Shure VST V Stylus Replacement

[visman]

Well I took a chance on that auction site and ordered a replacement stylus for my Shure VST V cartridge (Item number: 270202328249). According to Shure's website the replacement cartridge is the VN5MR (same as for the V15 V). The cost was around $50 so worth the risk.

The needle arrived and is marked as follows:


Designed for use in:
Shure V-15 Type V Cartridges

Suitable Replacement for:
VN5MR, VN5HE

Tip Material: Diamond
Tip Radius: Hyperbolic/Micro-ridge
Tracking Force: 0.75-1.25 Grams

Manufactured in Switzerland

Looks like a Pfanstiehl package.

It fit right into the cartridge - and WOW what a nice clean sound.

When I ordered the stylus I had to tell the seller that it was for my VST V and he made sure I got the VN5MR version. His add is pretty confusing on this point - kind of 1 advertisement for two stylus versions.

Anyway thought I would share this info since I had been told no replacement stylus were available.

 

[hakaplan]

No, there aren't two versions of this stylus. The V15VMR and V15VHE (and VST V) were all the same cartridge and took either HE or MR needle. He may have led you to believe that he was selling two different needles, but it's just one--the HE version, that serves as the replacement for two different needles. Except it's not really an exact replacement for the MR, because it's an HE. But, I'm glad you reported on it. Many of us have V15V carts, and original replacement styli are running $400 and up. So we're delighted to have had someone try this one. If you don't mind, post back and elaborate more after you have put in more listening time.

 

[thunderroad]

Yes! Enthusiastically seconded!

I've got a Shure V15 mk.V mounted in my AR turntable that I absolutely love and am hoping beyond hope that there are replacement stylus' available when I need to replace mine. There is lots of good Karma coming your way on this!

Excellent! Most Excellent! :thmbsp:

 

[visman]

I've given the new stylus a few hours of listening on my Sansui 9090 and Klipsch Quartets. The previous cartridge on my table (Dual CS-5000) was a Stanton 681EEE. The VST V and new stylus offer substantial improvements IMHO. Much better Bass a little less bright. I would say better seperation and just a fuller all round sound. With the Stanton I found myself adjusting the bass (more) and treble (less) and putting the "loudness" button on. With the VST V everything is in neutral - no loudness added and the sound to my ears is very good. I would recommend the stylus for anyone with the VST V cartridge - especially for the price.

One point is that I did have to adjust the pitch of the cartridge in the CS 5000 (the headshell has an adjustment) to have proper clearance between the cartridge - stylus and record. I suspect this is unique to the dual CS-5000.