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The Shure was easier to install on my Revox B791 and the sound is great( not as detailed as the Samba) but more full and well ballanced with better bass.Do not skip getting the replaceble needle.WHo knows how long they will be arownd at that price. For the money this is the best buy I ever had. Just replaced a less than a year old Orto Samba $250(can not change the needle on Samba).
The brush also does a good job of cleaning the track before the stylus comes across. It is broken in now and I have a hard time deciding between it and the AT95E. Well worth the purchase price. I picked up the Shure M97xE to use as a back up to an AT95E. I really like the sound of this Shure.
I would describe the as significantly less "live" than the AT. response, and it certaily does track better. I am not one of them.Equipment List:Onkyo M504/P304 Amp/PreampTechnics SL1200MKII TurntableAcoustic Research 328PS/Martin Logan Preface LoudspeakersAudioquest Cables I even switched out my new Martin-Logan Preface speakers, thinking that they were too bright and were causing the problem.
So, when I won a sales contest that covered the cost of the AT I hesitantly bought it without hearing it, nor reading anything about it. Obviously, there are many fans of the M97. I chose this cartridge to replace my AT PC440LC on a new Technics SL1200MKII based on the many positive reviews I've read on the net. Back when I bought the AT, I really wanted to get a V15, again, based on all of the favorable reviews. Sonically, I'm more inclined to compare this to the Ortofon M20FL that originally came with my Dual CS-622 turntable, except the Ortofon had better midrange detail. This translated to a very irritating midrange edginess/harshness that I could not tolerate.
It definately lacks the guttural involvement. But it persisted, although slightly reduced, with my Acoustic Research speakers installed. The soundstage was someshat restricted compared to the other cartridges I've owned, but it seemed more precise. To that I will have to agree. The base is decent and tight, and after much fiddling aroung with the TF/VT/AS adjustments I was able to get the mids to a point where I could stand them at lower levels. Finally, I've read that some have claimed the cartridge to be somewhat dull sounding. But the AV shop where I worked didn't carry Sure.
To me the cartridge displayed the sonic detail reminescent of a mid-range cd player, at least in my system. Midrange instrumentation and vocals lacked detail and was very forward. Well, I count that as a huge stroke of luck, as I have absolutely loved the AT compared to the other cartridges I've owned, and, if the M97 is any indication of the performance of the V15 (I've read that it has similar qualities), then I am very glad that I didn't throw down the considerable amount of cash for one back then.The M97xE is not as warm sounding as the Grado (forgotten the model, but retailed around $100.00 in 1981) I owned, but it does have better high freq. However, this cartridge completely lacked the midrange sweetness and detail that I am used to.
Very happy with the performance, quality and sound of this cartridge. My 25 year old Shure V15 type IV needed a replacement stylus and Shure no longer sells them, so I purchased the M97xE for about the same price as a generic stylus that would be of questionable quality.
I realize that maybe this was a peculiarity or defect in my Type IV, but I don't think so. Well, guess what. Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark" song " Car on a Hill" had a peculiar distortion during a particularly loud high pitched vocal passage near the middle of the song. In short, BUY this cartridge. Even was present on a half speed mastered super disc of the album. I just replaced my 30 yr.
One particular album always bothered me even when the Type IV was almost new. I put in the M97xE , played Car on a Hill.Crystal clear without a speck of distortion. old V15 Type IV with the Shure M97xE.I promise you that this cartridge is every bit the equal of the Type IV. I had decided that it must be inherent to the original record. I don't think you can go wrong, especially at the Amazon price.Music sounds like it should once again. My records sound alive again.
Shure's own test calibration record, new stylus, every type of realignment possible failed to eliminate it.
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