Shure M97xE stylus

welcomdmat

welcomdmat

Super Member
I took the plunge and traded for a Jico SAS stylus for my Shure M97xE. I was bouncing between the original stylus and the LP Gear VL stylus.

I should explain a bit of my listening. I mainly listen to early electronic music (William Basinski, Neu, Harmonia, some Brian Eno). I would consider a lot of this in line with classical music. I have found that I prefer acoustic suspension speakers over any ported/ bass reflex speakers. I am not looking for bass over mid-range.

I have found the SAS stylus for the M97xE to be a step in the right direction. I was lucky enough to get this stylus brand new in a trade. That being as it is, I have no real investment in it.

I am listening to DJ Shadow's Entroducing. It is really a pleasure.

With the discontinuing of the Shure M97xE, I am glad to have two original stylus, one LP Gear VL, and this Jico SAS. Having the chance to move between all of them, I believe the SAS is best for my listening.

If there were differences, the SAS seems to keep tempo better than the others. Strings are where they should be, and the drums compliment the sound.
 
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One question. It is recommended that the tracking force be around 1.25. Is that with our without the brush down? My understand has always been that the brush down adds .5 to the tracking force. Is that the case with the SAS stylus?
 
welcomdmat said:
One question. It is recommended that the tracking force be around 1.25. Is that with our without the brush down? My understand has always been that the brush down adds .5 to the tracking force. Is that the case with the SAS stylus?
Click to expand...
I can't answer your question with respect to the SAS stylus, but on the original stylus putting the brush down subtracts .5 gram from the tracking force. This is because the weight of the brush is now supported by the record and not contributing to the tracking force, so to maintain 1.25 grams of downforce, you need to set the arm to 1.75 grams.
 
Jico styli dampers have been said to work better with half the weight applied to an original Shure damper. Something to do with the "dampening power" of the grease (or is it oil??) they use in the dampers hinges. I have the VN45 SAS and it works great at 1.5 grams.
 
welcomdmat said:
I took the plunge and traded for a Jico SAS stylus for my Shure M97xE. I was bouncing between the original stylus and the LP Gear VL stylus.

I should explain a bit of my listening. I mainly listen to early electronic music (William Basinski, Neu, Harmonia, some Brian Eno). I would consider a lot of this in line with classical music. I have found that I prefer acoustic suspension speakers over any ported/ bass reflex speakers. I am not looking for bass over mid-range.

I have found the SAS stylus for the M97xE to be a step in the right direction. I was lucky enough to get this stylus brand new in a trade. That being as it is, I have no real investment in it.

I am listening to DJ Shadow's Entroducing. It is really a pleasure.

With the discontinuing of the Shure M97xE, I am glad to have two original stylus, one LP Gear VL, and this Jico SAS. Having the chance to move between all of them, I believe the SAS is best for my listening.

If there were differences, the SAS seems to keep tempo better than the others. Strings are where they should be, and the drums compliment the sound.
Click to expand...

I just starting playing my V15-III after giving it a rest for about 6 months. First with the stock VN35E, than after about a week I installed the original boron Jico SAS.

I think the SAS is more refined, producing more details with a bigger soundstage that is more 3D. The bass is better too. I do think the SAS midrange is less prominant that the stock Shure. To some people that is a less desirable trait.

I enjoy both, for my tastes I give the edge to the SAS.
 
Just out of curiousity,I checked out some material by William Basinski to see what you were listening to. You may like these guys,check them out just for fun:

 
arts said:
Just out of curiousity,I checked out some material by William Basinski to see what you were listening to. You may like these guys
Click to expand...

I will have to buy a proper copy of this.

I was actually just listening to Explosions in the Sky when I saw this. I would bet that they enjoy each other's music.
 
welcomdmat said:
I took the plunge and traded for a Jico SAS stylus for my Shure M97xE. I was bouncing between the original stylus and the LP Gear VL stylus.

I should explain a bit of my listening. I mainly listen to early electronic music (William Basinski, Neu, Harmonia, some Brian Eno). I would consider a lot of this in line with classical music. I have found that I prefer acoustic suspension speakers over any ported/ bass reflex speakers. I am not looking for bass over mid-range.

I have found the SAS stylus for the M97xE to be a step in the right direction. I was lucky enough to get this stylus brand new in a trade. That being as it is, I have no real investment in it.

I am listening to DJ Shadow's Entroducing. It is really a pleasure.

With the discontinuing of the Shure M97xE, I am glad to have two original stylus, one LP Gear VL, and this Jico SAS. Having the chance to move between all of them, I believe the SAS is best for my listening.

If there were differences, the SAS seems to keep tempo better than the others. Strings are where they should be, and the drums compliment the sound.
Click to expand...


Hi,
own exactly the same cartridge and later installed the jico needle. All mounted on a Thorens TD 160MkII.

The jico needle is a bit lighter than Shure, so when changing the needle a new adjustment is necessary.
I recommend the antiskating adjusted to zero ! Check it out. I found no difference if adjustet to other values but had mounted before a -van den Hul- System which also had an extreme small needle in.
Mr. van den Hul told, that the only effect by raising the antiskating for his needles means reducing lifetime.

Good luck
Juergen
 
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