Shure V15 Cartridges In A Nutshell

[drummergrl]

I need a stylus replacement for a Type II on a Dual 1019. When I google Shure VN15 stylus VN15E is what shows up for sale. Is this what I want? Can anyone make suggestions for other good styli they have used in this set-up? Thanks.

 

[malden]

As far as I know, there were only 2 styli available for V15 type ll, VN15E and VN7 (conical), so yes, VN15E is the correct stylus.

A good choice for your turntable would be this one...

http://www.jico-stylus.com/product_info.php?products_id=1041

SAS is available for the V15 type ll but I don't think it's a good match for your tone-arm...

 

[ETI_5000]

The Type II I have has the laminated core. Something changed somewhere.

Can you can see the laminations down the stylus hole? I know at least one owner had said that their Type II Improved had laminations, but checks a few months ago by some other owners couldn't see them under strong illumination, so we decided that if any did, they must have been the exception - possibly a trial run by Shure.

You can tell which version of the Type II you have by looking at the body - the original is matt silver with no vertical ribs (apart from the screw slots), while the II Improved has 6 vertical ribs down the sides, and is a shiny silver.

 

[malden]

I have 2 examples of the "improved" version that fit your description. Neither have laminated cores. GeoKost must have a rare beast...

 

[drummergrl]

As far as I know, there were only 2 styli available for V15 type ll, VN15E and VN7 (conical), so yes, VN15E is the correct stylus.

A good choice for your turntable would be this one...

http://www.jico-stylus.com/product_info.php?products_id=1041

SAS is available for the V15 type ll but I don't think it's a good match for your tone-arm...

Same as this one? http://www.ebay.com/itm/131438868011?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

 

[malden]

Definitely NOT the same...it will work and it may sound fine but you get what you pay for...

 

[drummergrl]

Definitely NOT the same..

Could you elaborate a little please? The ebay seller is listing a stylus made by Jico and it looks identical to me. Thanks.

 

[ETI_5000]

As far as I know, there were only 2 styli available for V15 type ll, VN15E and VN7 (conical), so yes, VN15E is the correct stylus.

It also shared the N75-3 stylus for 78rpm (also used for the M71/M73/M75-series cartridges), according to the user guide.

 

[drummergrl]

I think this thread says they are the same. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=604819

I am confused and want to make a good choice.

 

[malden]

Could you elaborate a little please? The ebay seller is listing a stylus made by Jico and it looks identical to me. Thanks.

Side by side comparison shows that the JICO version I linked has all of the components as the original Shure stylus, the sound is also very close with a bit more forwardness.

The lower cost styli available on ebay and elsewhere do not have the same components as the original Shure. If those lower cost styli are indeed made by JICO, then they are cheaply made to meet a price point. There is a lot of interest in these low-cost styli so from a business standpoint, it would make sense to capture that share of the market.

 

[malden]

I think this thread says they are the same. http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=604819

I am confused and want to make a good choice.

That thread is hardly conclusive. The only way to know for sure is to buy several styli (in my case, numerous) and compare them for yourself...

 

[drummergrl]

That thread is hardly conclusive. The only way to know for sure is to buy several styli (in my case, numerous) and compare them for yourself...

I thought that thread was conclusive that the stylus is made in Japan by Jico but there was no follow up as to how anyone liked it or not.

True, the only way to see which I preferred would be to buy them both but if you have already done side by side comparisons I am fine taking your word. Just to be 100% clear are you saying you have tried that lesser expensive Jico one listed on ebay?

 

[SA-708]

V15 T4P (p-mount) cartridges

V15 LT is the T4P adaptation of the V15 type IV.
Due to a key-hole arrangement on the front of the cartridge, only the native stylus will fit without modifications.
Native stylus is the VN45LT
http://cdn.shure.com/user_guide/upload/1811/us_pro_v15_lt_ug.pdf

V15 V-P is the T4P adaptation of the V15 type V.
There is no key-hole on the front of the cartridge, and other styli that would fit the standard mount type V should fit this cartridge.
Native stylus is the VN5P

V15 HR-P was the last T4P model, probably an adaptation of the V15 type Vx as it has the wide stylus shank.
Native stylus is the VNHR-P

 

[malden]

I thought that thread was conclusive that the stylus is made in Japan by Jico but there was no follow up as to how anyone liked it or not.

True, the only way to see which I preferred would be to buy them both but if you have already done side by side comparisons I am fine taking your word. Just to be 100% clear are you saying you have tried that lesser expensive Jico one listed on ebay?

Yes I have

 

[drummergrl]

Yes I have

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

 

[Montycat]

Malden, this is a good write-up. I uploaded this Shure guide to the database a few months ago which should help with at least some potential questions.

http://akdatabase.com/AKview/albums/userpics/10007/Shure Stylus Replacement Guide.pdf

 

[malden]

V15 LT is the T4P adaptation of the V15 type IV.
Due to a key-hole arrangement on the front of the cartridge, only the native stylus will fit without modifications.
Native stylus is the VN45LT
http://cdn.shure.com/user_guide/upload/1811/us_pro_v15_lt_ug.pdf

V15 V-P is the T4P adaptation of the V15 type V.
There is no key-hole on the front of the cartridge, and other styli that would fit the standard mount type V should fit this cartridge.
Native stylus is the VN5P

V15 HR-P was the last T4P model, probably an adaptation of the V15 type Vx as it has the wide stylus shank.
Native stylus is the VNHR-P

Thanks for the p-mount info...

 

[malden]

Malden, this is a good write-up. I uploaded this Shure guide to the database a few months ago which should help with at least some potential questions.

http://akdatabase.com/AKview/albums/userpics/10007/Shure Stylus Replacement Guide.pdf

thanks for the stylus guide, I hadn't seen that one before...:thmbsp:

 

[Montycat]

thanks for the stylus guide, I hadn't seen that one before...:thmbsp:

You are welcome. A friend gave it to me and I scanned it at work. :yes:

 

[GeoKost]

The improved had the laminated cores also. Did the regular type II have laminated cores?

No, the type II improved didn't, and was like the first type II prob. just a selected m75 with good coil balance.

The Type II I have has the laminated core. Something changed somewhere.

George.

Can you can see the laminations down the stylus hole? I know at least one owner had said that their Type II Improved had laminations, but checks a few months ago by some other owners couldn't see them under strong illumination, so we decided that if any did, they must have been the exception - possibly a trial run by Shure.

You can tell which version of the Type II you have by looking at the body - the original is matt silver with no vertical ribs (apart from the screw slots), while the II Improved has 6 vertical ribs down the sides, and is a shiny silver.

I have 2 examples of the "improved" version that fit your description. Neither have laminated cores. GeoKost must have a rare beast...

Ok, I have to admit I was wrong. I went to get my macro out, I'll be, it looks just like the inside of my m91ed.

I do have the type II improved, as it has the vertical ribs and is shiny silver.

Sorry for the confusion. I will have to correct my post.

George.