SAS Cantilevers: Boron vs Sapphire vs Ruby

[Jim Creek]

Are their any opinions by experienced listeners on the various JICO SAS cantilever materials?

If you were to buy an JICO SAS stylus, would get the boron, ruby or sapphire cantilever?

 

[patient_ot]

I would get Boron because it is less expensive and less fragile than the others. The measurements I've seen of the other materials on the SAS show a more tipped up frequency response as well, likely from a cantilever resonance and/or a combination of that and different magnets used.

What cart will the Jico be for?

 

[Jim Creek]

I would get Boron because it is less expensive and less fragile than the others. The measurements I've seen of the other materials on the SAS show a more tipped up frequency response as well, likely from a cantilever resonance and/or a combination of that and different magnets used.

What cart will the Jico be for?

M97xe

 

[bobins08]

I love the boron SAS on my V15-III. I swear I read that several AK’ers did not experience a big improvement with ruby/sapphire and I think there is a thread on it.

 

[ghamilton]

The boron on my m97x is too bright. However the sas on the v15lll is just right.

 

[Vinylmasters]

I use a SAS on a Shure p-mount (same as the M97xE). Sounds incredible too. Positively Boron because of cost and strength, just as others have previously noted. I wouldn't even bother with the others truthfully.

 

[Legrace]

Have been a fan of ruby cantilevers for many years. So went with the SAS/R for my V15III. High end sounds very clear, classic ruby quality.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Definitely don’t go with zirconia

Have you used one? I have on a V15 III and it sounds outstanding. No complaints from me other than the cost.

 

[ripblade]

Another vote for boron here. Haven't heard the other Jico SAS versions but have other Ruby- Sapphire- corundum variants. The boron has a more natural tone, especially in the high treble where the corundum can sound edgy, IMO.

 

[Mr Boochie]

I love boron cantilever cartridges. Have a Soundsmith boron/NCL upgrade on a Denon DL-103R and stock boron/Shibata tip, AT 33Sa. Both have nice audio reproduction. Can listen to all types of music for hours.

 

[MRL_Audio]

Yes, I used it. I didn’t think it was very exciting and sounded a bit brittle. Probably, something is wrong with mine, but even when I told Jico what the problem was, they didn’t care. 10dB separation in the cartridge it was intended for can’t be what I would think is an acceptable result. The problem is I only just recently got the Fozgometer, so in the time since March when I bought it, I didn’t have any evidence that there might be a problem with it. But I contact them in September which was still less than six months from the purchase date and it has about an hour’s worth of use. But when they blew me off I certainly can’t recommend their customer service.

What stylus was it? Also surprised they didn’t reply. I have had nothing but great customer service the one time I had a quality issues with a SAS stylus replacement. They responded quickly and made it right.

 

[Balifly]

Are their any opinions by experienced listeners on the various JICO SAS cantilever materials?

If you were to buy an JICO SAS stylus, would get the boron, ruby or sapphire cantilever?

A ruby cantilever with SAS for my Shure M75 would be my second choice, since I already have a boron SAS for my Shure M91 cartridge.

First choice would be a Shibata on either ruby or sapphire cantilever for the Shure M75 cartridge.

 

[vintageadict]

I have the Boron SAS on a Shure V15 IV and it is my favorite cartridge. Highs are detailed, vocals are clean and Bass is full and not muddy. My wife can even tell the difference and my other cartridges sound very good. Have been curious about the ruby or sapphire. Seems that I made a good choice.

 

[marysdad]

I'm using a boron Jico SAS on my 97xE and really like it.

 

[bimasta]

On another audio site, Audiogon, a member did a really thorough study of the 3 cantilever types Jico offers. His methodology and reasoning were impeccable and I couldn't fault his conclusions... and some people think fault-finding is my purpose in life,

He heard no difference whatsoever. His audiophile friends heard no difference. His lab test-gear heard no difference.

So choosing one of the other is coin-toss, or an act of faith. So I'd choose on the basis of $, and if their SAS stylus came on a cheap aluminum cantilever, I get that one.

 

[mkane]

Can listen to all types of music for hours.

as you should be able to. I can listen for days and days

 

[cafe latte]

Have been a fan of ruby cantilevers for many years. So went with the SAS/R for my V15III. High end sounds very clear, classic ruby quality.

The most importance aspect of a cantilever is weight and of course stiffness. Ruby is MUCH heavier than boron, even heavier than a normal aluminium cantilever. Ruby stiffness is slightly better than boron but so similar as not to matter in this respect so taking everything into account the boron wins by a long way as the most ideal material.
Chris

 

[Ken Boyd]

I really like the Ruby F9 from Soundsmith, the choices were that or Aluminum, and I own AT carts with Boron and they sound great as well, so I guess the only way to know for sure is buy both and try them. You might not hear a difference.

I know the weight has always been the subject of optimal material for a cantilever, but I think why some other materials might have been chosen is resonate frequency concerns.

 

[mkane]

How many times can you bounce a ruby off a record before it breaks?

 

[bberkom]

I have the SAS for my V15 III in both ruby and boron. I prefer the boron slightly, but that might just be because I know it's cheaper. The difference is pretty minor either way.