Big cartridge shootout, well big for me

[grapplesaw]

I have the big TT cartridge test running with 7 TT ‘s through my new selector box connected to a reworked Carver c-4000 through MM2 input

A mighty Thorens 125mkll with a Decca FFsc4 MI cartridge is going direct to the Carver on MM1 input. This will be the reference TT as it is truly beautiful sounding set up

The second MM2 input was the MC input and I modified it to match the MM1 input so basically two MM inputs on this unit. This second input has no capacitance to select in the carver ( I disabled the 5 cap switch I installed when building it) and now have 12 capacitance to choices from on the selector box.

some issues to fix but all going good. It’s never easy right?

now the problem is the Decca!!
I haven’t listen to it for some time. I seam to be sitting here with it playing instead of doing my ABC testing. Oh well I’ll get there. By the way it does sound really good, oh right I already said that.

I have the following on 5 PL 8000 linear tracker’s

Shure v15 4 OEM byrellium cantilever and ? Stylus could be elliptical, hyper or even Micro ridge

shure v15 4 with new micro ridge and boron cantilever

shure v15 4 with cheap elliptical aftermarket

Shure V15 3 with OEM stylus-probably elliptical stylus

Signet TK9 with new line contact nude stylus on tapered aluminum cantilever

also

pioneer pl l1000 linear tracker with

Shure v15 4 and new nude micro ridge on boron cantilever. This is not operating yet

and a pioneer pl-600 long S arm (10”)
It has a pioneer 600 cartridge at this time


cartridges in the line

Stanton EEE 681 MI
Pickering 4000 MM with elliptical needle
Pickering 3000 MM with its special stylus
Technicraft 1000 with conical stylus ( don’t w
right this one off to fast)
Shure 1200hpr
Shure whlb

 

[Skratch]

You're gonna drive yourself crazy

 

[e30m3mon]

I have the big TT cartridge test running with 7 TT ‘s through my new selector box connected to a reworked Carver c-4000 through MM2 input

A mighty Thorens 125mkll with a Decca FFsc4 MI cartridge is going direct to the Carver on MM1 input. This will be the reference TT as it is truly beautiful sounding set up

The second MM2 input was the MC input and I modified it to match the MM1 input so basically two MM inputs on this unit. This second input has no capacitance to select in the carver ( I disabled the 5 cap switch I installed when building it) and now have 12 capacitance to choices from on the selector box.

some issues to fix but all going good. It’s never easy right?

now the problem is the Decca!!
I haven’t listen to it for some time. I seam to be sitting here with it playing instead of doing my ABC testing. Oh well I’ll get there. By the way it does sound really good, oh right I already said that.

I have the following on 5 PL 8000 linear tracker’s

Shure v15 4 OEM byrellium cantilever and ? Stylus could be elliptical, hyper or even Micro ridge

shure v15 4 with new micro ridge and boron cantilever

shure v15 4 with cheap elliptical aftermarket

Shure V15 3 with OEM stylus-probably elliptical stylus

Signet TK9 with new line contact nude stylus on tapered aluminum cantilever

also

pioneer pl l1000 linear tracker with

Shure v15 4 and new nude micro ridge on boron cantilever. This is not operating yet

and a pioneer pl-600 long S arm (10”)
It has a pioneer 600 cartridge at this time


cartridges in the line

Stanton EEE 681 MI
Pickering 4000 MM with elliptical needle
Pickering 3000 MM with its special stylus
Technicraft 1000 with conical stylus ( don’t w
right this one off to fast)
Shure 1200hpr
Shure whlb
View attachment 71297

You know you're a madman, right ?!
But we share your therapy !
Well done, my friend !

 

[laatsch55]

Jesus Glen...

