Shure Super Track V15 IV stylus??

[ampguy]

Anyone have suggestions on where to get a V15 type IV replacement stylus (Beryllium) ?

and suggestions for the next best [affordable] cartridge replacement?

Thanks!

[fxsuperglide]

If you're looking for a superior quality aftermarket replacement stylus, go with the Japanese made Jico VN45HE ($97) or the "SAS" stylus VN45HE ($112). -see link below- The quality of this stylus is made to exacting specs, right down to the telescoping cantilever (they do use boron for the small part of the cantilever). Unfortunately the genuine Shure VN45HE or VN45MR are virtually impossible to find NOS (and when they do appear, they often go for more than they originally retailed for). As for "next best" affordable cartridge replacement? Let's say "equivalent quality" currently available would probably be the Audio Technica AT150MLX (around $300) but the next step down would be the Audio Technica AT440ML ($100). If you'd like to find an even more affordable alternative, perhaps the newest Shure M97xE, surplus Me97HE, V15-RS or original M97 Era IV w/ N97HE or N97ED stylus (latter three difficult to find, but they do turn up on ebay from time to time, but for a hefty price sometimes) - or the Audio Technica AT120E (elliptical stylus version of AT440ML) are all worthy considerations.
link to information about who makes their styli (interesting note about the VN45HE)
http://www.export-japan.com/marketing/stylus/make_stylus.php
link to stylus itself
http://www.export-japan.com/marketing/stylus/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=1049

[ampguy]

Thanks fxsuperglide:

This is great info. and I will research it.

If you're looking for a superior quality aftermarket replacement stylus, go with the Japanese made Jico VN45HE ($97) or the "SAS" stylus VN45HE ($112). -see link below- The quality of this stylus is made to exacting specs, right down to the telescoping cantilever (they do use boron for the small part of the cantilever). Unfortunately the genuine Shure VN45HE or VN45MR are virtually impossible to find NOS (and when they do appear, they often go for more than they originally retailed for). As for "next best" affordable cartridge replacement? Let's say "equivalent quality" currently available would probably be the Audio Technica AT150MLX (around $300) but the next step down would be the Audio Technica AT440ML ($100). If you'd like to find an even more affordable alternative, perhaps the newest Shure M97xE, surplus Me97HE, V15-RS or original M97 Era IV w/ N97HE or N97ED stylus (latter three difficult to find, but they do turn up on ebay from time to time, but for a hefty price sometimes) - or the Audio Technica AT120E (elliptical stylus version of AT440ML) are all worthy considerations.
link to information about who makes their styli (interesting note about the VN45HE)
http://www.export-japan.com/marketing/stylus/make_stylus.php
link to stylus itself
http://www.export-japan.com/marketing/stylus/product_info.php?cPath=18&products_id=1049

[gener8tr]

I just ordered one yesterday from this guy:
www.edsaunders.com

I did some research on my own, and this stylus is as close to the original as you'll find (so I think)... includes brush, etc. as well.

Price is reasonable at about $69.00

I'll never let go of my V15 Type IV

[gener8tr]

Here's an ebay link if interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ELLIPTICAL-DIAMOND-STYLUS-SHURE-V15-IV-V15-IV-V15-NEW_W0QQitemZ9716694722QQcategoryZ3283QQ ssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[ampguy]

will be most interested in your review of how it compares to either the original, or the Jico ones. Thanks, most interesting info.!!

Here's an ebay link if interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ELLIPTICAL-DIAMOND-STYLUS-SHURE-V15-IV-V15-IV-V15-NEW_W0QQitemZ9716694722QQcategoryZ3283QQ ssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[fxsuperglide]

I just ordered one yesterday from this guy:
www.edsaunders.com

I did some research on my own, and this stylus is as close to the original as you'll find (so I think)... includes brush, etc. as well.

Price is reasonable at about $69.00

I'll never let go of my V15 Type IV

Not to pass judgement, but I'm doubtful that those aftermarket V15 IV styli will sound quite as good as the original Shure or even the Jico SAS or HE versions. Based on photos I've seen (of both the Saunders and the Swiss by DOS models offered by Williams Stylus Shop in Germany?), neither of those have the telescoping cantilever, and I doubt at that price that they're made from the same quality materials as the original Shure or Jico SAS or HE versions (note: the Jico offers the unique SAS line contact stylus as well as a boron telescoping cantilever - I believe even their HE version also offers the superior cantilever arrangement). On the other hand, if the Saunders and/or DOS versions do track reasonably well, perhaps they'll yield a trackability rating closer to that of a decent M97ED or M97xE cartridge (with a frequency response that might possibly be better due to the V15 IV cartridge's internal design). I'm guessing for this reason, this is why Shure recommends replacing the cartridge with the M97xE (but of course I can fully understand not wanting to give up the V15 IV, as I never did give up mine).

