Cartridge question

@rocky1313 - I see a couple of conflicting views in the posts above

• support for Sherical
• support for the more advanced stylus profiles

So it really depends what side of the fence you are leaning toward - DETAILS or MUSICALLITY

• a sherical profile is not able to get into the groove details as much as the more advanced profiles
  • lack of details can be interpreted as being more musical, which is why many people gravitate towards them
• BUT, the more advanced the profile, the more they are able to extract finer detials
  • BUT,they require a lot more attention to detail WRT cartridge allignment/setup
    • but using some type of mirrored protractor, you can achieve very precise allignment/setup
    • which will deliver stunning details and imaging
• a happy "medium" might be the Shibata profile or even an very good eliptical profile that provide musicality with improved details

For many years I used eliptical, then changed to a Denon D103 with a sherical styus profile, which delivered excellent musicality.

Then more recently I had the D103 modified by Soundsith with an Optimzed Countour Contact Line profile stylus and Ruby Cantilever. This provided a noticeble improvement in details and imaging but it took myself and a much younger pair of eyes about 2 hours to setup correctly

Of course, it's not that simple - with the more advanced profiles you will need a better phono stage, but I found the rewards were worth the investment

Going forward, I would rpobably opt for a Shibata profile, simply because it is not as demanding from an allignment/setup perspective and would still provide more details than the sherical stylus..

Hope that helps with your descision

Regards - Steve

Depends on which ADC. If it's anywhere in the XLM series, it's no contest.

Surely the right answer is the one you like the best, and not what weirdos on the internet say?

elliptical, my favorite ever

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649954227-shure-m97-xe/

discontinued. IF 10 hours is true, IF not damaged, then it is a good price and a terrific sounding and performing cartridge. I like Shures's optional damped brush, which is why I have had Steve at VAS install an advanced stylus on boron on my Shure V15Vxmr body.

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my comments are based on many various cartridges over the years (I/m 74)

I’ve got 3 TTs going now; 5 tonearms, 4 active, and 5 semi-active cartridges in rotation now.

my experience:

MC does produce a bit better results than MM, it is worth all involved IF you have the interest and $ to spend. My favorite is AT33ptg/ii. In fact it lasted over 750 hrs, You need proper alignment skills to get that performance and life from advanced stylus shapes. and when worn, AT sold me a new replacement cartridge at half cost trade in program.

Advanced Stylus do produce better imaging, great musicality, track lighter, last longer.

Stiffer Cantilevers do perform better, especially bass.

Elliptical, get a body with interchangeable stylus: Stereo; Mono; perhaps 78, elliptical, upgrade to advanced stylus shape in that body .....