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To keep or replace Shure M92 LT?

R

Rolltidero

New Member
Been looking for a turntable for a couple months now to replace my old BSR. I recently bought a Technics SL-5 linear tracking table off of ebay. It arrived today and the needle seems a little crooked. I pulled the cartridge off and it's a Shure M92 LT. Is this a good cartridge to keep? I found needles for this cartridge are anywhere from $20-$30. I can go to Best Buy and get an Audio Technica cartridge with needle for $30. Is it worth the needle on this cartridge? Or should I just replace the cartridge?
 
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I prefer Shure over Audio Technica but others's tastes will be different. To me, AT's have a "bright" character to them which I never much cared for and that characteristic is exacerbated with some speakers - in particular, those of Japanese origin.

Check for coil continuity on the N92, (I got a bad one last year with a dead coil) and if OK get a needle for it. Just my opinion but I would not even be considering the AT option. Generic styli for M92's have all worked well for me. The last one I got was from turntableneedles.com and it was not expensive - about $15 or $20.

FWIW, I listen to rock, pop, etc. and between those two brands, found Shure cartridges overall more "satisfying".
 
I would think the Shure would beat a $30 cart but have no experience with the entry level AT. I'm not certain what "a little crooked" is but would make sure the stylus is clean & try it before I spent any $$ speculating on what might be wrong.
 
The best-sounding styli for both bodies (3472 / 3482 and M92E / LT) are long out of production, which creates an availability/rarity problem, but if you're willing to take the time to poke around and wait for a good deal, they can be found/afforded. It may take more than $30 to pry one of the really good ones loose, though. So let us know how much money is available for this.

That said, Shure's current N92E stylus is basic but good. In a different way, so is A-T's current AT92E (aka AT92ECD).
 
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wualta said:
The best-sounding styli for both bodies (3472 / 3482 and M92E / LT) are long out of production, which creates an availability/rarity problem, but if you're willing to take the time to poke around and wait for a good deal, they can be found/afforded. It may take more than $30 to pry one of the really good ones loose, though. So let us know how much money is available for this.

That said, Shure's current N92E stylus is basic but good. In a different way, so is A-T's current AT92E (aka AT92ECD).
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Yea I'm looking at an AT92ECD on Amazon. I have found a needle on eBay that's the N97-LT but it's $25 which isn't bad. I'm not looking to spend more than $50 for either a new cartridge or a new needle.
 
Rolltidero said:
...I have found a needle on eBay that's the N97-LT but it's $25 which isn't bad. ...
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That's precisely the stylus I was going to recommend, based on personal experience, if money was tight.
Just so you know, the original Shure N97LT had a Hyperelliptical diamond, and the red "N-97LT naald" you're looking at for $24.54 shipped is an elliptical. It's really a copy of Shure's yellow N96LT, and in my opinion a very good one.

It is built like the original Shure styli, with a telescoped cantilever and tie wire.
 
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Rolltidero said:
Been looking for a turntable for a couple months now to replace my old BSR. I recently bought a Technics SL-5 linear tracking table off of ebay. It arrived today and the needle seems a little crooked. I pulled the cartridge off and it's a Shure M92 LT. Is this a good cartridge to keep? I found needles for this cartridge are anywhere from $20-$30. I can go to Best Buy and get an Audio Technica cartridge with needle for $30. Is it worth the needle on this cartridge? Or should I just replace the cartridge?
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This may be helpful...

http://www.shure.com/americas/support/find-an-answer/replacement-stylus-for-an-m92-lt
 
Rolltidero said:
Been looking for a turntable for a couple months now to replace my old BSR. I recently bought a Technics SL-5 linear tracking table off of ebay. It arrived today and the needle seems a little crooked. I pulled the cartridge off and it's a Shure M92 LT. Is this a good cartridge to keep? I found needles for this cartridge are anywhere from $20-$30. I can go to Best Buy and get an Audio Technica cartridge with needle for $30. Is it worth the needle on this cartridge? Or should I just replace the cartridge?
Click to expand...

I would upgrade it. There is a plethora of great styli that will fit that cartridge!
 
If I knew the Shure was not a very old cartridge, I might replace the stylus. Otherwise, I would look for a new cartridge. I frankly think both Shure, AT and several others make good products within their price range depending on your needs. I wouldn't get hung up on brand loyalty. I wouldn't buy an <$50 street price for anyone's entry level unit. At about $100, you can buy some pretty good cartridges if you shop them.
 
Cartridges don't go bad, only the needles do. I have Shure cartridges from the 1950's, 60's, 70's and 80's that still work.

The M92LT is a keeper and with the right stylus it will sound better than any entry level cartridge available today.

There are plenty of after-market styli that will fit your cartridge, but the best of the lot in my opinion are those manufactured by JICO. They, unlike most others, are built like the originals...

https://www.jico-stylus.com/product...cts_id=1036&osCsid=ktlo474b0jp3u4pi85c9l75ur0
 
illegalcolor said:
Is M92LT better than M92E?
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The M92LT has slightly better specs, same stylus tip dimensions but better FR and lower output which generally equals better sound.

Shure M92LT
  • Stylus - N92LT Tan Grip
  • Type - biradial elliptical .4 x .7 mil
  • Output: 4mv
  • Frequency Response: 20-20,000 Hz
  • Channel Balance: Within 2 dB
  • Channel Separation: 20dB at 1 kHz
  • Recommended Tracking Force: 1.25 grams
  • Trackability - Not published
  • Inductance: 700 mH
  • DC Resistance (DCR): 1550 ohms

Shure M92E
  • Diamond Stylus Tip:
  • Biradial 0.4 x 0.7 mil.
  • Output Voltage: 5,0 mV
  • Recommended Load: 47 kΩ; 250 pf
  • Tracking Force Range: 0,75 - 1,50 g
  • Tracking Force Optimum: 1,25 g
  • Trackability: 400 Hz: 24 cm/s
  • (Stylus) Cantilever:
  • Shure Type I
  • Alluminum alloy / tubular
  • Wall thickness/diameter 1 mil/30 mil
  • Compliance: 25 µm/mN
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 18 kHz
  • Stereo Channel Balance: 2 dB
  • Channel Separation (at 1kHz): 20 dB
  • Net Weight: 5,9 (7,4) g
  • Replacement Needles:
  • N92E
 
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