[ampguy]

Anything without Beryllium won't sound or behave exactly the same. It's kind of how close can you get, and is it worth even trying, let alone the $$$, that's why the originals when they come up are so expensive.

Not to pass judgement, but I'm doubtful that those aftermarket V15 IV styli will sound quite as good as the original Shure or even the Jico SAS or HE versions. Based on photos I've seen (of both the Saunders and the Swiss by DOS models offered by Williams Stylus Shop in Germany?), neither of those have the telescoping cantilever, and I doubt at that price that they're made from the same quality materials as the original Shure or Jico SAS or HE versions (note: the Jico offers the unique SAS line contact stylus as well as a boron telescoping cantilever - I believe even their HE version also offers the superior cantilever arrangement). On the other hand, if the Saunders and/or DOS versions do track reasonably well, perhaps they'll yield a trackability rating closer to that of a decent M97ED or M97xE cartridge (with a frequency response that might possibly be better due to the V15 IV cartridge's internal design). I'm guessing for this reason, this is why Shure recommends replacing the cartridge with the M97xE (but of course I can fully understand not wanting to give up the V15 IV, as I never did give up mine).

[gener8tr]

Well, as it so happens I got a full refund from Ed Saunders.

I paid for the stylus a week ago, and just today found out the new unit would not be shipped for at least another week... Hence I asked for a refund and it was provided.

I'll look for the Japanese unit.

[Uncle Harley]

I'll never let go of my V15 Type IV

I no longer have a turntable but I still have my V15 Type IV, mostly used for recording new lps to cassette. :)

[Nad 214]

Take this for what it's worth. Someone posted over at AA that the stylus from a Shure M97XE will fit the body of a V15IV. Just thought I'd pass it along.

[OcdMan]

The stylus for the III will also fit the IV. That might be helpful simply because it's easier to find new authentic Shure styli for the III than for the IV. Look for a VN35MR. No beryllium cantilever but it does use a MicroRidge tip. It still tracks great.

[fxsuperglide]

Take this for what it's worth. Someone posted over at AA that the stylus from a Shure M97XE will fit the body of a V15IV. Just thought I'd pass it along.

NOT TRUE!!! The brass insert piece of the N97xE (stylus for M97xE) is too large and will NOT fit the V15 IV (it won't fit the III or the V-MR either). The N97xE stylus will however fit the V15VxMR, V15-RS, V15-Pro-S, or VST-III, as well as all past M97 cartridges (even though Shure doesn't cross-reference the N97xE stylus to the aforementioned cartridges - apparently they prefer not to support earlier cartridges with current styli - not the first time they've done this). Likewise, the VN5xMR (stylus for V15VxMR) which also has the same larger brass insert, will fit any of the cartridges that the N97xE stylus will fit.

[OcdMan]

NOT TRUE!!! The brass insert piece of the N97xE (stylus for M97xE) is too large and will NOT fit the V15 IV (it won't fit the III or the V-MR either). The N97xE stylus will however fit the V15VxMR, V15-RS, V15-Pro-S, or VST-III, as well as all past M97 cartridges (even though Shure doesn't cross-reference the N97xE stylus to the aforementioned cartridges - apparently they prefer not to support earlier cartridges with current styli - not the first time they've done this). Likewise, the VN5xMR (stylus for V15VxMR) which also has the same larger brass insert, will fit any of the cartridges that the N97xE stylus will fit.

Shure lists (http://www.shure.com/phono/xrefphono.html) the VN5MR not the VN5xMR as the "upgrade" stylus for the V15-RS and VST-III. If you have experience with all of these then I'm sure you're correct. Lists can always be wrong. But if you don't have first-hand experience with the V15-RS and VST-III, I wonder which stylus really fits...?

[fxsuperglide]

Shure lists (http://www.shure.com/phono/xrefphono.html) the VN5MR not the VN5xMR as the "upgrade" stylus for the V15-RS and VST-III. If you have experience with all of these then I'm sure you're correct. Lists can always be wrong. But if you don't have first-hand experience with the V15-RS and VST-III, I wonder which stylus really fits...?

