New Shure M97xe
- Thread starter drummerman
- Start date
pasted over from vinyl engine to a question of member regarding upgrading a cartridge ...
I have a newly bought M97xe which I literally just mounted yesterday. I also have a M75ED with ellipt. Pfanenstiel aftermarket stylus and an Ortofon VMS20E MkII.
I have to say, the M97xe sounds almost exactly the same as the M75ED! - Whether this is for a lack of 'running-in' (perhaps 6hours use) or for a lack of loading adjustability of my phono stage I don't know.
This is not necessarily a bad thing as both Shures sound nice but it has audible tail off at high frequencies as well as a small amount of upper bass boost. Bass doesn't reach lower than with the Ortofon though.
In contrast, my Ortofon is more neutral and ultimately, probably more satisfying.
I give the M97 a little more time as well as using it on the Garrard but, it seems to be a sideward move, at least at the moment.
I'll also recommend one of the Ortofons unless your phono amplifier has loading choices. I heard somewhere that the M97xe responds well to higher loading. The Ortofons may lack some excitement but also at the same time don't seem to impose so much of their own character on music.
Another possibility is to get a hyper elliptical needle for the Shure as I think CliveUK has done (look at the thread 'show your cartridges'). I can't vouch for that but he seems to think it made a substantial difference.
regards
I have a newly bought M97xe which I literally just mounted yesterday. I also have a M75ED with ellipt. Pfanenstiel aftermarket stylus and an Ortofon VMS20E MkII.
I have to say, the M97xe sounds almost exactly the same as the M75ED! - Whether this is for a lack of 'running-in' (perhaps 6hours use) or for a lack of loading adjustability of my phono stage I don't know.
This is not necessarily a bad thing as both Shures sound nice but it has audible tail off at high frequencies as well as a small amount of upper bass boost. Bass doesn't reach lower than with the Ortofon though.
In contrast, my Ortofon is more neutral and ultimately, probably more satisfying.
I give the M97 a little more time as well as using it on the Garrard but, it seems to be a sideward move, at least at the moment.
I'll also recommend one of the Ortofons unless your phono amplifier has loading choices. I heard somewhere that the M97xe responds well to higher loading. The Ortofons may lack some excitement but also at the same time don't seem to impose so much of their own character on music.
Another possibility is to get a hyper elliptical needle for the Shure as I think CliveUK has done (look at the thread 'show your cartridges'). I can't vouch for that but he seems to think it made a substantial difference.
regards
My Ortofon ff15e died. Now using Shure 75ej. Garrars 86sb sounds good enough but may need a recommended cartridge since the Shure is 1975 well used vintage. I will take yr advise :cheers:
RobinKidderminster said:
I think the EJ is spherical so even replacing that with with an ED stylus should improve things depending on what you think is wrong at the moment.
regards
Wrong? Only age & use I guess. Looking for best option bearing in mind the limitations of the deck.
Shanka
Well-known member
Hi,
May have missed the boat here but would you say there is much improvement from the Shure M97xe over the ortofon vms20 ?
I drunkenly aquired a Pioneer PL 518x on ebay ( was after a PL71 !!) which is playing quite happily and I am looking at the Shure to replace the ortofon which came with it.
Intrigued on your thoughts, I have seen reviews and comments on the shure and seems the best match for the deck, even found a youtube video saying it was a good pairing.
Thanks
May have missed the boat here but would you say there is much improvement from the Shure M97xe over the ortofon vms20 ?
I drunkenly aquired a Pioneer PL 518x on ebay ( was after a PL71 !!) which is playing quite happily and I am looking at the Shure to replace the ortofon which came with it.
Intrigued on your thoughts, I have seen reviews and comments on the shure and seems the best match for the deck, even found a youtube video saying it was a good pairing.
Thanks
I like the Ortofon. Its clear and doesn't impose on the music, just lets me hear whats there.
I like the Shure, its less clear (transparent) but gives a little bit of warmth the Ortofon doesn't.
Both track well and I have yet to experience any serious IG distortion or jumps.
The Shure doesn't extend any further down than the Ortofon but it has a little bit more mid/upper bass which is always there. I haven't looked at any frequency charts for this cartridge but I would have thought it has a slight hump from maybe 80 to 200hz. This gives some fullness and an impression of weight to music but it probably isn't entirely truthful. StilI, it can be pleasant.
The VMS20 (MKII) has better, clearer high frequencies and sounds less rolled off. Better balanced overall.
In favor of the Shure, it can be 'upgraded' with a very expensive Jico stylus and it reportedly responds to different loading which will increase its upper frequency response.
All this depends on the condition of your stylus, precise set-up etc.
Luckily the Shure is fairly cheap so why not just use both?
regards
I like the Shure, its less clear (transparent) but gives a little bit of warmth the Ortofon doesn't.
Both track well and I have yet to experience any serious IG distortion or jumps.
The Shure doesn't extend any further down than the Ortofon but it has a little bit more mid/upper bass which is always there. I haven't looked at any frequency charts for this cartridge but I would have thought it has a slight hump from maybe 80 to 200hz. This gives some fullness and an impression of weight to music but it probably isn't entirely truthful. StilI, it can be pleasant.
The VMS20 (MKII) has better, clearer high frequencies and sounds less rolled off. Better balanced overall.
In favor of the Shure, it can be 'upgraded' with a very expensive Jico stylus and it reportedly responds to different loading which will increase its upper frequency response.
All this depends on the condition of your stylus, precise set-up etc.
Luckily the Shure is fairly cheap so why not just use both?
regards
Shanka
Well-known member
Hi,
Thanks for the info and advice, much appreciated.
Out of curiosity what deck did you try them on ?
Will probably get one and see what I think, I like quite a bassy sound so looks good for me, if I'm not happy can always try it on my Ariston.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the info and advice, much appreciated.
Out of curiosity what deck did you try them on ?
Will probably get one and see what I think, I like quite a bassy sound so looks good for me, if I'm not happy can always try it on my Ariston.
Thanks again.
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