2. analog
  3. 193371-34300

Cartridge - sweet spot on the cost/sound curve?

I think my Sumiko Blue point 2 is going. Right channel is lower sound level than right using my turntable, totally even using digital. Table is Project RPM 5 carbon that I bought as a store demo with the blue point 2 so no telling how many hrs on it.

 

The rest of the system is a PS audio GCPH phono pre, deHaviland Ultraverve 3, McCormack DNA 1, Martin Logan SL3s with new panels. 
 

I loved the warmth and focus of the blue point but am a bit back by how much they cost $500. Don’t laugh I know carts can cost thousands but I got a kid in college!

 

Any recommendations for something at or under that price point that is better? 

1trackmind
noromance's avatar
noromance
10,012 posts
 

Not quite. If a curve is traced where sound quality is on the X axis and cost is on the Y axis, there exists a theoretical infinite set of sweet spots ocurring at any point on the curve. By stipulating the budget of $500, the OP is looking for the best SQ/cartridge at that point on the curve. 

Just responding the the title. The sweetspot is determined mostly by your financial situation. 

elliottbnewcombjr
5,683 posts
 
richardbrand

"Just a word of caution - there were several series of Shure V15 made, and they do not necessarily share compatible stylii."

correct, Jico makes that clear in writing:

"There is NO interchangeability between VN5MR and VN5xMR. Please confirm your cartridge / stylus number and select suitable stylus."

they list which body the new Jico VN5MR stylus I posted (for the used V15V body I linked) fits:

"

Cantilever

Boron
Cartridge number

V15V, V15V-B, V15V-G, V15V-P, V15V-MR, ULTRA500, VST-V
Color

BLACK
Tracking Force

1.0 – 1.5 g
Tip

Super Analog Stylus
Type

Moving Magnet

 

/////////////////////////////////////

btw, another advantage made possible by SAS on lighter/stiffer cantilevers is LIGHTER TRACKING, these track avg. 1.25g,

the AT33PTG/II Microline tapered boron rod tracks avg. 2.0g. Larger contact area combined with lighter tracking: This is the major reason these advanced stylus have longer life, and of course less wear on the grooves.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,683 posts
 

V15Vx used body, $158 usd;

Jico new VN5xMR, $282 usd

$440. total

exactly what I did to mine. shure orig tracked at 1,0g, I use 1.25g with this combo

johnto
1,036 posts
 

Soundsmith makes excellent cartridges. If you can find a low hours used one it’s well worth the purchase. They also offer a very generous rebuild policy.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,683 posts
 

Recent splurge, like a Cicada, I’ve got to go dormant for a long while now.

I made an offer, seller agreed to $338 for NOS unopened V15V-P which is P Mount version of V15Vmr (can be used as P or via 1/2" adapter) (same as V15Vmr except no brush)

New Unused Beryllium MicroWall Tube Cantilever with MicroRidge Stylus

If I live long enough to wear it out, or whoever inherits it can put a Jico Boron SAS in it.

used UA-7082 arm in transit; two used AT160ml Berylliums with two azimuth adjustable headshells;1 set of 4 AT616 TT Feet (arrived last evening, very nice, bigger than I realized); lastly this new V15V-P OEM Beryllium Tube.

 

 

found this:

"Post by dlaloum » 18 Jun 2012 00:36

If you have an intact V15Vp stylus there is nothing available today to match it...

Look after that stylus - the beryllium tube cantilever achieves an effective tip mass of around 0.17mg.

The nearest available current stylus is the Jico SAS which works out at around 0.3mg effective tip mass. - Still very good but not nearly as good as the original

The V15VP and V15VMR are electrically completely identical (I have both) - also the Jico SAS VN5MR stylus fits both, and works well on both."

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