Shure M31E vs. M75ED/M91ED

[MCM_Fan]

I have a chance to pick up a Shure M31E that is in need of a replacement stylus. It just so happens that Gary at The Voice of Music has NOS N31E replacement stylii (0.2 x 0.7 mil elliptical with a recommended tracking force of 1 - 2g) in stock at a reasonable price.

I have read that the M31E is very similar to the M55E (and it's sibling the M32E is very similar to the M44E). However, I have never heard an M55E (or even the more common M44E)

So, for those who have heard an M31E, or an M55E, how does the sound compare to the more common Shure M75ED/M91ED? I have multiple M75/M91/M93 variants with a number of different stylii. So, I am familiar with their sound.

By the time I pay for the cart and get a replacement stylus, I'll have as much possibly more, into it than my typical M75/M91 cart/stylus combinations. Will the M31E with a NOS Shure stylus sound significantly different (although not necessarily better) than an M75ED or an M91ED with a NOS Shure, or new JICO replacement stylus? If so, in what way?

I really like my vintage Shure cartridges, but I'm starting to accumulate quite a collection and wonder if I should start trying other things (like a new Nagaoka MP-110) for a little more variety. Granted, I've paid less for my vintage Shure carts, but by the time you get a NOS Shure or new JICO stylus, the price difference isn't all that much (but still cheaper) than a brand new MP-110.

I have a number of turntables available (Dual, Elac, Realistic/CEC and MCS/Technics). So, don't worry about the M31E not being a good match for my table. I'll pick the table that best matches the compliance of the cartridge/stylus.

 

[bang4buck]

As it happens, I recently got one of those, dirt cheap in a mixed eBay lot. The stylus was mangled by the time I received it, but it didn't matter, as the tip was horribly worn anyway. I got one of those styli from Gary and was quite pleased with the sound. My sample is ever so slightly out of vertical azimuth. I'm sure Gary would take it back but I decided to live with it.

I do have an M75 and original N75-6 and N12 styli for it, but oddly enough, the Nottingham tonearm I'm using these days agrees with neither. From memory, and for the brief times I did run them, the sound is indeed very similar.

The M31 went into the drawer for now as I was really after the other cart in that lot, an Empire 888SE. Long-term I want to make a wooden body and take the M31 out of its restrictive shell (which is the only difference versus the 44/55) so I can try a Jico stylus, as they don't offer one in the M31 grip. Caught some flak on here for that, like it was a sacrilege or something There is a long thread over on The Art of Sound on the M55E, from back when Gary had remaining stock of those, worth a read.

Collector silliness aside, the availability of those NOS styli from TVOM is really what makes this cart interesting. You seem to be covered as far as M75 styli go though.

 

[TnSquatch]

Hello MCM_Fan~
I realize this is a post from last year, but i'm just seeing it.
I've had nearly 3 weeks to listen to the N31e stylus that you helped me locate, from Gary @ VOM.
I could not be happier with it. Terrific frequently range, separation & killer output. I've played probably close to fifty Lp's spanning prog, classic r&r, blues & jazz....it reproduces them all extremely well.
Thank you once again for your help.

 

[MCM_Fan]

Hello MCM_Fan~
I realize this is a post from last year, but i'm just seeing it.
I've had nearly 3 weeks to listen to the N31e stylus that you helped me locate, from Gary @ VOM.
I could not be happier with it. Terrific frequently range, separation & killer output. I've played probably close to fifty Lp's spanning prog, classic r&r, blues & jazz....it reproduces them all extremely well.
Thank you once again for your help.

Glad you're enjoying it. It really is a fun cartridge. These M31E/M32E/M73PE/RS120E/RS220E cartridges with the NOS Made in the US N31E stylus from The Voice of Music really have to be just the best buy in vintage cartridges. Certainly the most fun you can have for the money.

Since that original post, I have become quite a fan. I started out with an M32E I got locally, added a NOS stylus of eBay (8 bucks delivered):

And have since added a NOS M31E, complete with NOS stylus:

And a NOS M73PE with NOS N31E stylus from TVOM:

I've accumulated a life time supply of carts and styli:

 

[TnSquatch]

Wow! You'll never wear all those styli out !
I really like metal stylus guard that you made....how did you do that?
Thanks for all the photos !
Bryan~

 

[MCM_Fan]

Wow! You'll never wear all those styli out !
I really like metal stylus guard that you made....how did you do that?
Thanks for all the photos !
Bryan~

The stylus guard came with the cartridge. It's 100% original, a truly NOS cartridge. The Pacific M73PE was also NOS, never even mounted. Came in the original packaging with the unopened little bag of mounting hardware. That was cartridge only, so no stylus guard with that one.

 

[oldman54]

Q: is the n31 angled like a m44 or m75/91? I've seen nos n31 but I wasn't sure, looks like it would fit either one. I have both, m44s and m75s so I wondered. I guess I should buy one and see for myself.

 

[KentTeffeteller]

The M31/M32 were economy cartridges in their era. Limited stylus options. Basically similar performing to the M44/M55 line. The M 44 replaced them as economy cartridges later on, the M 75 is the most versatile of the Shure MM line as it can handle many different stylus options.

