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Which JICO SAS on Shure V15 Type IV or Type V?

I just pulled the trigger in a VN45SAS/B from LPTunes. I could have saved about $26 by going with the cheapest Japanese eBay seller, but with the shipping delays out of Japan, I figured I'd just pay the extra 26 bucks to get it sooner from a US source, who also happens to be the official US distributor for JICO product. So, I will have some recourse if there are any issues.

Since I started this topic, I have moved my Yamaha PX-2 back into the rotation. I bought this table last September and played around with several cartridges for the next two months, but never found a combination that wowed me. So, I pulled it out of the rotation. As serendipity would have it, the Technics SL-1401 I purchased back in mid-February came with a V15 Type IV installed (minus the original stylus). I purchased an inexpensive Kyowa VN35E stylus off eBay after reading multiple reports that the V15 Type IV is a good match for the PX-2. I can confirm it is. It sounds great, even with the $19 Kyowa eBay special, but I know it can do even better with a more advanced stylus tip.

After reading several posts by someone who goes by dlaloum on vinylengine and elsewhere, I decided to go with the SAS/B for the V15 Type IV over the V15 Type V-MR. He has done extensive frequency response measurements with the SAS/B in both of these bodies and determined the SAS/B in the Type IV is a better match due to the higher inductance of the body compared to the V15 Type V-MR. Based on his measurements, his recommended loading for the V15 Type IV with the SAS is 47K ohm and 400pf (easily achieved and pretty close to Shure's original spec). Due to the lower inductance of the V15 Type V-MR body, when used with the SAS/B, it has a hot high end that can be tamed with a loading of 29K ohm and 700pF. Since I made my own phono stage, as well as a set of loading plugs, I can pretty much get any loading I want, but went with the SAS/B for the V15 Type IV because the recommended loading is easily achieved and closest to the factory original recommended loading specs (47K ohm, 200 - 300pF).

If I end up REALLY liking the Shure/SAS combo, I can always get an SAS/B for my V15 Type V-MR at a later date and run it on my Harman Kardan T60, which has a front panel knob for adding 100pF or 200 pF of capacitive loading.
 
MCM_Fan said:
someone who goes by dlaloum on vinylengine and elsewhere
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That’s David Laloum, a chap from Melbourne, who’s also an AK member. I haven’t seen him post recently here or on any other forums. The last we heard from him, he was testing out ultrasonic record cleaning.
 
ETI_5000 said:
That’s David Laloum, a chap from Melbourne, who’s also an AK member. I haven’t seen him post recently here or on any other forums. The last we heard from him, he was testing out ultrasonic record cleaning.
Click to expand...

I hope he's doing OK, found his perfect cartridge/stylus combination and is blissfully spending his time enjoying music. I certainly value his contributions. I was going to send him a PM with thank you over at vinylengine, but then noticed he hasn't visited that forum since September 2018.
 
My Shure V15 iv with Jico Sas B sounds so good I have been rechecking alignment on my other cartridges to make sure they are right. It has dethroned a couple of my favorites. I have it set up on a Thorens TD 147 with TP16 Mkiii tonearm (7.5 grams effective mass). The dampening brush has very little impact on tracking force. Less than .1 grams on my scale so not sure how much it really does. Currently set for 1.45 grams VTF brush down. Considering getting a back up just in case.
 
I have the Shure V15 IV with the Jico SAS/b . I run with the brush down . Sounds great, tracks great. You will not be disappointed. It’s not a fussy load either. I run into a stock phono section (cj pv12, sansui 5000x, scott 233) all sound good . All are 47k . I used it on a Linn lp12 with Ittock and custom Lenco L75 with jelco 750 . Not a fussy cartridge at all.
 
MCM_Fan said:
I just pulled the trigger in a VN45SAS/B from LPTunes. I could have saved about $26 by going with the cheapest Japanese eBay seller, but with the shipping delays out of Japan, I figured I'd just pay the extra 26 bucks to get it sooner from a US source, who also happens to be the official US distributor for JICO product. So, I will have some recourse if there are any issues.

Since I started this topic, I have moved my Yamaha PX-2 back into the rotation. I bought this table last September and played around with several cartridges for the next two months, but never found a combination that wowed me. So, I pulled it out of the rotation. As serendipity would have it, the Technics SL-1401 I purchased back in mid-February came with a V15 Type IV installed (minus the original stylus). I purchased an inexpensive Kyowa VN35E stylus off eBay after reading multiple reports that the V15 Type IV is a good match for the PX-2. I can confirm it is. It sounds great, even with the $19 Kyowa eBay special, but I know it can do even better with a more advanced stylus tip.

After reading several posts by someone who goes by dlaloum on vinylengine and elsewhere, I decided to go with the SAS/B for the V15 Type IV over the V15 Type V-MR. He has done extensive frequency response measurements with the SAS/B in both of these bodies and determined the SAS/B in the Type IV is a better match due to the higher inductance of the body compared to the V15 Type V-MR. Based on his measurements, his recommended loading for the V15 Type IV with the SAS is 47K ohm and 400pf (easily achieved and pretty close to Shure's original spec). Due to the lower inductance of the V15 Type V-MR body, when used with the SAS/B, it has a hot high end that can be tamed with a loading of 29K ohm and 700pF. Since I made my own phono stage, as well as a set of loading plugs, I can pretty much get any loading I want, but went with the SAS/B for the V15 Type IV because the recommended loading is easily achieved and closest to the factory original recommended loading specs (47K ohm, 200 - 300pF).

