs.

The upgrades include, all new Cardas 33ga golden arm strand tonearm wiring, new ofc copper headshell lead wires with 24carat gold platted terminals, Nasotec swing headshell, with a Shure V15 type III cartridge and a new Jico Neo SAS stylus. The original rca cables have been replaced with 1 meter interlink 400 MKII cables as well as sound deading applied to all the critical areas of the table for added resonance control.

My system includes a Yamaha A-S2200 amplifier, Moon 110lp phono amp, sweetvinyl SC-1 mini cube, with Rogers LS3/5a speakers.

My question is considering the age of the PL-550 and the age of the Shure V15 type III, would a new cartridge such as a Ortofon Black 2M LVB250 or a Clearaudio Maestro v2 make a significant improvement to the Shure in terms of SQ considering the costs of about $1k for the new cartridges?

The V15 type 3 often have hardened suspensions which can be treated and to some extent fixed. The black is a great cart, but retipping a bronze with a boron cantilever you can get a LVB 250 much cheaper. Another budget way to get a tip end Ortofon MM is get an OM 5 or 10 and retip it with boron and a nude Micro ridge and you get someting that is up there with the LVB 250 but much cheaper.
Chris

 

[mcgjohn]

I am using a Pioneer PL-550 from 1976 which has been semi-upgraded.

It has a low mass tonearm with a 6lb diecast platter; the table itself weighs over 30lbs.

The upgrades include, all new Cardas 33ga golden arm strand tonearm wiring, new ofc copper headshell lead wires with 24carat gold platted terminals, Nasotec swing headshell, with a Shure V15 type III cartridge and a new Jico Neo SAS stylus. The original rca cables have been replaced with 1 meter interlink 400 MKII cables as well as sound deading applied to all the critical areas of the table for added resonance control.

My system includes a Yamaha A-S2200 amplifier, Moon 110lp phono amp, sweetvinyl SC-1 mini cube, with Rogers LS3/5a speakers.

My question is considering the age of the PL-550 and the age of the Shure V15 type III, would a new cartridge such as a Ortofon Black 2M LVB250 or a Clearaudio Maestro v2 make a significant improvement to the Shure in terms of SQ considering the costs of about $1k for the new cartridges?

before you try new carts, you may want to consider moving the table out of the cabinet and on another wall that is not between the two speakers. Half of the vinyl game is controlling resonance and reflected sound. If you can damp the chassis of the Pioneer table that may help as well. Same with damping the platter.
Duckmall offers a brass platter mat for around 80 USD. you can damp the resonance of the alum platter by placing the brass on top of the aluminum and adding your regular rubber mat on top of the brass. you will need to raise the arm height a bit to do this. Do not remember if the Pioneer table had adjustable arm height or not.

 

[Doug G.]

You should get an applicable Shure test record and see if the V15 Type III still passes the tests.

Doug

 

[malden]

The upgrades include, all new Cardas 33ga golden arm strand tonearm wiring, new ofc copper headshell lead wires with 24carat gold platted terminals, Nasotec swing headshell, with a Shure V15 type III cartridge and a new Jico Neo SAS stylus. The original rca cables have been replaced with 1 meter interlink 400 MKII cables as well as sound deading applied to all the critical areas of the table for added resonance control.

My question is considering the age of the PL-550 and the age of the Shure V15 type III, would a new cartridge such as a Ortofon Black 2M LVB250 or a Clearaudio Maestro v2 make a significant improvement to the Shure in terms of SQ considering the costs of about $1k for the new cartridges?

That would be an interesting comparison.

I use a V15 III with both original Shure VN35E and JICO VN35HE, I have never been disappointed with either stylus. I've read good things about the Ortofon Black and would consider it if JICO ever stopped manufacturing high quality styli for classic cartridges like the V15 III

Long Live JICO......

JICO

JICO

www.jico-stylus.com

 

[maxhifi]

If that were my system, I would definitely want to replace the Shure, and both of the cartridges you mention are good. Also consider a Nagaoka or perhaps a Hana high output moving coil in that price range. Of course, don't do it until the SAS stylus is due for replacement.

 

[flavio81]

I am using a Pioneer PL-550 from 1976 which has been semi-upgraded.

It has a low mass tonearm with a 6lb diecast platter; the table itself weighs over 30lbs.

The upgrades include, all new Cardas 33ga golden arm strand tonearm wiring, new ofc copper headshell lead wires with 24carat gold platted terminals, Nasotec swing headshell, with a Shure V15 type III cartridge and a new Jico Neo SAS stylus. The original rca cables have been replaced with 1 meter interlink 400 MKII cables as well as sound deading applied to all the critical areas of the table for added resonance control.

My system includes a Yamaha A-S2200 amplifier, Moon 110lp phono amp, sweetvinyl SC-1 mini cube, with Rogers LS3/5a speakers.

My question is considering the age of the PL-550 and the age of the Shure V15 type III, would a new cartridge such as a Ortofon Black 2M LVB250 or a Clearaudio Maestro v2 make a significant improvement to the Shure in terms of SQ considering the costs of about $1k for the new cartridges?

If your budget is of $1K for a cartridge, i'd rather go for a good MC cartridge like the AT-OC9XML