For the money can I do better - Shure M97xE

thsmith

Found the Shure M97xE at the river for $54 free shipping. For the money or just a little bit more can I do better than this cartridge.

TT is a Technics SL-1300 with Clearaudio clamp
Current cartridge is a Signet that cam with the TT and it sounds good.

Thanks for reading and you thoughts.

thsmith

Thanks but $150 is a big jump from $54. I would like to stay in the $54 ball park. Just wondering if there is something worth the jump to say $75.

billbillw

To answer your question, no, you cannot do better than a Shure M97xe for the money. It is a fine cartridge that is better than may cartridges costing 2-3 times as much. Enjoy it. Let it break in for a few dozen records before you pass judgment. I've had two of these cartridges and will always keep one around as a spare. It is what I would call a very warm sounding cartridge. Its very mellow and musical.

In case you don't understand the directions for using the stabilizer brush up/down, I'll make it simple. With the brush down, touching the record, you need to dial in an extra .5 grams of downforce. So, if you find that 1.25g works well with the brush up, then use 1.75 with the brush down. The record does not see the extra .5g, because the brush absorbs that extra downforce. Many people think the brush is just there to clean off dust, but it is really designed to help the stylus track better. I find it very useful on records that are warped or otherwise don't track well.
Enjoy

erniejade

I am going to say you might stay with what you got. What signet model is it? Signet had some good units!!

http://www.cartridgedb.com/

this link might help you see if they have any specs on it.

The shure is a good unit for the $ but, the difference between the sure 97 and the denon dl160 will be night and day. The DL 160 is a high output moving coil. It is worth the extra $


I still would not count your signet out yet though.....

billbillw

That Signet might have been a very fine cartridge when new, but I'm guessing that it is probably at least 25+ years old. The elastomers used in the suspension for the cantilever are probably quite deteriorated by now unless it has been kept in a vacuum sealed container. That would mean that the cantilever would sag more than normal, the stylus rake angle would be off significantly, and the catridge could bottom out on warps more easily. Unless he can find a new stylus for the cartridge (not likely), then he is probably better off with a new one.

hearingimpared

Tracy,

Try this site. http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Budget-Phono-Cartridges;jsessionid=0a01074e1f439a186478db8148d88f3c83dd9edf5830.e3eTaxeKbh0Te34Pa38Ta38Nc3z0

They have tons of high quality cartridges. Plus you can call and discuss what you want with them. They will recommend a solid budget cartridge when you tell them what vinyl rig you are running.

ben62670

What do you guys think of these?
http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-OM-5E-Phono-Cartridge?sc=2&category=378

hearingimpared

ben62670 wrote: »

What do you guys think of these?
http://www.needledoctor.com/Ortofon-OM-5E-Phono-Cartridge?sc=2&category=378

If I were to go with this cartridge I would choose the nude fineLine stylus .

ND13

Here's a whole page of great budget cartridges.

http://www.needledoctor.com/Online-Store/Budget-Phono-Cartridges;jsessionid=0a010b441f439635c6af7b9b4bd9b149e14b669b1801.e3iKaNePch4Re34Pa38Ta38Oax50

Heard good things about the Grado Black, Sumiko Oyster and Pearl, and I'm using an Ortofon OM-10 which works great, Thanks Rich.

ben62670

I have that cart. No real bass, thin, but detail is pretty good. Should I just ditch the whole cart? I know I can drop a new stylus in, but would it really be worth it. The Sure mentioned above has a solid rep. I guess my major complaint is no warmth, and lacking bass.
Sorry for the thread jack. I didn't want to start another.
Thanks
Ben

thsmith

Thanks guys for the information. I took hearings advise and call needledoctor, nice folks.

Told them my budget and TT and what I have now. Their recommemndation was to enjoy the Signet I have now or get a Ortofon OM10 and move up to the OM20, 30, 40 stylis line as the stylis will work with the OM10 when my budget dictates.

While that may be sage advise I am still thinking about the Shure 97.

ND13

The OM 10 is versatile, especially with being able to upgrade styli without buying the whole cartridge. Nothing against the Shure at all. I used Shures for 20 years on my old Philips 212 back in the day. Very durable cartridges, not so delicate like a lot of the hi-end ones.

billbillw

I still think the M97xE at $54 beats them all (for the price anyway), especially when mated to a heavy armed Technics. I really doubt you will ever desire anything more, that is, unless you decide to graduate beyond that SL1300 table.

BTW, I have an SL-1300, with an M97xE cart. I use it for dubbing vinyl to FLAC files on my computer. I find it to be a very good combo.

