Post by guitardude on Jan 20, 2017 14:33:09 GMT 12
Hi Guys,
it seems to be quite a current thing on AK at the moment to take old, vintage style MM and MI carts and fit them with new usually JICO styli. Anyone here any experience of this ? I have a Pickering XV15, Empire 2000z and Shure V15111 as suitable candidates, but would like to hear of anyones experiences before ordering up large.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2017 15:41:57 GMT 12
Well sir, you know I personally preach a religion of reckless impulsiveness... Hasn't done me any good - but your luck may be better?  You're welcome. 
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Pundit
Post by papahemi on Jan 20, 2017 17:46:06 GMT 12
Yup, I see a lot of cartridge action around, done some myself, but only with NOS stylii, yet to have to shed out $$$ for newly made stuff, but there will come a time. I have three "old" MM/MI cartridges that I run currently: AT95e, V15III, and B&O SP14. I enjoy them all for doing that magic stuff of bringing music from the grooves - if they sound as good or better with a new stylus, go for it, and let us now of your findings.
We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.
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Post by Owen Y on Jan 20, 2017 17:59:27 GMT 12
Yup - I've got a stylus-less V15III too (made the mistake of lending it to a family member  And an Ortofon VMS20E (which may have organ-failure too, by now )
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Post by Graham on Jan 21, 2017 15:14:54 GMT 12
I have a JICO stylus on my Shure V15 iii on my Dual 721, and to my ears it sounds great.
Go for it.
Cheers
Graham
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Jan 21, 2017 21:01:00 GMT 12
My favourite is my Garrott P77 with SAS stylus from Jico.The Technics epc207 with the Jico 205 SAS stylus is a close second.And my Shure V15/3 SAS is very nice as well.Just need to muck around with the capacitance loading to find the best sound.
My Stanton 881 with the Jico shibata sounds great too.Has more surface noise than the others though.Perhaps that's why it's no longer listed!
I bought the P77 years ago from the Garrott brothers.Stopped using it when I thought it had worn out,so was without it for years,until I noticed references on the web about the Jico stylus 1 and decided to chance it.Sounds better than the original stylus (which I still have).And a lot cheaper than buying the replacement from the Garrott agent in Australia,although the new SAS/S version is dearer.
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Post by Graham on Jan 22, 2017 11:00:10 GMT 12
On a similar theme I have recently scored off Trade Me a vintage JVC MD 1016T cartridge that was produced when JVC were heavily committed to 4 channel vinyl.
The stylus on it was stuffed but it just so happens that I have also scored from Trade Me 4 JVC 4DT-10X NOS styli still in their original boxes. Now for those that don't know these are Shibata type with an amazing frequency spread from 10 to 60000 Hz. I'm not interested in their 4 channel ability but they will perform brilliantly for stereo reproduction and fit perfectly on this cartridge.
End result, I now have a Shibata equipped cartridge that owes me the princely sum of $30!!
I have just installed it on my long suffering Dual 721 whose relatively light weight arm suits the high compliance stylus ( 35cu ) perfectly.
last night I spun some Vivaldi concertos with this combination and it sounded wonderful.
Hi Fi doesn't have to cost a fortune.
Cheers
Graham
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Post by Owen Y on Jan 22, 2017 11:01:46 GMT 12
Where do you guys buy your JICOs from?
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Jan 22, 2017 11:40:55 GMT 12
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Jan 22, 2017 12:19:54 GMT 12
I see the 881S Shibata is back on the menu.
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Post by Owen Y on Jan 24, 2017 11:19:57 GMT 12
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Post by guitardude on Jan 24, 2017 14:09:17 GMT 12
Awesome Cartridge that one Owen. I've got the EPC100CMK3 which is the next one up, lower output and even flatter frequency response. smooth and very detailed. Had it since new. Jico have styli available for the 205, and I think Mike from Audioenz had a couple of spare NOS styli he scored off shane cortese's dad.
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Post by Owen Y on Jan 24, 2017 18:11:58 GMT 12
Thanks guitardude - would you have a link to any listing of the various Technics cartridge models? Cheers.
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Post by guitardude on Jan 24, 2017 18:19:11 GMT 12
Hi Owen
No I'm sorry I don't have any info on the technics carts save the frequency response graph and test lp that came with mine. They were very well reviewed at the time in Hifi News & RR. Would have been the early 80s.205 was also fitted as standard on the SL15 linear tracker. A holy grail cart that one Owen.
