The Marco-boy main system, as of August 2020

[CageyH]

A question, is the Shure SC35C really better than a Technics EPC-205, or a AT20SS? Both are top end MM carts.

Is the SC35C voiced differently to the M55?

[Wakefield Turntables]

A question, is the Shure SC35C really better than a Technics EPC-205, or a AT20SS? Both are top end MM carts.

Is the SC35C voiced differently to the M55?

1. Never heard either of them.

2. I'll let you know when I've a stylus to use on the SC35C!!

[RobbieGong]

Cheers, Rob, I've also used the AT ones before, and they're great, but like you say I think these will be another level. It's all in the purity of the silver and annealing process

This is what I like doing though, and my approach to audio: mixing the best of the old and new, and knowing exactly where to put both in a system, in order to get the most lifelike sound and musically addictive result

Marco.

[Marco]

Defo, bruv! Link to lheadshell eads in question: https://www.mcru.co.uk/product/kondo...rtridge-wires/



Marco.

[Marco]

A question, is the Shure SC35C really better than a Technics EPC-205, or a AT20SS? Both are top end MM carts.

Is the SC35C voiced differently to the M55?

Hi Kevin,

I'll answer your question later (busy just now), as it deserves a proper response

Marco.

[CageyH]

Hi Kevin,

I'll answer your question later (busy just now), as it deserves a proper response

Marco.

[Marco]

A question, is the Shure SC35C really better than a Technics EPC-205, or a AT20SS? Both are top end MM carts.

Is the SC35C voiced differently to the M55?

Ok... Firstly, as ever, "better" is entirely subjective. I'd put it simply that the SC35C isn't better than either of the above *in the areas in which they excel*, particularly the Technics, as that's a very special cartridge, and there are others still currently produced, such as the Nagaoka MP500, which would 'best' the Shure in certain areas.

However... The point I'm making is that the 'lowly' SC35C [I mean, before it was recently discontinued it was sold as a 'DJ cartridge', FFS] is most certainly NOT in any way lowly, and largely misunderstood by both audiophiles and DJs alike, and so given its sonic prowess, was just stupidly priced (selling for around £60), I suspect rather like Denon and some AT MCs, due to economies of scale, coupled with decades of experience of making stereo pickups, which a company like Shure had, the SC35C was able to be produced cheaply and sold in its 1000s to radio stations and broadcasting studios around the world.

And *that* is how the SC35C should be judged: as a very well-engineered and reliable tool for broadcasting purposes, ably recognised for its sonic abilities by the BBC and used in their dedicated (high-mass) tonearm, designed specifically to partner it, and fitted onto the Gates, Technics and EMT turntables that graced their studios, from the 70s to the late 90s, together producing top-notch sound for their various music broadcasts.

I still remember with great affection, as a teenager in the 80s, listening to the Radio 1 Top 40 chart show on Sunday nights, hosted by Tommy Vance (and others), and marveling at the quality of sound [through the rather nice Sony tuner my dad had in the lounge back then], a show that like most youngsters then I'd record onto tape and play on my stereo or 'ghetto blaster' later - and a sound that still sticks in my mind to this day, which was bold, weighty, detailed, punchy and dynamic, and conveyed with palpable authority, such that the likes of the intro to Madonna's 'Crazy for You' would come thundering into the room through the speakers, with such gravitas!

Plus, tracks such as The Corgis 'Everyone's Got to Learn Sometime' sounding just simply magical:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjfvSXclFlI

...in an really 'sparkly', hugely atmospheric way that gave you goosebumps, especially when that synth-violin kicks in! And other tracks such as Kate Bush's 'Babooshka' [shown below], sounding simply magical in a 'rhythmically adroit' and organic way that completely eludes the reedy sound produced now on radio stations, using digital technology, and which in comparison sounds thin, unconvincing and a-musical... Just a VERY poor relation to what once was!



That is one sexy woman... Only she could make dancing with a double-bass look mesmerisingly erotic!

And so here's the point:

If you want to create a snapshot of that solid and weighty, 'unflappable' broadcast sound I've just described, which used to grace our airwaves back in the day, then a Shure SC35C (fitted *only* with NOS stylus), to a high-mass arm/headshell, and either a quality idler-driven or direct-drive turntable, plus phono stage, loading it correctly, will provide that experience. It's not a 'hi-fi sound' in the truest sense, although all the necessary traits are there, but just a lovely rich, big-boned, dynamic sound you can 'relax into' and enjoy, and which no matter the music played never fails to put a smile on your face!

In essence, therefore, *THAT* is what an SC35C is all about, and which simply isn't found in any other cartridge I've heard, modern or vintage, save the Denon DL-103, and certainly not a Shure M55, as good as that is in its own right. I hope that successfully gets across what I like about the SC35C, and what it does so well when used and set-up optimally

Marco.

[Marco]

Ok, I've been looking for one of these for YEARS, but they are super-rare, usually more than double the price and located in Japan! So it was refreshing to see a minty one for sale in the UK, and for such a good price:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NAGAOKA-G...72.m2749.l2649







It will partner my Nagaoka crystal glass mat:



The mat on its own sounds superb, so it'll be interesting to hear how it works as a combo, as indeed it was originally designed to work

Honestly though, I've seen the stabiliser alone sell for upwards of £200, and ditto the mat, as both are very rare and sought after vintage classics! So I'm well chuffed at scoring the stabiliser for £85!

Also, and this is particularly exciting... Arthur has sent me an improved version of the Achromat to try, and which looks great but I haven't yet assessed. I'm hoping that it'll not only be the best mat I've heard (perhaps trumping the Nagaoka), but also form a synergistic partnership with the Houdini, as both have been designed to work together.

Full report on all of the above in due course!

Marco.

[CageyH]

That gets your point across quite nicely, and gives me a good reason to avoid it, as I don’t have a high mass tonearm, so would not get the best out of it. I will stick with the two I mentioned.

[Marco]

Yups, you wouldn't really hear the best of it in your system. Pretty much every cartridge I like is low-compliance, so needs a high-mass arm

Marco.