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NOS Shure V15 type III cartridge opinions

I know this sounds crazy but going thru boxes stored in closet for the past 40 years and found one of these I had purchased in 78 as a spare and never used. My question is should I open it up and give it a spin on my vintage TT or keep it to replace my in use cartridge until it goes south or open it install to see what happens? Wished I had another headshell. I read this was the best mm cartridge build, great all around sound and unsurpassed tracking. 
Or put on market? I'm leaning toward trying it out but then again?
128x128gillatgh
invictus005
597 posts
 
It’s a very good sounding cartridge. But for a NOS, you can get a lot of money on eBay. And then buy a 2M Black, which is a better sounding cartridge :)
gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh OP
381 posts
 
'Thanks, I thought about putting on the market but based on what I read in reviews or opinions I would hate to walk away and not know what everyone raved about back then. Can't remember if I ever heard one or not. It's a quandary for sure. Maybe someone who has used it can chime in. I'm sure there are better ones out there now but it sure would be nice just to see. I suppose I could try it and then sell as slightly used.
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
I have a V15 Type III in my collection of vintage MM cartridges. The Type III has a house sound common to all V15s (many love that sound but others not so much), but I find it to be the most balanced sounding of the V15 family, at least of the models prior to the Type V. A lot depends on the stylus. Most came with the elliptical (yellow pull body) stylus which is a good all around performer.  The rare MR (MicroRidge) stylus (red pull body) is a big sonic upgrade IMO if you can find one.  Takes the detail retrieval, airiness, and top-end extension performance up a couple of notches over the common elliptical.

All of the V15 are excellent trackers provided the suspension is still in good shape after all these years in storage. Beyond that, it really boils down to whether or not you like the V15 sound. Personally, I really like the sound of the Type III with the MR stylus with rock, blues, and even some more refined recordings, but would not choose it to be my one and only cartridge.

As to eBay value of a virgin NOS exemplar vs one that has been played briefly to validate that the suspension is still functional is a toss up. Some buyers will prefer the former and some the latter. Definitely take some good pics of the packaging before breaking it out for a test run if you decide to do so.

Hope this helps.

Dave
gillatgh's avatar
gillatgh OP
381 posts
 
Thanks Dave that helps a lot. I noticed you mentioned a yellow pull out elliptical stylus. The label on the box says it's elliptical but the stylus is a pull out black  and the body is silver. Do you know if stylus colors changed somewhere along the way?
I'm becoming more familiar with it thru reading and am more than likely going to try it. I do blues and rock so this may be right up my alley. If it pleases I'll hold onto it

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