If I end up REALLY liking the Shure/SAS combo, I can always get an SAS/B for my V15 Type V-MR at a later date and run it on my Harman Kardan T60, which has a front panel knob for adding 100pF or 200 pF of capacitive loading.
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Nice - I look forward to hearing how you like it - the NEO/SAS/S I've said previously is awesome. I'll probably try the Boron next.
 
Agreed! I use the Boron SAS with my type IV and V and HE stylus on my type 3. But I did this some years ago when they were much cheaper. And yes they sound great.
 
rebellovw said:
Nice - I look forward to hearing how you like it - the NEO/SAS/S I've said previously is awesome. I'll probably try the Boron next.
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Sadly, I never received it. I tried twice, once from LPTunes (official US JICO distributor). In spite of their web site showing it as "in stock" both before and after I placed my order, they canceled my order and issued a refund three or four days later. So, I went the eBay route from a seller with good feedback. I got a notice it had been shipped, but never got a tracking number. I waited and waited for weeks and nothing ever showed up, so I got a refund through eBay. I went these two routes because at the time I was looking to get an SAS/B, JICO didn't have it in stock.

I have since added two LOMC carts, first a Denon DL-301 MKII about five weeks ago, and a week ago, a Dynavector 20x2L. So, for the foreseeable future, my V15 Type IV and Type V will be without an SAS stylus of any flavor. I'm quite happy with what I've got.
 
MCM_Fan said:
Sadly, I never received it. I tried twice, once from LPTunes (official US JICO distributor). In spite of their web site showing it as "in stock" both before and after I placed my order, they canceled my order and issued a refund three or four days later. So, I went the eBay route from a seller with good feedback. I got a notice it had been shipped, but never got a tracking number. I waited and waited for weeks and nothing ever showed up, so I got a refund through eBay. I went these two routes because at the time I was looking to get an SAS/B, JICO didn't have it in stock.

I have since added two LOMC carts, first a Denon DL-301 MKII about five weeks ago, and a week ago, a Dynavector 20x2L. So, for the foreseeable future, my V15 Type IV and Type V will be without an SAS stylus of any flavor. I'm quite happy with what I've got.
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Yeah - I did the same thing - placed the order LPTunes - then they canceled the order stating it wasn't available (boron) and offered me the Sapphire or Zirconia - I decided on the Sapphire. Funny about the Denon - as I was using a newly setup DL103 just prior to installing the V15. The V15 w/JICO is really good. I like the DL103 as well - took a while to break in.

I went on a "cartridge I always wanted" voyage with the DL103 first and the V15 IV second. Pretty fun.

Both are awesome - I prefer the V15 at this point as the 103 is very tricky to setup (sounds best on my Technics - doesn't work on my VPI - just cannot align it.)
 
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I am in need of a new Stylus for my Shure V15 Type IV. I am going to purchase the Jico SAS VN-45HE. I have seen this for sale in several places. The average prices is probably $190. However, I recently found one for sale on lptunes.com for $128. Is this a legit website? Why is it so much cheaper?
 
Coach SIms said:
I am in need of a new Stylus for my Shure V15 Type IV. I am going to purchase the Jico SAS VN-45HE. I have seen this for sale in several places. The average prices is probably $190. However, I recently found one for sale on lptunes.com for $128. Is this a legit website? Why is it so much cheaper?
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The $128 styli are made by JICO, but they are not SAS. If you search “VN45HE SAS”, you’ll notice that they won’t appear in the search results.
 
I decided I better by direct from JICO and just ordered the SAS. I am replacing what I originally had on my Dual CS 5000. I know it sounds great. It's my first turn table, so I don't know what a lesser stylus sounds like. I do want to get a Ortofon cartridge for it as well. I have read that it is what was originally on this turn table new. That will be down the road.

Another question. Can I have my broken stylus re tipped? How would I go about that if so.
 
Coach SIms said:
I decided I better by direct from JICO and just ordered the SAS. I am replacing what I originally had on my Dual CS 5000. I know it sounds great. It's my first turn table, so I don't know what a lesser stylus sounds like. I do want to get a Ortofon cartridge for it as well. I have read that it is what was originally on this turn table new. That will be down the road.

Another question. Can I have my broken stylus re tipped? How would I go about that if so.
Click to expand...
You can generally have a broken stylus retipped. There are various people who do that, some of them being VAS (who I have used) and Soundsmith. You would have to contact them with the details of your cartridge and see what they say.
 
I am running 2 V15V's, one is V15V-MR with original stylus. The other is same with SAS (Boron) stylus. Both carts are run with brush down and the SAS brush, while not the equivalent of Shure brush, seems to have the same functionality. I run each cart at 1.5 grams. Now, typically the original is hosted by a 45 year old Sony PS-4750 and Schitt Mani Phono Preamp and the SAS is mounted to the tonearm of a Technics SL-1210GR, which required a 2mm headshell spacer to permit acquisition of proper VTA. The Technics is connected to the phono input of a Sony TA-E9000ES. Now, the fact of the matter, I cannot discern anything to distinguish one cart from the other. They both get the job done, maybe too good. The detail brings along acute notice of snap, crackle, and pop, which is quite disturbing. Overall, the tone and superb tracking is so similar to CD play I am certain the carts are indeed getting all there is in the groove to get and they are getting it distortion free, totally distortion free. 50653912272_53a29188c0_c.jpg
 
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