Shure V15 Type iii Replacement Stylus (+ Pioneer PL-7)

camus

camus

New Member
Hi all,

I just bought a Pioneer PL-7 and it came with a Shure V15 Type iii Cartridge, sans stylus. Wondering what AK thinks regarding getting a replacement stylus? I've done some research and it seems like the top recommendation for this is the JICO SAS, however after doing some reading it seems like this may be very sensitive to records that are not in perfect shape. I also found this VN35 Series replacement needle by JICO for a bit less money with good reviews.

I think I am leaning toward the VN35 Series JICO, but am curious if there is anything a bit cheaper that you'd recommend? I've also seen the Grado Green, M97xE, and Orotofon OMB10 are well regarded and are a bit more affordable, wondering if maybe selling the Shure V15 Type III and getting a whole new cartridge would make any sense? I listen to mostly rock and jazz.

Thank you for any info!!
 
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Having owned V-15 III's, the thing that made them was the stock styli. It amuses me to see people use aftermarket styli and insist that they're still using Shure V-15 III carts. I think "dream on" and chuckle to myself. I use an M97xE for archiving purposes, and like it just as much as I liked my V-15 III. I can still switch to aftermarket styli if I want to, but I don't see the point of doing so.
 
btw, that PL-7 tone-arm likes a high compliance cartridge, so the Shure V15 lll should be an excellent match.

I'm assuming you have the later version of the PL-7


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Poinzy said:
Having owned V-15 III's, the thing that made them was the stock styli. It amuses me to see people use aftermarket styli and insist that they're still using Shure V-15 III carts. I think "dream on" and chuckle to myself. I use an M97xE for archiving purposes, and like it just as much as I liked my V-15 III. I can still switch to aftermarket styli if I want to, but I don't see the point of doing so.
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You may be amused and chuckling but the Jico SAS sounds quite excellent on the V15-III no matter if it is like the original or not.

I have 2 Shure VN35E’s, they are original and one is hardly played. I have compared them to the original boron SAS. The sound is close but clearly different, the SAS does some things better (such as upper frequency details) to my ears but the original has a fuller and more driving sound and more midrange presence. Both sound good.

I would not hesitate to by a basic elliptical or HE Jico stylus for the V15-III. You may not get the exact Shure sound from 1975 but you will be close and get good quality.

I also have the $20 Japanese made EVG and it is quite decent for the money but not as good as the others mentioned.

I also have the M97xE with stock stylus and I don’t think it compares favorably to the V15-III at all. I may have a poor quality Mexican Shure stylus as they had known QC problems. The aftermarket LPGear Vivid Line sounds much better to me. The line contact stylus presents a better soundstage, a more liquid upper register with no high end roll off, while maintaining the nice bass and midrange of the original.

In summary, some aftermarket styli are good even if not exact to the original.
 
I have a V15 type 3 on my Garrard Zero 100. Came with a junk Zero I got for its wood base. Hated my first V15 on a Dual 1229 years ago. Thought I would give it a try with a EVG from Gary at Voiceofmusicenthusiest. Paid around $20 for it. It really sounds good. Slightly better than my Shure M91ED on a Dual 1219 sitting next to it in my shop. I would try an EVG first and see how you like the Shure. That Pioneer won't let you down. Always like their stuff. That arm can handle a lot of carts.
 
Thank you everyone for all the good info! After reading this thread I decided to order an EVG from a vendor on ebay and see how I like the sound. Seemed like it was getting a lot of praise vs the Jicos and was so cheap I may as well give it a shot.
 
camus said:
Thank you everyone for all the good info! After reading this thread I decided to order an EVG from a vendor on ebay and see how I like the sound. Seemed like it was getting a lot of praise vs the Jicos and was so cheap I may as well give it a shot.
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There's a lot of misinformation in that thread. For anyone interested in restoring the sound of a V15 cartridge to what the designers intended, the standard JICO VN35E or VN35HE is the way to go. Neither the SAS or the EVG achieve this.
 
malden said:
There's a lot of misinformation in that thread. For anyone interested in restoring the sound of a V15 cartridge to what the designers intended, the standard JICO VN35E or VN35HE is the way to go. Neither the SAS or the EVG achieve this.
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Strongly agree. The JICO hyperellipticals are especially nice, and retain the sound characterisitcs of the V15 quite well. Their HE for the Shure M9 is also wonderful. The M91 was always a good sounding cart to my ears, and the HE vs standard elliptical makes it even better.
 
malden said:
There's a lot of misinformation in that thread. For anyone interested in restoring the sound of a V15 cartridge to what the designers intended, the standard JICO VN35E or VN35HE is the way to go. Neither the SAS or the EVG achieve this.
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Good to know. I am happy with EVG. Bought it to try the V15. It was a bonus on a Zero 100 parts unit. Now that I know it’s a keeper I am going to get a Jico for it and one for my Duals Shure M91ED while shopping.
 
Malden, I'm looking on Jico's site and only see an VN35 and a VN35HE. Is the VN35 the same/similar to the VN35E? Do you all buy your Jico styli straight from their site?
 
camus said:
Malden, I'm looking on Jico's site and only see an VN35 and a VN35HE. Is the VN35 the same/similar to the VN35E? Do you all buy your Jico styli straight from their site?
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JICO nomenclature is not always consistent with Shure's. The JICO VN35 is the same as Shure VN35E.

Yes, I purchase directly from JICO.
 
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