Shure cartridge hierarchy - looking to learn some stuff

[lordmortlock]

I've had a technics SL-10 for a few months now and I find I listen to it more than any other source. It came with a couple of shure p-mount cartridges, a m99e and M110he, both with original styli with very little use. They both sound pretty good but I know very little about shure products. The m99e is a chunky, big wide sound (reminds me a bit of a denon 103, probably the stylus) but a bit unrefined, bit sibilant, whereas the M110he is more analytical and grown up, with bags of detail retrieval.

Lots of info re stylus replacement online but no comparisons per se, which for me thinking that I don't know enough about Shure. Where do/did these two carts fit in their line up? I've read a good bit about the V15 over the years. Is that the pinnacle of shure cartridges or should I be checking out some other models (well, pmount versions of) too?

Cheers, jake

[struth]

It went like this i think; v15 Type3, followed by m95ed, m91ed, m75ed. then the Standard Stereo Dynetic Cartridges; m55e,m44e,m44g etc.

[lordmortlock]

Where did mine fit in Grant?

[struth]

the d stood for diamond so pretty similar to that bar the stylus is maybe sapphire... think that is a more modern one.. not sure(pun) what p stood for but might have been profiled

I use a m55e and a nos stylus. wonderful sonic ability and you can get a shibata for it.

[walpurgis]

Entire Shure product line up 1974 (file download).

http://shure.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/28015/0/filename/1974.pdf

[topoxforddoc]

Jake,

You need a P mount cartridge for the SL10 - lovely TT and underrated. I sold quite a few of these in the early 80s. If you can find the original EPS310MC, then get it. It's a lovely MC cart (way better than the on board MC stage - best to bypass and use a SUT or head amp). - it looks like this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Technics-EPS-310MC-T4P-MC-Moving-Coil-Phono-Cartridge-SL-10-/252739242411.

There aren't too many decent NEW P-mount cartridges around. This Ortofon high output MC is probably about a good as you'll get now.
https://www.thakker.eu/en/pickup/ortofon-x1-mcp-cartridge/a-5090/

[lordmortlock]

I've got a few actually Charlie, including the 310 and a nice empire 390lt. I assumed I'd switch the shure M110he straight out in favour of the technics but I've been so happy with the sound I've decided to have a shure 'phase' and save the others for another day. That's why I was hoping to understand where the two cartridges I have sit in the hierarchy. My guess is that the M110 would have been up near the top of the tree. Keen to pick up a V15 V-p but the cost and availability of decent styus replacements is putting me off!

The SL-10 has been minor revelation if I'm honest. It's a joy to use and it sounds excellent. Easy to roll cartridges, No faff, just music.

[lordmortlock]

Entire Shure product line up 1974 (file download).

http://shure.custhelp.com/ci/fattach/get/28015/0/filename/1974.pdf

Very cool. Cheers Geoff

[willbewill]

This may help:

Shure Discontinued Phono Cartridge and Stylus Cross Reference Chart
http://cdn.shure.com/uploaded_file/upload/28/us_pro_stylus_cross_reference.pdf

[willbewill]

http://i.imgur.com/tZkSm3o.jpg#6y7Yj

[danilo]

Having owned used Most all of the Shures (the worth owning ones) during the 70's.
Hey! Shures were CHEAP carts ~20$ and it was only 3 or 4$ More to buy the entire cart than their replacement Stylus.. true.
And parties took their toll of tips :eyebrows:.
Anything below an M75 was Not worth buying, even the 75 was arguable and only when Beer money was in short supply.
V15's were overpriced and overrated, even then. Typically by Press shills :-). They simply weren't popular choices at their 100$ price tag.
Stantons flew off the shelves in comparison.
An M91e/d was a 15's equal at 1/4 the price. Bit later the m95 due to it's new tip design proved a bit more pleasing than the 91's.

Nostalgia is usually 95% selective memory.

[narabdela]

Anything below an M75 was Not worth buying, even the 75 was arguable and only when Beer money was in short supply.
V15's were overpriced and overrated, even then. Typically by Press shills :-). They simply weren't popular choices at their 100$ price tag.



It's difficult to reply to this sort of nonsense without falling foul of forum rules and etiquette. :rolleyes:

[walpurgis]

Having owned used Most all of the Shures (the worth owning ones) during the 70's.
Hey! Shures were CHEAP carts ~20$ and it was only 3 or 4$ More to buy the entire cart than their replacement Stylus.. true.
And parties took their toll of tips :eyebrows:.
Anything below an M75 was Not worth buying, even the 75 was arguable and only when Beer money was in short supply.
V15's were overpriced and overrated, even then. Typically by Press shills :-). They simply weren't popular choices at their 100$ price tag.
Stantons flew off the shelves in comparison.
An M91e/d was a 15's equal at 1/4 the price. Bit later the m95 due to it's new tip design proved a bit more pleasing than the 91's.

Nostalgia is usually 95% selective memory.

Yup. I think I agree with all that. Also, I liked the M91ED and had a couple of them, good cartridge. Never really got on with Stantons or the similar Pickerings. ADC's were favourite American carts though. Still have a few and use them.

[walpurgis]

It's difficult to reply to this sort of nonsense without falling foul of forum rules and etiquette. :rolleyes:

Actually. You just did Hugh. It's not good form to describe somebody's opinion as nonsense.

[struth]

Not shure how you can call a m55e as not worth buying :doh:

[willbewill]

M95 with Jico HE stylus is the one I still like to use (and M104 the TPE equivalent), along with a M55E.

[walpurgis]

I had a few M55E's back in the seventies and honestly can't say they left a memorable impression. There again, I didn't like the V15 or V15 II much, main memory is of an uninspired sound. The M91ED and M75ED were happy enough sounding devices though, especially considering the money.

[paulf-2007]

Not a p mount but the ultra 500 is top of the tree and my choice over anything else I've owned or heard.