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AT440mla, ortofon 2m red, or JICO SAS tip for mx97

Due to an unfortunate cleaning accident, my cantilever on my Shure mx97e was bent beyond repair. Now I am in a dilemma. I have a Fisher MT-6330 turntable Low Fi I know but I have made enhancements. It's a direct drive unit but has a unique 120 pole motor and a repectable 1kg platter. speed is DEAD ON. I have assembled a Janus mat (dynamat and cork); a 680 gram record weight (custom machined with 45 rpm adapter) and choice plinth mods to quiet it down It is well leveled Was aligned to perfection with a protractor from vinylengine; and overall sounded way beyond my expectations
It is christmas time and I am torn between 3 choices I can score a new model AT440mla for 99.00 or ortofon 2m red or 129 for the JICO SAS Stylus

HELP!!!
bc5k
bc5k OP
29 posts
 
I had my vta set with some custom machined shims for the headshell with the old stylus... (nice to have a friend who owns a machine shop) I realigned it when my custom made janus mat replaced the stock mat on the table. If realignment is needed i can get more shims made. This is as far as i can go with my current setup to get precise VTA adjustments... I will say the thin shims did make a lot of difference with the old stylus and that I should be shot for damaging it. However, I will take this into consideration and pay close attention to detail when doing so.
vinyladdict
164 posts
 
Viridian has expressed his dislike for the Jico on other forums and I totally respect that. It's worth noting, however, that a vast majority (in fact, I'd say he's the only one to the contrary) have noted significant improvement with the Jico SAS styli.

The Fisher MT-6330 appears to be fairly flexible in looking at pics online, you should be fine.

Look forward to hearing your impressions. FYI - Jico always shows the SAS backordered but they've always shipped within a week with all my orders.
bc5k OP
29 posts
 
Much appreciated... I know my low budget setup is no LINN or even a technics 1200 for that fact... But I have had good luck out of the fisher through more manual means... And best of all the price was right---FREE LOL... Beats my old technics sl-bd22 p mounter with a grado blue hands down... I am still looking forward to my stylus and I am pretty sure I will have good results even if the setup is a bit fiddly... Thanks for the vote of confidence Vinyladdict.
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vinyladdict
164 posts
 
Interesting. In that thread you even go so far as point out that, "71.4% is not 'near 80%'"; yet seemingly 71.4% is now 50%!

I have no problem with you not liking the stylus. I understand how some might prefer the smoother more laid back nature of the original. However, it takes all of 10 minutes of searching to indeed determine that there's no question that a vast majority do find the SAS an improvement, with the exception of the brush, over the original.
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