Does the Shure M97xE match my TTs well?

[Simon A]

Hi everyone,

I would like to ask for your opinions on setting up these three turntables with Shure M97xE cartridges.

Main turntable

Revolver with Linn Basik Plus tone arm and a Linn cartridge (model unknown-suspension really tired)

Secondary turntables

Dual 1225

Sanyo TP600SA

I have read great things both here and on AudioKarma about this cart and I wanted to know whether the M97xE was a good match for all three TTs.

I will not install the carts myself as I have no idea how to do it so I will them fitted at the Shure recommended shop. I then will have to adjust them for weight and tracking, but for this, I will come back to you pros with my questions. I know some may suggest other brands like AT, but for the price and quality offered, I think the Shure is for me.

I will buy the carts from the shop as well as I don't want to buy them off the Internet.

Right now my main concern is to know whether the cart is a good match.

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestion.

[CardinalFang]

I used the M97xE on my Dual 1219, and found it to be a nice match.

[Simon A]

I used the M97xE on my Dual 1219, and found it to be a nice match.

Keith, when you say "used" do you mean you've change carts or you've stopped using the 1219? Thanks! :)

[CardinalFang]

Keith, when you say "used" do you mean you've change carts or you've stopped using the 1219? Thanks! :)

I went with a v15vXMR on my Dual. As much as I liked the M97xE, I needed something with better tracking. The opportunity presented itself, thanks to a forum member selling a gently used v15 cart at a great price. :)

[Simon A]

I'm glad you were able to get a v15vXMR! Does this mean that the M97xE has tracking issues (I thought I had read otherwise)?

[CardinalFang]

Well, all I can say is that I had a lot of trouble. It all went away with the v15. Maybe I had a dud M97? Ask Jeff (Psychfan)... he has my old M97 now! :D

[Simon A]

Thanks Keith! I will...:righton:

[Casino]

I've used Shure carts with a couple of Duals in the past with no problems - the V15 Type IV years ago and the old M91 Shure carts.

[Kent Teffeteller]

Hi,

The Dual can use the Shure M 97xe well as it's tone arm is low mass. The Linn arm needs a medium mass cartridge to work well. A Denon DL 103 should do you well or a Shelter or Dynavector! The Sanyo can likely do well with the Shure too.

[Simon A]

Hi,

The Dual can use the Shure M 97xe well as it's tone arm is low mass. The Linn arm needs a medium mass cartridge to work well. A Denon DL 103 should do you well or a Shelter or Dynavector! The Sanyo can likely do well with the Shure too.

Thanks Kent!

Would the AT440MLa suit the Linn tone arm better? I've also heard many good things about it and it's supposed to track very well too.

[John Carsell]

I like the warm sound from the M97Xe but a far as tracking goes, one can do better.

The M97Xe tends to pick up inner groove distortion on many a LP.

[Simon A]

Thanks John! I already experience inner groove distorsion with my current cart and I would like to avoid that with a new one.

Is there another possibility in the same price range?

[PsychFan]

Well, all I can say is that I had a lot of trouble. It all went away with the v15. Maybe I had a dud M97? Ask Jeff (Psychfan)... he has my old M97 now! :D

Nah, it's not a dud. I currently use Keith's old M97 on my 2nd table, a Luxman PD-264 direct drive. It seems to mate with that table and its arm very well ... I don't have any significant tracking issues. It's not as good in that regard as other carts I've heard, but it's not terrible either ...

[Simon A]

Thanks for giving us your view on the cart PsychFan!

[portisphish]

I have both the carts in question Simon, and when it is all said and done, and I had to pick one, I would go with the AT440MLA. It's a better tracker. They are both in their own removeable headshells and go onto my vintage 70's Pioneer PL-530.

[Kent Teffeteller]

Hi,

The Audio Technica AT 440 MLa is like the Shure M 97xE. Best used on low mass arms. Making a medium mass cartridge best on that Linn arm.

[JBStephens]

Thanks John! I already experience inner groove distorsion with my current cart and I would like to avoid that with a new one.

Is there another possibility in the same price range?

Isn't inner groove distortion telling you that the geometry isn't quite right? Sounds like maybe it's just a hair off tangent. There should be no difference between an inner groove an an outer groove except that the outer groove is moving faster. Of course that does mean that the wave has a longer path for any given frequency at the outside, so it would be a bit easier to track.

[Simon A]

Isn't inner groove distortion telling you that the geometry isn't quite right? Sounds like maybe it's just a hair off tangent. There should be no difference between an inner groove an an outer groove except that the outer groove is moving faster. Of course that does mean that the wave has a longer path for any given frequency at the outside, so it would be a bit easier to track.

It's actually a case by case scenario. It will vary from one LP to another. The reason I need to get a new cart on my Revolver is that the suspension on the Linn cart is really dead.

[barzzz]

I like the warm sound from the M97Xe but a far as tracking goes, one can do better.

The M97Xe tends to pick up inner groove distortion on many a LP.

Which is more important to tracking, the cart, or the stylus? I am getting an m97xe stlus to try on my vn5xmr cart. Will the 97 track any better on the xmr cart, or will it not make a difference?

[Bill S]

Which is more important to tracking, the cart, or the stylus? I am getting an m97xe stlus to try on my vn5xmr cart. Will the 97 track any better on the xmr cart, or will it not make a difference?

In my experience, the stylus shape seems to be most important. Microline or Microridge styli do a much better job of tracking than an elliptical stylus.

[OcdMan]

Isn't inner groove distortion telling you that the geometry isn't quite right? Sounds like maybe it's just a hair off tangent. There should be no difference between an inner groove an an outer groove except that the outer groove is moving faster. Of course that does mean that the wave has a longer path for any given frequency at the outside, so it would be a bit easier to track.

Inner groove distortion isn't necessarily caused by mistracking or misalignment, it's often caused by something called tracing error. That's when the stylus is simply too large to accurately trace the tight modulations in the groove. Some styli are much better at reducing this type of distortion. I've never owned the M97xE so I can't say what the culprit might be.

[Grant]

Thanks Kent!

Would the AT440MLa suit the Linn tone arm better? I've also heard many good things about it and it's supposed to track very well too. be warnred, that AT cart is a bit bright, even the newer model with break-in. Many people don't mind it. I do.

[Simon A]

be warnred, that AT cart is a bit bright, even the newer model with break-in. Many people don't mind it. I do.

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks Grant!

[Grant]

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks Grant! I'd better add that this with the usual resistance provided in most phono stages. If you can tweak it, all the better.

I don't want to chase you from using a cart you may enjoy.