Oh, I forgot to make note of this: Shure is actually wrong there. While they now claim the VN5MR is a replacement for the V15 RS, it fits too loose. I even traded a broken VNSE3HE stylus for a VN5MR during their now defunct stylus trade-in program (since it fit loose on the RS, I simply kept it as a spare for my Ultra 500). Reason I kinda figured out that the VN5xMR is the more correct stylus is for at least one reason. The VST-III cartridge (which is a V15 RS clone) uses the same VNSE3HE stylus, but it's also said the M78S stylus for 78 playback also fits it, and likewise, the M78S also fits the V15VxMR. Go to http://www.needlz.com/library/discontinued_styli.pdf - that's where I found the VST-III info - there's lots of other cross references as well (can't remember any other errors besides the VN5MR for the V15 RS). Of course Shure isn't going to recommend the VN5xMR stylus for the V15 RS (since they need to save all stock for the V15 VxMR customers). On the other hand, they were simply looking to sell off all their remaining VN5MR stock (and my guess is they didn't care if it fit too loose on the RS, simply that it "just barely worked"). I still have the V15 RS and I do have a VN5xMR stylus and it does indeed fit the cartridge. Just to be sure, I even tried to fit the VN5xMR stylus on the V15 V-MR body (it won't fit - the brass insert piece is too large for the V-MR). Hope this helps. ........Oh, and one last note: Some have even claimed that the latest V15 VxMR is merely a V15-RS clone (both cartridges were made in Mexico, and the RS does have a rolled off top end).

[gener8tr]

Great info for us V15 TYPE IV users...

Now, has anyone tried the Japanese JICO?

Comparisons, PLEASE!

[ampguy]

So no one makes a Be one? Is Be in short supply?

[paul cbc]

Great info for us V15 TYPE IV users...

Now, has anyone tried the Japanese JICO?

Comparisons, PLEASE!

Hope this helps:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=75224&highlight=shure+stylus

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=71198&highlight=shure+stylus

Paul :)

[fxsuperglide]

Great info for us V15 TYPE IV users...

Now, has anyone tried the Japanese JICO?

Comparisons, PLEASE!

I have a V15 IV and have both a NOS VN45MR stylus and a brand new Jico SAS VN45HE(I have yet to assemble the spare Linn that this cartridge is intended for). I will give a report once my friend and I compare it on his turntable setup (he just moved and I have to set up his turntable in the next few days - we'll probably do the comparison this upcoming weekend, since his table is also setup with a V15 IV cartridge and VN45MR stylus).

[gener8tr]

Any updates on this.

My V15 TYPE IV stylus remains in very good condition, but I'd like a very nice back-up at home just in case.

Please keep me posted.

Thanks!

[rasterscan]

I posted some samples of the SAS in the AT440MLa thread. Check it out! :)

[fxsuperglide]

I just tried out the Jico SAS VN45HE stylus on my V15 V (VST-V) cartridge setup and it sounds great so far. Initial testing has proven quite satisfactory. I know this stylus is designed for the V15 type IV, but I've heard of successfully using the type IV stylus in a V cartridge (some have even said the IV and V bodies are similar, if not identical - Shure made the plastic pieces "different enough" so nobody could "cheat upgrade" a type IV with a type V stylus without having to buy the entire type V cartridge - it can be done the other way around because there's enough of a gap between the plastic parts of the IV stylus and V body). So those of you out there with a Shure V15 V-MR who can't find a replacement VN5MR stylus, the Jico SAS VN45HE is definitely a worthy consideration. LAST NOTE: www.lpgear.com is now offering the Jico SAS styli for the V15 III and IV cartridges (and again, the type IV version will also work on the V15 V as well).

[Danny]

Will either the Jico VN45HE or the "SAS" VN45HE stylus work with the Shure V15VxMR?

Edit: Nevermind I found my answer to this question here:

http://www.stevehoffman.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=111161

How have these worked out for those who bought them?

[Kent Teffeteller]

Hi,

My wife has a V15 Type IV on one of her Thorens turntables. The stylus got worn out a year ago. The Jico SAS line contact stylus was the only viable option we could find. We ordered one and have used it regularly for the year. It sounds great and tracks superbly. Very comparable to an original Shure and arguably a bit better.

[bangsezmax]

Hi,

My wife has a V15 Type IV on one of her Thorens turntables. The stylus got worn out a year ago. The Jico SAS line contact stylus was the only viable option we could find. We ordered one and have used it regularly for the year. It sounds great and tracks superbly. Very comparable to an original Shure and arguably a bit better.Ditto -- I just got one a couple of weeks ago and it's definitely a keeper. For MM carts/styli available today, I'd think it's pretty hard to top getting a used V15 IV with no stylus on eBay and then buying the Jico SAS. Probably set you back about $200 or so, but it's a really fine-sounding setup for a lot less than the VmR (if you can even find one now).