 

[Pio1980]

The M31/M32 were economy cartridges in their era. Limited stylus options. Basically similar performing to the M44/M55 line. The M 44 replaced them as economy cartridges later on, the M 75 is the most versatile of the Shure MM line as it can handle many different stylus options.

The EZ-mount M75 and M95 can take either carts stylii, and afaik, several others.

 

[jobrewer1983]

Glad you're enjoying it. It really is a fun cartridge. These M31E/M32E/M73PE/RS120E/RS220E cartridges with the NOS Made in the US N31E stylus from The Voice of Music really have to be just the best buy in vintage cartridges. Certainly the most fun you can have for the money.

Since that original post, I have become quite a fan. I started out with an M32E I got locally, added a NOS stylus of eBay (8 bucks delivered):

And have since added a NOS M31E, complete with NOS stylus:

And a NOS M73PE with NOS N31E stylus from TVOM:

I've accumulated a life time supply of carts and styli:

great pix, and that is one hell of a head shell!

 

[sberger]

Just picked up an OEM 32E(31E also available) from Voice Of Music. For folks that don't own the proper cartridge for these, they also fit perfectly and sound great in the M97 cartridge(and perhaps others that I'm not aware of).

 

[dankwijoti]

Just picked up an OEM 32E(31E also available) from Voice Of Music. For folks that don't own the proper cartridge for these, they also fit perfectly and sound great in the M97 cartridge(and perhaps others that I'm not aware of).

Yeah, they fit. But the curved cantilever on the N32E stylus means that your diamond is tilted waaaay too far forward. The M32E, like the M31E, M44, M55, does not have an angle mounted body like the M97, 95, 91 etc. It will make decent sound, but it is not a perfect fit, and the stylus will not last being run like this.

Sincerely,
The guy who bought Gary's last N31E to run on an M95 body based on sberger's post.

PS: It's all good, I've rounded up an M31E body now.

 

[Caryw]

Branded as an AV300e . I also have the stylus from Gary waiting in the wings I believe this white is a conical but I can’t find any listing

 

[sberger]

Yeah, they fit. But the curved cantilever on the N32E stylus means that your diamond is tilted waaaay too far forward. The M32E, like the M31E, M44, M55, does not have an angle mounted body like the M97, 95, 91 etc. It will make decent sound, but it is not a perfect fit, and the stylus will not last being run like this.

Sincerely,
The guy who bought Gary's last N31E to run on an M95 body based on sberger's post.

PS: It's all good, I've rounded up an M31E body now.

I said that it fit perfectly on my M97 based on personal experience. I never claimed it would fit on any other cartridge and certainly not a 95 which is completely different than the 97.

 

[dankwijoti]

I said that it fit perfectly on my M97 based on personal experience. I never claimed it would fit on any other cartridge and certainly not a 95 which is completely different than the 97.

Yes, the stylus mounts perfectly into the M97 generator, and I'm glad you're happy with it, but unless you decoupled the generator from the from the mounting body and shimmed it to be parallel to the top of the body, it is not running the way it should.

The M44/55 and M31E/32 run at a 15° rake angle, which created by the curved cantilever. The M75/91/95/97 run at a 20° rake angle, created by the generator being mounted at an angle in mounting body. An M32 stylus mounted in an M97 cartridge is running at a 35° rake angle.

I ain't mad atcha. Just pointing out that they shouldn't be considered a drop in replacement.

 

[sberger]

Yes, the stylus mounts perfectly into the M97 generator, and I'm glad you're happy with it, but unless you decoupled the generator from the from the mounting body and shimmed it to be parallel to the top of the body, it is not running the way it should.

The M44/55 and M31E/32 run at a 15° rake angle, which created by the curved cantilever. The M75/91/95/97 run at a 20° rake angle, created by the generator being mounted at an angle in mounting body. An M32 stylus mounted in an M97 cartridge is running at a 35° rake angle.

I ain't mad atcha. Just pointing out that they shouldn't be considered a drop in replacement.

Got it. Thanks.

 

[malden]

Branded as an AV300e . I also have the stylus from Gary waiting in the wings I believe this white is a conical but I can’t find any listing

It's not white, it's pale yellow

and it is elliptical, not conical

 

[malden]

Yeah, they fit. But the curved cantilever on the N32E stylus means that your diamond is tilted waaaay too far forward. The M32E, like the M31E, M44, M55, does not have an angle mounted body like the M97, 95, 91 etc. It will make decent sound, but it is not a perfect fit, and the stylus will not last being run like this.

that is correct, the M31/32 body is a completely different design from the M95/97, styli are NOT interchangeable

Sincerely,
The guy who bought Gary's last N31E to run on an M95 body based on sberger's post.

I seem to recall going back and forth with him on this topic, not sure if he ever understood the difference

 

[Govany]

Anybody know if a n92e will work in a m95..asking before I trim the grip

 

[malden]

Anybody know if a n92e will work in a m95..asking before I trim the grip

same family so it will "work"