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Jan 24, 2017 19:13:39 GMT 12
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Post by Owen Y on Jan 25, 2017 14:10:21 GMT 12
Wow thanks guys - ruby or sapphire cantilever, no less. I may have to be prudent first & confirm that this fella hasn't suffered internal organ failure, - with say a regular elliptical/alumin, before springing for an SAS. 
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Jan 25, 2017 17:35:16 GMT 12
Very tempted to try the sapphire SAS for my Garrott P77,but haven't seen any reviews comparing it to the older SAS which was over $100 cheaper!
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Post by guitardude on Feb 3, 2017 9:20:23 GMT 12
Quick update: EVG branded JICO arrived yesterday from Needle Doctor for my Empire 2000Z. Fitted up last night and spun a few tunes. all good. Unfortunately I don't have an original to compare to but tracked cleanly and quietly, no obvious lack of detail or untidiness anywhere, plenty of gain, enjoyably peppy and engaging sound. Lots to enjoy there, now to try and find an SAS or similar type styli for it at a reasonable price. Boy those JICO SAS types have gone up since last I looked !
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Feb 4, 2017 20:44:51 GMT 12
Very tempted to try the sapphire SAS for my Garrott P77,but haven't seen any reviews comparing it to the older SAS which was over $100 cheaper! Well I've done it.Ordered the Stylus 1 SAS with sapphire stylus. Will take up to 6 weeks to arrive.
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Post by guitardude on Feb 7, 2017 13:04:16 GMT 12
Will be very interested to hear your opinion on that when it arrives neilsan.
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Feb 15, 2017 14:27:59 GMT 12
Just been told it's on it's way! In the meantime I picked this up off TMe after my Garrott Decca Gold sold. Just couldn't resist it!  image uploadIt still has the Mk3 stylus in it and sounds great. But must confess the SAS (earlier one) lifts it.Bit brighter,more dynamic and punchier bass.It's also louder,guess that's to do with the magnet? I have an EPC-207 for which I bought the SAS stylus,hoping to run into a 205.Made a big difference to the 207 as well. Next thing to do is compare the 2 with the SAS. And against my Garrott P77 without fitting the new SAS/S. Must say adjusting the SRA by sliding the cartridge with this system makes it so easy!
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Post by guitardude on Feb 15, 2017 15:02:18 GMT 12
Congratulations Neilsan,
Good score. Mr Heathen tempted me with that one on TM, so good to see someone in the family got it.
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Feb 15, 2017 15:18:19 GMT 12
Thanks guitardude.
Stuff,
I think the P77 might have fallen off it's throne!Just playing Famous Blue Raincoat and I've never heard it sound like this!
Wider sound stage and so easy to listen to,even winding it up!!
PS
Does this mean another SAS/S!
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Post by guitardude on Feb 16, 2017 8:05:54 GMT 12
Hi Neilsan,
Re your SRA comment ? The scale on the side of the body is for setting overhang, but you can also set azimuth easily by loosening the collet screw and adjusting. Is this what you meant ? AFAIK SRA is adjusted by setting the VTA. Don't you need a microscope to set SRA ?
What arm are you using it on BTW ?
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Feb 18, 2017 21:24:44 GMT 12
Hi guitardude.You are correct.I couldn't remember the term for setting up the overhang of the cartridge!!
I'm using my FR64fx arm.
Won't be trying out the new sapphire stylus on the P77 until I get the hang of this 205/SAS.It's a bit bright but hasn't been run in yet.
I'm hoping it'll settle down. I remember the P77/SAS being bright to start with.
But it is a marvellous sounding cartridge.
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Post by deano1974 on Feb 18, 2017 21:56:52 GMT 12
Very nice purchase, enjoy brother
Manager & Product specialist at Rapallo AV & HI-FI
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Post by Graham on Feb 19, 2017 12:45:20 GMT 12
I've got one of these Technics EPC-205CIIS - cantilever but no stylus    I see there is an EPC-300MC on Trade Me. Would this be worth pouncing on ?
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Post by Owen Y on Feb 19, 2017 15:38:01 GMT 12
Graham - I have never heard one of these, but some speak highly of Technics MM carts, incl neilsan here above. May be quite long in the tooth now however.
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Pundit
Post by neilsan on Feb 19, 2017 20:37:08 GMT 12
I'm the one selling the 300MC. It's a moving coil cartridge.It does sound great but it has very low output and even my P75/3 had a job amplifying it!
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Post by Graham on Feb 19, 2017 21:07:16 GMT 12
Thanks for the honest reply Neilsan.
My ProJect SE II has 60 dB gain for MC but it sound as though it might be a bit of a struggle.
Cheers
Graham
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