One thing to consider: The Technics tonearm is fairly heavy, which is normal for an s-shaped arm. Heavy arms do better with low compliance cartridges. Most of the cartridges mentioned are considered high compliance (especially the OM series). The Shure M97 would probably also be considered high (or medium) compliance, but when you add in the Shure stabilizer brush, it acts to create overall lower compliance for the cartridge which I find works very, very well with the Technics tonearm. Just something else to ponder.

ben62670

I have the OE-5E. Would the 10 really be a noticeable step up?
Thanks guys.
Ben

danger boy

thsmith wrote: »

Thanks guys for the information. I took hearings advise and call needledoctor, nice folks.

Told them my budget and TT and what I have now. Their recommemndation was to enjoy the Signet I have now or get a Ortofon OM10 and move up to the OM20, 30, 40 stylis line as the stylis will work with the OM10 when my budget dictates.

While that may be sage advise I am still thinking about the Shure 97.

Nothing wrong with the Shure 97. I am using one right now.. but it is what it is.. meaning.. you can't expect it to sound like a $300 cartridge.

I also have the AT440MLa, which I like better. better high end detail.. but on certain albums it's to much of a good thing.. but overall, it has better dynamics than the Shure 97.

I got the Shure 97 for the same price as you, from OneCall.com a few months ago. Decent all purpose cartridge. get it already. You know you want it.

ozzy21236

The Shure will suit be fine. Part of the fun of vinyl is finding what presentation you prefer as each cartridge manufacturer has their own "house" sound. Buy the Shure. At that price you've nothing to lose. When curiosity sets in later down the road, come back and discuss it.
Personally I'd get a new stylus for the Signet and save my pennies for the Denon.I have done the same thing you are doing in trying cartridges that are praised but in a lower price bracket. Looking back , I could have just bought one nicer cartridge but the dollars were scary. Of course I would not have had the experience that came with listening to them all. That in itself is priceless.
One other thing , you mentioned in another thread that your SL1300 wasnt in the same league as a Rega P1, while some may believe that to be true , I do not. Its a good table. Not better IMO than Regas of a higher order, but a good table none the less.
Once you decide if you are into vinyl for the long haul , a $300-$400 cart wont seem so bad. See how far you can take your table .
Russ

SCompRacer

ND13 wrote: »

Thanks Rich.

You are most welcome Noel! Isn't that an OM20 though? Or is it more brain fade on my part?:eek:

ND13

SCompRacer wrote: »

You are most welcome Noel! Isn't that an OM20 though? Or is it more brain fade on my part?:eek:

I think you gave me both or it's a 5 and a 20, I'll have to check.

Yep 5E cart and a 20 stylus.

thsmith

Received the Shure 97 earlier this week and was going to wait until my new headshell and AQ headshell leads arrived but I got impatient and went ahead and swapped out the Signet that came with the TT.

Very definate and nice upgrade. Much more detailed. So far 4 album sides played and I am very pleased. Brush is down tracking a little heavier than optimum but less than max.

Joe, I received my shims today and setup before replacing cart. First observation is drums are punchier and bass is improved articulation. Not sure if that is what one would expect but that is the improvement I noticed.

THANK YOU !

billbillw

thsmith wrote: »

Received the Shure 97 earlier this week and was going to wait until my new headshell and AQ headshell leads arrived but I got impatient and went ahead and swapped out the Signet that came with the TT.

Very definate and nice upgrade. Much more detailed. So far 4 album sides played and I am very pleased. Brush is down tracking a little heavier than optimum but less than max.

Joe, I received my shims today and setup before replacing cart. First observation is drums are punchier and bass is improved articulation. Not sure if that is what one would expect but that is the improvement I noticed.

THANK YOU !

It will only sound better as it breaks in over the next 25-50 hours of playing. What tracking force are you using? With the brush down, ideal setting is anywhere from 1.75-2.50 grams. Nothing wrong with heavy settings. FYI: Too heavy is better than too light.

thsmith

According to my digital scales 1.85 which I have tested to be accurate. Sure sounds nice though. I had a problem with it set at 1.75 on one album where it skated to about 3 grooves into the start of the song. No longer a problem at 1.85 on that album.

billbillw

thsmith wrote: »

According to my digital scales 1.85 which I have tested to be accurate. Sure sounds nice though. I had a problem with it set at 1.75 on one album where it skated to about 3 grooves into the start of the song. No longer a problem at 1.85 on that album.

Don't be afraid to go higher. 2.0 works good for me.

thsmith

Thanks, I will keep that in mind. Just spinning vinyl and building up the hours.