Shure M95ED, M55E, M91ED, M97xE

[KostasP]

I had it for three weeks...

I don't remember if I read it here, a guy who ordered a 95EDM from the same seller in Argentina one of the two channels died in a couple weeks, that's the risk with NOS stuff.

Impatience is a dangerous thing. Remembering that the original M97xE stylus guard came off recently, I had an idea. It fits perfectly and sounds divine. Now, to be very careful. Very careful. View attachment 2491641

In case anyone is wondering, the top of the stylus guard wouldn’t quite fit under the plastic of the cartridge body.

So the 97 stylus fits the 95?

 

[Blackdog61]

I don't remember if I read it here, a guy who ordered a 95EDM from the same seller in Argentina one of the two channels died in a couple weeks, that's the risk with NOS stuff.


So the 97 stylus fits the 95?

If you remove the guard and brush; essentially ‘nude’ it. My pics might not be clear enough to see but I think when you see how it goes together you will understand.

 

[Blackdog61]

I tried to remove the brush and guard from the VL but they are actually glued. The glue on the stock stylus looks more like a dab of red nail polish put on after assembly. Since it came apart by accident it may be chalked up to poor quality control.

 

[Blackdog61]

I sold the turntable which had the SME 3009 arm and have been using my AR XA. It’s really a fantastic turntable after rewiring and replacing the arm pivots with sapphire, but this thread is about cartridges.
The M55E is happily pulling the music out of the grooves on the XA and I am very engaged in the process. Once aspect of the 55 that may not be obvious is the benefit of its high output (6.3mv) when using a tube preamp and tube phono stage. Other carts play with the volume knob between 9-10:00, but the 55 is never above 9:00. With my ear to the speaker, it’s silent.
It will either get a Vivid Line or SAS.

 

[Blackdog61]

Just began my relationship with the VividLine on the 55. My first impression is that the sound is very smooth and liquid. There is much more detail which makes the experience more like live music, but not in a hyped way. It’s very warm and weighty. The character of the cartridge and original stylus is still there, but much better.

 

[oscarinovp]

This one is making me consider cartridge swapping experiments. It remains to be seen if my V15 Type IV w/SAS will "settle down" as it currently sounds a bit bright. I have an M91 and and M55E, both of which could use new styli.

 

[SterlingOne]

This one is making me consider cartridge swapping experiments. It remains to be seen if my V15 Type IV w/SAS will "settle down" as it currently sounds a bit bright. I have an M91 and and M55E, both of which could use new styli.

Yeah, if you have the income to afford it, experimentation might reveal a cart you// prefer over others. I have 6 carts, coming to prefer a 40+ year old Shure V15 Type III, now running a Jico SAS-B stylus assembly. Critical thinking suggests I would now be smart to move on to some other interests, since it appears this cart is delivering the life like presentation I was seeking. At any rate, I also have a Shure V15V-MR, as well as a Shure V15V-MR with Jico SAS-B stylus assembly and neither of these carts at the moment is as appealing as the aforementioned V15 Type III/Jico SAS-B. Perhaps the compelling nature of this cart has something to do with audio system synergy but whatever the traits responsible for its appeal, I am thrilled to hear every breath and swallow in Diana Krall's vocals.

 

[HamboneF18]

I have the V15-IV with NOS original stylus. V15V with NOS original HE stylus, and V15V-MR with NOS original stylus, V15VxMR with NOS original stylus, M97HE with NOS original stylus. I also have the Jico VN5MRB and VN5XMRB.

My V15-III was sold a few years back. Sounded too much like an M95 for my tastes, which I kept.

I expected, and got, great performance from all these carts, and also with the Jico MRB styli.

But the combination that surprised me in a great way, is the M97-E4 with the Jico VN5xMR stylus. The M97-E4 doesn’t have the rolled off treble of the M95, and yet the Jico stylus doesn’t bright on it. Very detailed and non-fatiguing. Very natural timbre with extended and airy treble. Lots of that Shure mids treatment. On my best orchestral recordings, it separates massed strings and instruments readily, and crescendos are reproduced with power and articulation. More finesse than the original HE stylus.

 

[Severius!]

The M97-E4 doesn’t have the rolled off treble of the M95,

What in the world's a M97-E4?

I've got two M97HE carts, but I've never heard of an E4.

 

[LP-THORN]

Era IV ? ( M97HE , M97ED ...... )

 

[HamboneF18]

M97-Era IV, M97-Era 4, M97-E4, M97E4.

 

[HamboneF18]

Not in this thread. Out collecting errors, are we?

 

[HamboneF18]

Duplicate.