Original US model Shure SC35C

Thanks to Darren (Kiningin), who sourced them from the States, I'm about to take delivery of one of these babies (the other being Darren's):


http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/663/shuresc35c.jpg


http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/2572/shuresc35c2.jpg


http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9503/shuresc35c3.jpg


As you can see, both cartridges come with a spare NOS original stylus, which is a nice bonus! :)

Like Darren, I was intigued when I read this post by 'Vinyl Junkee' on Vinyl Engine: http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21307

Quote:

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Used for all vinyl replay by the British Broadcasting Corporation from the early seventies until the seedy takeover ousted vinyl. Engineering carried out extensive tests over a period of time on the SC35C before using it, to ensure that it came up to their (at that time) very high standard in terms of sound quality, robustness and low record wear, 'cue burn' in particular.

To work properly each channel has to be loaded with a capacitance of 450pf, which typically means adding 220pf to the preamp input (both channels). Correctly loaded this cartridge gives very fine sound quality - it is actually the professional version of the esteemed V15.

Back in the early eighties we AB tested this against other professional cartridges including the Denon 103 coil and the Shure wiped the floor with all of them! We had a Kisiki Blue moving coil as a reference and there was no audible difference between this and the SC35C. Now of course all this was many years ago and today it is a very different story.

You can still buy an SC35C but it is a very different animal from the original model from Evanston. I am very fortunate in having 3 USA SC35Cs from the late seventies plus a V15IIIHE and the sound of the new is absolutely nowhere near the quality of the originals.

If you want to evaluate one - try and get an original US model, it will have USA printed on the body above the pins. The replacement stylus is a problem - don't go for one with 'Shure' printed in black on the front - it won't be a fake, but the quality will be so different from the earlier ones printed in white. This is the big problem, getting a decent replacement stylus, there are some NOS about but we use Jico in Japan - theirs are fine and as good as the originals.

Sorry to go on at length here, but I am a big fan of these cartridges. Just one last thing - conical stylus playing at 4.5 grammes! Shock horror I hear you cry - not a bit of it, I have loads of LPs played hundreds nay thousands of times and none have any trace of wear- in fact that bit of extra weight is ideal for dislodging minute particles of dried spittle which would cause a lighter cartridge to stick.

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Full report, with pics, to follow.... I already own a 'basic' SC35C, which is good, but not overly special. However, I have fond memories of one I used in the 80s, which sounded fantastic, and WAY better than the one I have now.

Could this original US model sound as magical as I remember the one I used before did (and how VJ describes it on VE) and be another vintage cartridge marvel (and 'giant-killer') for the Marco-boy? All will be revealed soon, folks! ;)

Marco.

I think you'll like it Marco, but not sure (sorry :)) if I could take it these days, my ears being what they are...

The one I had for some time was a new one "borrowed" from the BBC stores back in the mid 80's, so no question of its pedigree (same box as that pistured). The treble was balanced rather like the M75-EJ/M-93E, rolling off quite noticably but not unpleasantly so and tracking at the suggested 4g IIRC. I don't think I can live with this balance nowadays, but again, I didn't load it hugely with capacitance and this may lift the treble somewhat.

Good luck Marco. The sound "should" have more power than the G800 for example and more substance. I understand there was an SC39 with better stylus, but have no experience of this and rely on Google for knowing it existed at all..

Cheers, Dave. I'll let you know how I get on, as no doubt will Darren :)

The one I had in the 80s also had that box and the same printed instructions inside, and it sounded big, ballsy and full of 'fun factor' (and bass was exceptional, with real 'heft' and drive), which is just the kind of sound I like, and I suspect that the uber-transparent, 'airy' and revealing nature of the valve MM phono stage in my Croft will open out its top-end nicely!

Regarding the G800, there is no shortage of power and substance with it in my system, where it sounds rather like a Denon DL-103, only better!! ;)

Marco.

Well marco,i have had a quick listen,Tracking at 4.0g and you have a very good memory as it sounds exactly how you described it 'big, ballsy and full of 'fun factor'(and bass was exceptional, with real 'heft' and drive).

The 'newer' carts simply don't compare,and i get the feeling the nagaoka i've got will not get a lookin :eyebrows:

Still need to play around with setup,but this is exactly the type of sound i've been looking for,it does all the 'delicate' stuff as well from what i can hear.

I leave the more flowery review to marco :ner: as im rubbish at describing what i hear,all i know is,what i like,and so far in this early stage,me likey.

Oh dear, I've just pished my panties with excitement!! :eyebrows:

See if you can work out the sweet spot, in terms of VTF, before I fit mine, so I don't have to arse around too much... Try it a 3.5g, dude, and see what happens :cool:

Howz the top-end - not too rolled off?

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Oh dear, I've just pished my panties with excitement!! :eyebrows:

See if you can work out the sweet spot, in terms of VTF, before I fit mine, so I don't have to arse around too much... Try it a 3.5g, dude, and see what happens :cool:

Howz the top-end - not too rolled off?

Marco.

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:lolsign: don't get too excited,my system is a little bit more modest than yours and i have very little experience with other carts,trebal comes across as sweet and detailed to me,maybe marginaly 'splashy' but like i said need to set up properly yet.

I'll think you'll like it,you can confirm if i have terrible judgement in sound if not :lol:

EDIT:No it doesn't sound rolled off to me.

I'm sure I'll love it, dude - 'sweaty' treble rules!! :lol:

;)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

I'm sure I'll love it, dude - 'sweaty' treble rules!! :lol:

;)

Marco.

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What you talking 'bout willis ;)

Right im off to bed,i feel an all day session(is that spelt right :scratch:,im tired)
tommorow.

Ah, you've edited it now - lol!

Good news about the treble, to you, not sounding rolled off. Try reducing VTF a bit and see what happens. I'd like to know whether it *needs* 4g, or if you can get away with a bit less :)

Marco.

Well, mine has just arrived in the post - cheers, Darren! I won't get a chance to play with it until the weekend, though, so will report my findings here then :cool:

Marco.