Mystery MM cartridge - Any ideas what it is?

[Wakefield Turntables]

Guys,

I've found this cartridge attached to my SME3009 has anyone got any idea what it is. The only two things which are certain is that its made in the USA and that it's a MM cartridge. Secondly, is the cartridge any good?

Andy

[Dingdong]

I reckon it's a Shure of some sort. Possibly an early V series.

Had a Google and I reckon it's a V15-iii.

[Gromit]

Yup - it's a V15 II or III, and a pretty good cartridge, in fact the flagship of the Shure range in its day.

If the generator's in good condition, adding a Jico SAS stylus will turn it into something very special indeed. :)

[Stratmangler]

T'aint a V15 Mk II

http://i29.tinypic.com/mhx98h.jpg

[DSJR]

It's a V15III with generic stylus...

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q8/DSJR_photos/7310ae1a.jpg

Fit a Jico SAS stylus to it and it'll be a giant killer and perfect for a series 2 SME 3009, fixed or detachable shell IMO...

[Dingdong]

I think Rexton's has an aftermarket stylus in it.

[DSJR]

That's why Gromit and I suggested a Jico SAS stylus, as the technology in the body was very high IMO and it was the stylus which gave it its slightly hard-toned and spatially "flat" presentation. I sold a couple of the VN35HE styli (red plastic body to the stylus assembly) and these were much sweeter and more spacious. The SAS stylus is made with a tie-wire I believe as well as a much finer diamond grind and by all accounts the performance of the III is lifted to a different level again. The era III V15 models are not in the slightest warm and romantic in tone, but neither do they need to be stark and, well, flat-n-bland either.

[Wakefield Turntables]

WOW that was quick, ok, sounds like it might be a keeper, any recommendations where I can get this new Jico SIS stylus fitted?

[Dingdong]

Google it. I think that they are available from Japan and maybe Germany.

[DSJR]

GENTLY grasp the existing black stylus assembly at the flip-down cover hinge point and pull forward. The assembly should slide out, leaving a sort of diamond shaped hole in the black metal body.

Jico VN35 - SAS from here -

http://stylus.export-japan.com/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=1045

[Wakefield Turntables]

Thanks will have a play with it tomorrow at some stage and show you how I got on.

[DSJR]

With stylus removed, it'll look something like this -

http://www.hifi-forum.de/bild/shure-v15-iii_93610.html

This one's black plastic mount, rather than silver...