Empire 999 QE/X cartridge

[Lawrence001]

I bought a TT with this mounted with an old stylus that I think is generic. Is it worth me looking out for a good stylus for it or is it fairly meh? Online reviews suggest it's ok if not stellar.

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[Jimbo]

Not one I have tried but if the stylus is fairly cheap and available give it a try - you maybe surprised?

[Lawrence001]

I would but I've just spent £300 getting a Jico stylus for a Shure body I bought for £20 thinking it was a bargain. Didn't realise it was actually a money pit and would set me back well more than the TT it came with [emoji1787]

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[Jimbo]

Ouch thats a bit pricey. :eek: Which Shure cartridge did you buy the stylus for?

I spoke to Jico last week but unfortunately they no longer make the SAS stylus for the Shure M55e so I may well look out other Shure cartridges that have SAS stylus available. A bit of research is needed I think.

[Lawrence001]

It's a VST-V apparently it's quite well regarded so I thought I'd get a stylus to try. Didn't realise you can't get a cheap generic one as I wanted to make sure it worked before splashing out. So just thought life's too short and went for it. £300 included postage and duties (well slightly over with fees I think).

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[Jimbo]

Jico stylus are superb quality and indeed are sometimes better than the original as I found with my M55. Their improved stylus for this cartridge was a fair bit better than a NOS stylus I had with the M55.

The VST-V I believe was the same cartridge as the V15 by all accounts so a worthy beast to keep going?:)

[Lawrence001]

Yes I need to try it as it's supposed to be one of their best. I think it was basically a V15-V with a better stylus, some that have tried say the Jico is better than the NOS ones.

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[Jimbo]

Jico do produce this stylus as an SAS version for the V15 in 3 variants, Boron, ruby and sapphire. You may have to check with them if this would be suitable for the VST-V but if it were it may produce something rather special.


https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/vn35he-sas-b/

[Lawrence001]

This has already arrived, not fitted it yet for logistical reasons (ie. TT and phono stage not in same location!) but am looking forward to doing so.

https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/vn5mr-hg-sas-b/

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[Jimbo]

That should produce a killer cartridge. Will be interested in the result. Only £25 more than I paid for my SAS 5 years ago so good price.

[Lawrence001]

If it's functional, haven't been able to test yet!

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[Lawrence001]

Just found an M3D in the parts box I'd completely forgotten about, another one without stylus. Might have to try a bit of vintage to compare the later VST to.

Pity I haven't got an AR-XA to fit it to, that would be the perfect match.

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[Lawrence001]

Got it mounted on my PS-4300, probably the best I've heard vinyl sound in my system (having not really tried too hard before) but I think it would benefit from a lighter arm like the TP16 MkII on the TD126 I'm hoping to collect soon.

Quite a relief the cart works as it was a bit of a punt going for the cartridge.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220213/96c02f68c0e90304814483366ab21198.jpg

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[Lawrence001]

Having a bit of fun tonight, just fitted Townshend Isolda DCT on the treble and Monolith 20/20 on the bass (both Goertz?). Pretty impressive even if I say so myself [emoji16]

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[Jimbo]

Got it mounted on my PS-4300, probably the best I've heard vinyl sound in my system (having not really tried too hard before) but I think it would benefit from a lighter arm like the TP16 MkII on the TD126 I'm hoping to collect soon.

Quite a relief the cart works as it was a bit of a punt going for the cartridge.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220213/96c02f68c0e90304814483366ab21198.jpg

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looks great - is that a SAS stylus?

[Lawrence001]

Yes as in the link I posted above.

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