2. analog
  3. 1241395046

Anyone have an opinion, Jico SAS stylus?

As this is my first post, let me recognize and thank the many 'goners who are so well informed and ready to share their knowledge and experience, and opinions too. I've gained a lot insight when searching the various audio forums and enjoy Audiogon the most.
My system: T/T is a SP-25 in the SH-15B2 base with a Black Widow T/A. I started with, and still have, four large Advents in the early '70's. The other components that count are: Pioneer SX-1980 and 980 receivers, Pio. SG-9500 eq., Pio. CT-F1000 tape deck and a Dual CS-5000 as back-up. Wasatch Cable I/C's. Sony Blu-ray for digital. Nothing to claim bragging rights about, but I'm happy with it. Is sentimentality an audio asset?
Last week I scored on the 'bay. An in-the-box EPA-500 with the A501 pressure gauge, A501H wand and a fresh Shure V15V-xMR cartridge to go with it, very good bang for the $. It fits well with the 70's gear.
I mounted the tonearm today with the xMR on it and was impressed with its midrange smoothness and definition, but cannot bring myself to use it daily. I have three V15-111's with Ed Saunders' excellent replacement styli(i?), but the ellipticals just don't have the finesse of the stereohedron xMR.
Am I expecting too much of these relics if I fit one with the SAS, can I anticipate an upgrade in the type 3's presentation?
One more: Best Buy is now selling LP's, ALL Beatle records are on backorder, about 10% of the rest. 4000+ listed on-line.
For those who read (suffer) through this, I thank you.
Now, what to do with the Black Widow?
128x128timeltel
blondskier7
1 posts
 
I replaced a recently broken in M97xe stylus, which I heard is a big deal with the 97xe, with the Jico S.A.S. today. The first albums I played were Fleetwood mac and Steely Dan's greatest hits, I was in love with it! It blew the stock Shure needle away. Then I played some albums that a bit worn and some poorly produced albums and I was a little bummed. With good albums the sas is GREAT, with poorly produced or worn albums it seems to be little or no improvement. As with all audio equipment the better it is the cleaner it is, if you put shit in you get shit out. You can't polish a turd. Overall I play albums that are in good shape and well produced, so I would buy the SAS again in a second.
Hope this helped.
timeltel's avatar
timeltel OP
830 posts
 
Regards, Blondskier7: Caution! The SAS stylus has cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of, well, a lot. It is said that familiarity breeds contempt. In this instance 35 years of familiarity had engendered complacency. Although some components have stood the test of time well, what was TOTL to a recent graduate in 1978 bears small resemblence to gear now offered. The JICO micro ridge varient revealed, in particular, advances in speaker design. An upgrade there led to a year of chasing the "weak link" so my suggestion to you is to restore the OE stylus to the M97xE, forget any improvment you heard and buy a nice new car with the $ you'll save.

Peace,
hxt1
141 posts
 
I scored a shure V15 IV with original stylus and jico sas!
Cheap!
You can imagine my excitement... After following the MM vs MC
thread for awhile!
It does sound good! But it still ain't in the same league as the dl103r
With level II soundsmith ruby cantilever...
Sigh... Am I doing something wrong?
Methinks I shall be listing the Shure soon.
timeltel's avatar
timeltel OP
830 posts
 
Regards, Hxt1: Shure recommends 4-500pF cap. At 100k Ohms res., hf/low level detail is quite good. Strong bass if VTA is slightly heel down, helps in taking bite out of the mids, too. Otherwise the Shure will sound brittle. Current passion is for a Signet TK5ea cart/AT155LC stylus, best when loaded at the other end of the range, 47k & 100pf. As you're probably aware, getting this right with MM's is a must.

Peace,
stevecramertoo
2 posts
 
Jico SAS stylus for the Shure M97xE is no longer acceptable as a replacement for the original stylus ...period!

The manufacturing of this once desirable replacement is nowhere near usable anymore.

They allow the bonding agent i.e. glue to be applied to both sides (Top & Down) of the stylus. Even where the SAS tip is bonded to the shank; although you can't see the tip. I could not see anything showing at all is crazy. My first one had the needle covered so much I thought they had send a dirty built-up used stylus. I could not clean it, so got a microscope and wow what a mess. At hundreds times of the microscope, I SAW the tip poking out.

Glue on everything. I complained and sent pictures, they replaced it. The next one was even worst. Jico claimed the minimum clear stylus is .14mm and the one sent back was .15mm showing.

A couple turns on the slights dusty record and the stylus is pushed up and out of the groove; Unbelievable. With the unaided eye you can't see the needle or shank at all. I'm not going to play/use the 2nd stylus from Jico as I can't see the tip of the stylus either. What a painful and costly mistake. $75.00 (USD) in lost money on just shipping fees.

Jico will take the stylus back, but I've lost. The price at Jico is $167.00 USD and $189.95 in USA at turntableneedles.
More to discover