Shure V15V cartridge. Worth investing in?

Campbell has the V15 pegged. It's a good chartridge, but moving magnet just can't compete with moving coil, except in trackability. Once you hear even a relatively inexpensive Denon MC chartridge, you'll be hooked on MC. Try a Denon, or a Shelter. Buy the Shure too. Compare for your self. You'll be able to resell what ever you don't like for a loss of only the price of a nice evening meal for two, and you'll have about that much fun comparing these needles.

To answer your question first: no, I would not rehab your old Shure; I would get a new one, as it is significantly better. Also note that the damping block tends to lose its elasticity, and that usually imparts a hardness to the sound. So even if you were to get a new stylus, there might be other things in need of attention. The overall cost might approach the cost of a new one, which is indeed more refined than earlier generations of this cartridge.

There has long been an audio snobbery towards this cartridge, IMO, without any basis except that it perhaps doesn't cost enough, and that seems to put off some of the "purists". It is a very fine unit.

Now, I currently use the Denon DL 103 and am as enthusiastic about it as Edle. It has the added benefit of being a HOMC (high output moving coil) and thus doesn't require a pre preamp. In simple terms, you can drive it through a conventional phono input. And it doesn't cost a lot. So unless you're emotionally wedded to the Shure, you might give the Denon a look. But you would not go wrong with Shure Brothers. Good stuff.

This is a great cartridge for the money. Only around $225 new. (I can give you the link). As far as tracking, it is only bettered by one other cartridge I am aware of, the Cartridge Man's 'Music Maker' cart, which is a true audiophile MM (Or moving iron, I forget which) High output cart. Of Course, that one costs $750. For the money, it's hard to beat.

Andrew

OHLALA...FOLKS!

The body still the same, acquire the "Upgraded" stylus...
and Viola...! Listen music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ALEX

I've owned and used this cartridge since 1993 after upgrading from a number of carts (Micro Acoustics 630MP was the last one). I've replaced my stylus twice and am still happy with the sound. Many here say the newer Shure is better, but I've also read some reviews saying that the Type-V in particular sounds better than the newer Shure incarcation. Moving Coils will give a significantly different sound, but with other issues (including needing a MC front end, much more system sensitivity, more record wear required by the usual higher tracking forces, more possibilities of arm/cart interactions) not to mention the higher expense.

If you're a casual listener, I'd get a replacement stylus and be done with it, assuming you have all the original packaging and alignment tools, etc. Otherwise, I'd agree with the other posters to try a newer cart, exp the current Shure.