 

[grapplesaw]

First shure v15 3 against the v15 4 beryllium
on two linear trackers playing crime of the century which is a older well produced record and I have two for AB

It seams the 3 has more gain so sounded better off the bat. After tweaking A B with volume changed to similar outputs

3 has more Bass and not as much highs

4 is not bad with full range
3 is winner with slight edge

now going to try 3 against Decca
the 3 again has more bass but missing highs of the Decca

4 beryllium and Decca are very similar but not equal

now the real test with a new 4 micro ridge and decca
you know what I said about the Decca sounding good well this 4 thing knocks it out of the park.
has all the bottom end of the 3 great mids and highs of the Decca

Next is 4 Mr against the 4 beryllium
the Mr has more output similar or better than the No contest against the other two v15’s and overall winner this round is the V15 MR very full throughout


I thought the Decca was good across the board neutral I guess best way to say it
It is 40 years old so not too bad but the new 4 Mr is outstanding

now to the clincher

4MR against the Signet tk9 line contact

both just broke in new stylus.

the signet is a special cartridge . Its hand-wound coils and the new upgraded stylus make it excellent for newer records.

so playing now
The 4MR had way more output so having to adjust volume a bit

The 4MR again has more bottom end but not much. The better separation gives the Signet a slight edge over the 4MR

other records will give different reviews for each cartridge I think

I’m done for today

 

[grapplesaw]

You're gonna drive yourself crazy

Well I think I resemble that remark already

 

[grapplesaw]

I need to use this in my testing as the outputs are so different

 

[mr_rye89]

One helluva shoot out IMO. Now we know what that switch box is for. I also like that 80s/90s entertainment center as a turntable rack.

I’m gonna try out the phono pre in my Carver and see if I like it……

 

[laatsch55]

I need to use this in my testing as the outputs are so different View attachment 71301

Glen, you got all the goodies...

 

[grapplesaw]

Glen, you got all the goodies...

Yea! someone has to do it.

 

[J!m]

You're gonna drive yourself crazy

Too late. And he’s taking us with him.

Approved.

 

[J!m]

I’ve been looking for a Shure V15 V-MR but it seems settling for a IV-MR would not be much of a compromise.

This is also the first direct comparison to the Deca I’ve seen of the Shures.

Good stuff!

 

[Elite-ist]

Glen: That's a record # of turntables available with a turn of the knob through your new phono selector switch box. Lots of work to arrange this cartridge shootout - thanks. A premium stylus on the Shure V-15 IV can make all the difference in the world for performance. Nice to see the V-15 III in the shootout. I have a few turntables using this cartridge.

Nando.

 

[NeverSatisfied]

A man on a mission…..find what sounds best to YOU !!!
A worthy endeavor, especially in a hobby that many just drink the cool aid of others.
The varying output gain is a real obstacle and I found using a SPL meter helpful in getting a more accurate comparison.
Your switch box is the real genius here, not having to setup each cartridge between listening sessions keeps the sound memory fresh and allows instant back and forth comparison.
Well done Glen.

 

[George S.]

Really, really nice! Won't see anything similar done on any other forum. Nice to see all that hands on work and thought that the project shows. Good job! DIY rules!

 

[Elite-ist]

My Pioneer PL-630 turntable has a Pickering XSV/4000 cartridge and I like it alot. So, it will be intersesting to see your findings on the Pickering 4000.

Nando.

 

[grapplesaw]

My Pioneer PL-630 turntable has a Pickering XSV/4000 cartridge and I like it alot. So, it will be intersesting to see your findings on the Pickering 4000.

Nando.

Yes Nando
i have the XSV/3000 and XSV4000..

I will try the 3000 stylus in the 4000 as well

 

[Vynuladikt]

The Shure V15s with Jico Shibata are some of my favorites. Like the Stanton 681 EEE as well. Waiting to see how you rate the comparison.

 

[J!m]

The Shure 3 v Sure 4 is of keen interest to me but I’ll absorb whatever you publish.

This is one of the most useful posts on this site, and I suggest it be made a “sticky” for the future.

 

[grapplesaw]

Jim after a lot of reading from various sources , forums and retippers I went to Andy Kim for the Shure MR boron repair. Email him at needleclinic@gmail.com

he was not cheapest and far from most expensive

here is one of his answers to me

“
solid material boron, sapphire or aluminum is ok for retip but
the tube type cantilever beryllium of a Shure V15 can not be retipped as it will be crushed into particles when you try to retip on it. Boron is the best replacement, and you won't tell any difference in sound anyway.

Repair/Retip will be performed right on my table, nearby Sacramento California,
Unlike other retippers in US (including ebay , they just send customers cartridges to other specialist overseas and it takes several weeks to months back and forth) , none of my repair is farmed out ,
thus very fast turnaround time , mostly 1 day

Paypal invoice will be sent when repair is completed.”

it cost $390 ea with a discount for doing 2 stylus at one time.