Timeltel
y.s.:
>>> The type III, V15Vmr and the M95 .... Bass fundamentals are very solid but these cartridges lack the warm (colored?) harmonics in the 3rd/4th octaves usually prefered by those who enjoy the "east coast" sound. <<<
I like this blend of scientific and emotional mix of assessment. Now, "east coast" sound = warmish and mellow, yes?
With my V15 III + VN35MR, I would say it sounds a bit "glazed" at times and so I ordered the SAS stylus for it. No idea if it will actually pay of.
Having listened to numerous MM carts of late, it seems incredibly difficult to get the 'depth' of detail (loaded with micro information of harmonics) but not reveal that they (harmonics) are actually screwed up in some way or another.
So it's either too little revealed or if revealed the wrong stuff.
Right now I have put in a Ortofon M20FL super (an MI actually) and it seems to give me a bit of relieve in the area mentioned (glazing) and yet show ~ 'enough' detail. Incredible to me how the 'Ortofon sound' managed to maintain this 'not too much and not too little' over the years.
I also had/have Jubilee and Windfeld. Now this NOS MI cart (M20FL) for close to peanuts sounds at least as good a their more current Kontrapunt B and maybe even the Jubilee.
But one thing always seems to remain as mentioned above, detail with glazing/brittleness --- or "east coast" sound with some perceived lack of inner detail/depth.
I could go on about some other carts of the Lyra and Tranfiguration lines but maybe too far removed from the Shure OP. Still, in terms of money the Shures ARE quite interesting.
Viridian, thanks also for your detail of the stylus suppliers.
Greetings,
