Jimbos Audio ramblings

[Wakefield Turntables]

My combo which we have discussed isn't going anywhere . The only thing letting it down is poor resolution through my IMF speakers. It's a pity my ATC's are active and not passive I'd been able to really see what they could do. The only other thing you need to watch out for is high gain in your phonostage, careful capacitance matching and making sure your tonearm mass matches the generally accpeted Shure wisdom, then you'll have something which not only matches the M55e/Neo SAS combo but also betters it (albeit with a slightly newer feel to the sound).

PS JICO have not replied re: M55 JICO/SAS

[Wakefield Turntables]

Thought Jico didn't do that stylus any more mate.

They don't, Brian.

[brian2957]

They don't, Brian.

Thought so mate.

[Wakefield Turntables]

JICO emailed me back saying they don’t supply the m55e with the sas stylii. We knew this already. They didn’t say that they wouldn’t make one. I’ll mail back again

[Jimbo]

If you don't get anywhere with Jico SAS /M55e then I will look at other Shure cartridges where they do manufacture an SAS stylus for those particular cartridges.

Looking on their website there appears to be a big list of possible candidates. It would be good to know which combos work the best so this will need careful consideration and some internet trawling!

[Jimbo]

I have managed to put together a fairly comprehensive list of Shure cartridges that may well be good candidates for a JICO SAS stylus combo. Considering the output I would say the V15, M97, SC35C, M91 and M92 maybe good candidates.

V15 iii HE. - 3.5mV
V15 Type IV 4.0mV
V15 MR or VXMR - 3.0 mVM97 4.0mV
M91 5.0mV
M92 5.0mV
M44G 6.2mV
M44 -5 9.5mV
M44-7 9.5mV
SC35C 5.0mV
M55e 6.2mV

My Ortofon 2M black puts out 5.0mV and this plays nicely with the Croft preamp so I am basing my assumption that any of the Shure cartridges with 5.0mV or less would be suitable for capatibilty. Compliance is another issue which I will have to consider. So I will investigate further if I can recommendations of SAS Sure combos and put this all into Jimbos random cartridge selector and see what comes out!

If anyone has had a good experience with any of the Shure cartridges listed above please share your comments.

[Barry]

I started with an M55E, then an M75ED, before trying out the V15 range. Worked my way up to the Mk.III, before I transferred my allegiance to Ortofon moving coil cartridges, and the 'singular' and temperamental Deccas.

I briefly owned a Shure SC35, but had no use for it, so gave it away.

Still have a couple of M55Es, so it would be these that I would like to try with a Jaco stylus.

But I would have thought any of the Shure cartridges you list would be suitable. Is the output voltage that critical?

[Wakefield Turntables]

M91 / M92 or SC35C all outut @ 5.0mv. The SC35C + JICO SAS/R is supposed & reported to be a pretty perfect replica in terms of performance to the last V15 carts VXMR (? if memory serves correct). I don't think the SC35C and VXMR have the same internal workings.

[Jimbo]

I started with an M55E, then an M75ED, before trying out the V15 range. Worked my way up to the Mk.III, before I transferred my allegiance to Ortofon moving coil cartridges, and the 'singular' and temperamental Deccas.

I briefly owned a Shure SC35, but had no use for it, so gave it away.

Still have a couple of M55Es, so it would be these that I would like to try with a Jaco stylus.

But I would have thought any of the Shure cartridges you list would be suitable. Is the output voltage that critical?

The output of the M55e is a bit too high with the gain on my preamp. I have tried it and it sounds a bit overblown.

[Jimbo]

M91 / M92 or SC35C all outut @ 5.0mv. The SC35C + JICO SAS/R is supposed & reported to be a pretty perfect replica in terms of performance to the last V15 carts VXMR (? if memory serves correct). I don't think the SC35C and VXMR have the same internal workings.

The SC35R + Jico SAS/R sounds like it could be a killer combo.