New Cart choice! Shure V15V w Jico SAS, or Nagaoka MP-150

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by ThorensSme, Jun 13, 2018.

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  1. ThorensSme

    ThorensSme Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Spokane
    Good folks of the forum, I am looking for a little advice here. I have a Shure V15V laying around and I would like to go back to MM for awhile as my Ortofon Quintet is nearly used up. Everything I have read about the Nagaoka is also intirguing me. The Nagaoka MP-150 is what I am looking at in addition.

    If you were to choose between resurrecting (what I believe to be a still perfectly working) Shure V15V body with the Jico SAS or trying something new withe Nagaoka what would you do and why? I have a feeling either would be a fine choice.
     
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  2. Benzion

    Benzion "Cogito, ergo sum" Forum Resident

    Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
    I'd go with Shure, first - the JICO situation is uncertain, SAS styli go in and out of production, they're kept artificially scarce, and thus keep getting more expensive. Get one now, while you still can. There's no shortage of Nagaoka's, they're all in current production and plentiful supply, so you can always get one later.

    EDIT: Should you decide otherwise - I'd love to buy your V15 V from you.
     
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  3. PhxJohn

    PhxJohn Forum Resident

    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    SAS are readily available from LPTunes:
    Search Results

    LpTunes is THE North American distributor for JICO.
     
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  4. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    The AT VM540 is a better choice (imo). Shure carts sound like mud.
     
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  5. Steve Baker

    Steve Baker Forum Resident

    Location:
    Columbia, Maryland
    I have the V15 V w/ JICO SAS and it is a great cart. SAS took it to another level. Nagaoka's are plentiful. V15 V w/ stylus are getting harder to obtain.
     
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  6. allied333

    allied333 Audiophile

    Location:
    nowhere
    You bet the AT VM540ML is a better choice. It walked all over the MP-110. The MP-150 could not be that much better.
     
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  7. Benzion

    Benzion "Cogito, ergo sum" Forum Resident

    Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
    Respectfully disagree. Have a NOS M97HE - sounds wonderful to my ears.
     
  8. Chris Schoen

    Chris Schoen Rock 'n Roll !!!

    Location:
    Maryland, U.S.A.
    I have heard a Shure cart that was crisp.
     
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  9. Benzion

    Benzion "Cogito, ergo sum" Forum Resident

    Location:
    Brooklyn, NY
    We're also comparing apples and oranges. The Nagaoka's 110/150 sport a 4 x 7 elliptical stylus, whereas the AT 540ML sports a micro-line one. If OP's arm has all the necessary adjustments and he has the determination and skill to futz with the setup of an ML cart - it may be a good choice. If he wants an out-of-the box goodness w/o much PITA - Nagaoka will do the job admirably.

    But I'd still go with the Shure/Jico first, which I did, BTW - bought an M97Xe the day Shure announced discontinuation of phono business, and a Jico SAS a few days later.
     
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  10. ThorensSme

    ThorensSme Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Spokane
    Thanks for the input thus far. I have been setting up cartridges for many years now. My SME 309 should be able to handle any MM I want to throw at it.
     
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  11. SteelyNJ

    SteelyNJ Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Jersey, USA
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  12. PhxJohn

    PhxJohn Forum Resident

    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
  13. Jimi Floyd

    Jimi Floyd Forum Resident

    Location:
    Pisa, Italy
    Shure+ Jico SAS all the way. The Nagaoka 150 is not on par with a V15/SAS, and those ATs sound so thin...
     
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  14. Jelloalien

    Jelloalien Stylus Genie

    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
    i love Nagaoka, but in this case unless you are bumping up your budget to go with a Nagaoka Mp200 (or higher) i'd think the jico SAS option would be the most cost effective, and still sound phenominal
     
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  15. Jelloalien

    Jelloalien Stylus Genie

    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario
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  16. Thomas_A

    Thomas_A Forum Resident

    Location:
    Uppsala, Sweden
    Shure V15V with original SAS, boron cantilever. I found the boron measurably and audibly better than the neoSAS.
     
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  17. ThorensSme

    ThorensSme Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    Spokane
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  18. I'd go with the Shure and find an original new replacement stylus. An aftermarket replacement stylus will sound different, but not necessarily better.
     
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  19. H8SLKC

    H8SLKC Forum Resident

    Location:
    Boston, MA
    Hmmm, your opinion stated as fact.

     
  20. H8SLKC

    H8SLKC Forum Resident

    Location:
    Boston, MA
    I really believe that you should go for the Nagaoka, and I'll take the old, beat-up and tired Shure off of your hands. :)
     
  21. I would add that when a cartridge manufacturer makes a cartridge and equips it with their own dedicated stylus, that is the sound they expect that cartridge to make. If you switch to a different brand of stylus or even a different stylus of the original brand which will fit your cartridge, it will always sound different. You may not like the different sound. I feel that some don't know what they are listening to or may have buyer's remorse after blowing a wad on anything, so they tell everyone that what they bought is the best there is, so as not to appear stupid. If any cartridge manufacture thought that a Jico stylus made their cartridge sound better, they'd either copy the Jico stylus or equip their cartridges with a genuine Jico stylus. Stick with the original, it's often the best(and wisest economical choice).
     
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  22. Helom

    Helom Forum member

    Location:
    U.S.
    Get the boron version SAS from LP Gear:
    Jico SAS upgrade for Shure N97xE stylus - For US, Canada & Americas only

    Getting the best from this combo requires very precise alignment, but the rewards are worthwhile. IMO, it retains the good aspects of the Shure sound (lush mids) and dispenses with all the negatives. When properly aligned and mated to worthy components, the upgrade is more akin to stepping up about 3 price classes, not merely adding more top end to an average cart.
     
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  23. SteelyNJ

    SteelyNJ Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Jersey, USA
    No dang. The "regular" SAS is not sold out and some (like Thomas_A above) have said it's better.

    You've solicited plenty of opinions. Make a decision and see what happens. There's no "right" answer except for your thoughts after you've pulled the trigger and come to your own conclusions. Best of luck!
     
    macster likes this.
  24. SteelyNJ

    SteelyNJ Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Jersey, USA
    The OP has a V15V, not an M97xE which is what you're referring to. Link is Jico SAS upgrade for Shure VN5MR stylus - For US, Canada & Americas only
     
  25. Helom

    Helom Forum member

    Location:
    U.S.
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