Shure M44-7: What Tracking Force, Anti-Skate and Arm Height for Hi-Fi? (non DJ use)

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by monkboughtlunch, Jul 28, 2014.

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  1. monkboughtlunch

    monkboughtlunch Senior Member Thread Starter

    Location:
    Texas
    Shure recommends 1.5 -3 grams for the M44-7. Has anyone experimented and found the optimal settings for this cart for non-DJ, home listening applications on a Technics 1210 M5G to achieve the best sound and minimize record wear?

    I'm NOT using this cart for DJ scratching applications, but rather I am using it for home listening of vintage 60s records on Technics 1210 M5G.

    What tracking force, anti-skate and arm height settings for Hi-Fi listening? (non DJ use)

    Will 3 grams tracking force cause record wear? Will tracking force just above 1.5 grams be too light and cause inner groove distortion?
     
  2. jlc76

    jlc76 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Austin, TX, U.S.A.
    I have this cart and a M5G. I rarely use it, maybe if I'm going to do a 45 listening section as it's really good with those. I think I keep the tracking around 1.5 and have never had an issue. I set the anti-skating using a blank LP but when in doubt just have it equal the tracking force. As for arm height, I lower the stylus on a record and adjust the tonearm until it's level, it's easy if you use an index card with blue lines on it held flat on the record just behind the tonearm, look through the bottom of the tonearm and adjust until the blue line and tonearm are parallel. As always, experiment with what works best, if you're getting igd then make the tracking force heavier.
     
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  3. JazzPolice

    JazzPolice Well-Known Member

    I recommend the following for this cartridge as I have experience with it:

    Set the tracking force near it's upper limit (3 grams will not cause excessive record wear).

    Turn the anti-skate to zero. You don't need it with the higher tracking forces.

    Set the arm in a position so that the cartridge body is more or less parallel to the lp with a slight tail drag and call it good. This cartridge is not very sensitive to VTA adjustments.

    Not to intrude, but I recommend and suggest the SC35C as a similar animal, but massive sonic upgrade compared to what you are currently using. Just something to think about, that's all.
     
  4. MMM

    MMM Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Lodi, New Jersey
    If you want the lighter tracking version, get the "G" stylus - it's a 0.6 mil though, and lower output.
     
  5. McLover

    McLover Senior Member

    And the G stylus is less brash and more refined sounding.
     
  6. action pact

    action pact Music Omnivore

    Excellent post.

    I've used both an M44-7 and M44G with good results on old records, but I recently switched to using an M78S (exact same body as the SC35C and M35X) with an M35X stylus.

    The M35X is a more refined version of the SC35C, and tracks at 1.5-3 grams. It sounds more open and less bloated than the M44-7/M44G. Supposedly the M35 body was derived from the V-15 Type V!!
     
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  7. Neilson77

    Neilson77 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Nottingham UK
    How would the M44 compare to an Ortofon OM30? Would the sound quality be similar with just poorer tracking resulting in IGD?
     
    Heckto35 likes this.
  8. McLover

    McLover Senior Member

    OM 30 is very different in the tonearms it plays best on and the application and sound quality. Again, the M 44-7, M 44-G and M 35x track well when set up with care and aligned correctly. On real world records. I can track a M 44-7 at 1.75 grams and track most records well on my Audio-Technica ATP 16-T tonearm.
     
  9. bootbox

    bootbox Forum Resident

    Location:
    Fort Wayne, IN
    I ditched my AT33PTG/II for an SC35C, it's really an incredible cartridge.
     
  10. sami

    sami Mono still rules

    Location:
    Down The Shore
    I've also settled with the M35X as my cart for singles and some vintage records, and track it at 2 grams. My V15 Type II with the .3 x .7 elliptical Jico is fortunately outstanding with most older records, so the M35X is mostly relegated to 45's, where it shines.
     
  11. MMM

    MMM Forum Hall Of Fame

    Location:
    Lodi, New Jersey
    If you want to really hear the SC35 sing, get styli from Expert for it. I'd guess a Jico would possibly be nice as well (though I have not heard one of those in that cartridge).
     
  12. bootbox

    bootbox Forum Resident

    Location:
    Fort Wayne, IN
    I've actually got a JICO here but have yet to try it out yet, I'm seriously enthralled with the NOS US made stylus for now. I should check out the JICO this weekend though for sure.
     
  13. thommo

    thommo Senior Member

    Location:
    London, England
    I'm currently running the SC35 with a SAS for most modern records, and putting the Shure original back in (with weight plate blutacked to the headshell) for singles, monos etc. Best of both worlds. :thumbsup:

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. The Pinhead

    The Pinhead KING OF BOOM AND SIZZLE IN HELL

    No to question one. Yes to question two and it might skip on less-than-perfect records. I have the granny of that cart, a NOS, 1977 USA-made M44C; tracking force 3-5 grs. Set it at 3 grs, no record wear, no IGD. Sounds INCREDIBLE. It's my all-purpose cart and I don't feel like upgrading ever. Better sound than my cd player.
     
  15. OcdMan

    OcdMan Senior Member

    Location:
    Maryland
    Does the SAS stylus for the SC35 have the boron cantilever too? I think I'd like to hear an SAS without the boron cantilever for a change. Just curious.
     
  16. thommo

    thommo Senior Member

    Location:
    London, England
    Yes, the SC35SAS uses a Boron rod as cantilever.
     
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