Shure LTP-2 (New Stylus?) or P-Mount Recommendations

[SquarePusher]

Hey Guys!

I snagged a SL-D500 for a good deal and it came with this cartridge. Was wondering if it was worth replacing the stylus or going another direction? Appreciate your time!

 

[wualta]

As many will tell you, there are not many p-mount cartridges still in production, and it's not possible to adapt standard-mount cartridges to a p-mount turntable like the D500. To help other AKers help you, here's what the LTP-2 looks like. It was also available as a silver body with black lettering.

These were good cartridges, being essentially p-mount versions of the 1970s M95ED and M97ED (whose styli will fit and work to spec). The LTP body will accept a wide variety of Shure's best non-V15 styli (and even one from the final-gen V15, the V15VxMR), whether originally found on p-mount styli or not. Since Shure is out of the phono/turntable business, the good original styli have become expensive. I have Jico version of the N97LT stylus, the one with a Hyperelliptical diamond cut, and it's an excellent stylus, but might be out of your budget nowadays. Since you ask the izzitworthit question, help fellow AKers help you by telling them what your budget for the project is. Good luck!

 

[gadget73]

I think these had a few different model numbers. I had one that was an M92E, but there were a couple other model numbers in that series with the same generator and different grades of stylus. I found an NOS version of the N97LT somewhere for surprisingly cheap and it really did sound good. It ended up on a Pioneer that belongs to a friend. He needed a nail on a table he had been given, I couldn't find the Shure so I picked up one of the new, cheap AT carts that I had good luck with in the past. Either they went downhill or my ears got better but it sounded lousy. Found the Shure finally and it was a big improvement in sound.

Not sure how many new P mounts exist, but Audio Technica seems to have the market on them. Seems like multiple models with the same generator and maybe the stylus is different. I think Grado and Ortofon may also make a new P mount but not 100% on that.

So for my 2 cents I'd try and give the Shure a go.

 

[SquarePusher]

As many will tell you, there are not many p-mount cartridges still in production, and it's not possible to adapt standard-mount cartridges to a p-mount turntable like the D500. To help other AKers help you, here's what the LTP-2 looks like. It was also available as a silver body with black lettering.
View attachment 2066209 View attachment 2066210
These were good cartridges, being essentially p-mount versions of the 1970s M97ED (whose styli will fit and work to spec). The LTP body will accept a wide variety of Shure's best non-V15 styli (and even one from the final-gen V15, the V15VxMR), whether originally found on p-mount styli or not. Since Shure is out of the phono/turntable business, the good original styli have become expensive. I have Jico version of the N97LT stylus, the one with a Hyperelliptical diamond cut, and it's an excellent stylus, but might be out of your budget nowadays. Since you ask the izzitworthit question, help fellow AKers help you by telling them what your budget for the project is. Good luck!

Appreciate your wisdom, I’ll post a picture of what I have since I’m away from home. As far as my budget goes anything 80 and below I can do at the moment.

 

[Wolfie62]

Very similar to these Shure P-mounts.


I used an EVG Japan N97LT Stylus on them, an elliptical, and they sound very good. These are M95 clones, not M97 Era IV clones.

 

[oldman54]

There's one, 97lt, for cheap. It sounds good and tracks well at 1.5 grams. It doesn't say if it's even elliptical but it sounds very good. I just spent 3 hours with one and it tracked even an lp with a few scratches with no skips. Vmaudioenthusiasts also sells one that is elliptical for a reasonable price that I've also tried, evg I think. The cheap one, river.tone on fleabay, has telescoped cantilever and soldered tie wire. Made in Japan. Says it tracks at 1.25 but I haven't tried that yet. 13 bux free ship. I've bought a dozen stylus from him over the years and he promptly replaced the one broken one I received. VM is also good to deal with. I am just a customer. I don't know either guy.

 

[Wolfie62]

I have one of the N97LT styli from VOM. It’s a good stylus. 3x7 elliptical. EVG Japan, so it’s a Jico. No tie wire. I bought it for the V15-RS. Used it on the M97xE, M95, and all my Shure p-mounts.

 

[SquarePusher]

I have one of the N97LT styli from VOM. It’s a good stylus. 3x7 elliptical. EVG Japan, so it’s a Jico. No tie wire. I bought it for the V15-RS. Used it on the M97xE, M95, and all my Shure p-mounts.

The Stylus I have now looks just like this one in white. https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cat...Type=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Shure&Categories=.

can you point me to that stylus you’re referring to?

 

[Wolfie62]

4771-DLT:

https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cat...Type=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Shure&Categories=

 

[ChicagoTom]

Grado still makes excellent P-mounts. A modest Grado2 or Grado3 will run you $75 or less and are really very good. They have a warmer sound than the AT options at the same price point, which I find tiring to listen to after awhile.

