Back in my early audiophile years I tried an M91E, a Stanton 681A, and an Empire something in my Dual 1209, because they were $5.00 each at Korvette, and I was curious. I greatly preferred the Stanton. Later I enjoyed a B&O SP12, an ADC XLM and Sonus Blue Label before my first MC, a Denon DL103S. I never went back to Shure until I tried an M95HE a decade or two ago…again, dull and lifeless to my ears. More recently, a V15 IV came my way, and I got Jico SAS stylus for it, to go on a Well Tempered TTTA. Finally, a Shure I could enjoy! I hope you do too. I now am using an AT OC9 XML with even more pleasure, and a newer phono preamp (Pro-Ject PhonoBox DS3), which gives me lots of loading and gain options I never had before.