FWIW, I've owned maybe 2 dozen P-mount carts over the years (Stanton, AT, Grado, Azden, Empire, Ortofon, Shure). I *do* like some of the more expensive vintage ATs, my favorite is the Audio Technica AT216EP, but they are very hard to find. At 1/3 of 1/2 the price of the AT216, the Grado Black is almost as enjoyable to listen.

 

[SquarePusher]

4771-DLT:

https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/cat...Type=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Shure&Categories=

Thank you! Any difference between a mil elliptical and nude one?

 

[revox-b77]

Any difference between a mil elliptical and nude one?

I would go with the nude one.

 

[Wolfie62]

Thank you! Any difference between a mil elliptical and nude one?

Yea. There’s kind of a major difference. Huge difference.

The N97EJ is actually an N97ED but Gary has chosen to give it a “J” designation. So it’s an N97ED(J). The grip is made for 1/2” mount carts. Not p-mounts. The tracking force required is 2.3 grams, hence Gary’s “J” designation. NOT even close to p-mount tracking range. But it is nude.

I’m not sure why you’re looking at it.

There’s a reason why I answered your question very directly as I did. With the proper part number.

The N97-LT is a p-mount Stylus. You said that’s what you were looking for. No? LT stands for “Linear Tracker”. T4P. P-mount. Tracks at 1.3 grams. I thought that’s what you were looking for.

3x7 mil elliptical just means it’s an elliptical that measures 3x7 mils. Nude means it’s a nude mounted 3x7 mil elliptical.

I thought you were looking for a good p-mount Stylus. Guess I misunderstood.

Not sure how how AT carts started getting compared to Grado carts either, in here. I thought the subject was Shure p-mounts. With a good stylus, the Shures trounce the Grados for nice sound without fatiguing the ears even after long listening sessions. They aren’t “bright”, but have nicely extended smooth treble and nice mid presence and bass heft without being wooly and loose.

N97-LT stylus on an M97 Era IV based p-mount:



N97ED(J) EVG Swiss nude stylus on the Shure M97 Era IV (RXT4 rebadge). Hardly a p-mount stylus. But a GREAT stylus for 1/2” mount Shure carts:

 

[SquarePusher]

Yea. There’s kind of a major difference. Huge difference.

The N97EJ is actually an N97ED but Gary has chosen to give it a “J” designation. So it’s an N97ED(J). The grip is made for 1/2” mount carts. Not p-mounts. The tracking force required is 2.3 grams, hence Gary’s “J” designation. NOT even close to p-mount tracking range. But it is nude.

I’m not sure why you’re looking at it.

There’s a reason why I answered your question very directly as I did. With the proper part number.

The N97-LT is a p-mount Stylus. You said that’s what you were looking for. No? LT stands for “Linear Tracker”. T4P. P-mount. Tracks at 1.3 grams. I thought that’s what you were looking for.

3x7 mil elliptical just means it’s an elliptical that measures 3x7 mils. Nude means it’s a nude mounted 3x7 mil elliptical.

I thought you were looking for a good p-mount Stylus. Guess I misunderstood.

Not sure how how AT carts started getting compared to Grado carts either, in here. I thought the subject was Shure p-mounts. With a good stylus, the Shures trounce the Grados for nice sound without fatiguing the ears even after long listening sessions. They aren’t “bright”, but have nicely extended smooth treble and nice mid presence and bass heft without being wooly and loose.

N97-LT stylus on an M97 Era IV based p-mount:
View attachment 2068463


N97ED(J) EVG Swiss nude stylus on the Shure M97 Era IV (RXT4 rebadge). Hardly a p-mount stylus. But a GREAT stylus for 1/2” mount Shure carts:
View attachment 2068464

I am I was just curious since I was saw multiple options and wasn’t sure. My Apologies as it’s my first time doing this and just wanted to make a wise choice. Thank you!

 

[Wolfie62]

Sorry! I got frustrated because I was trying NOT to confuse you with the other N97 listings.

That nude is a superb stylus for 1/2” mount Shure carts, especially for the money.

Edit: On my photo above, that Shure p-mount is a M95 based cart, NOT M97 Era IV. But still a very nice sounding cartridge.

 

[ChicagoTom]

Not sure how how AT carts started getting compared to Grado carts either, in here.
View attachment 2068464

Because the OP wrote: "wondering if it was worth replacing the stylus or going another direction?"

I presented another direction. THAT'S how.

 

[Wolfie62]

Because the OP wrote: "wondering if it was worth replacing the stylus or going another direction?"

I presented another direction. THAT'S how.

Valid point!

I got lost in the Shure “Matrix!”