In returning to high-fi from years in the mid-fi wastelands, I've noticed that the economics and availability of cartridges have changed dramatically. In the late 1980s I was content with a Shure V15 III for MM, and a Coral MC-8 for MC. Now I find that neither is produced and support is scarce. Since I will need cartridges, I am certain that I will eventually purchase additional cartridges, or at least cartridge upgrades. But at the present I am uncertain how to proceed, and have the following questions related to my existing cartridges:

1. My Coral cartridge needs at least a new stylus, and maybe a bit of refurbishment. The company, Japanese, seems to have disappeared. I have seen replacement styli offered for the MC-7, but nothing for the MC-8. Is there anyone who services these any more? If so, how good and how expensive is the work? This was a favorite cartridge of mine, and it served me well for so long that I would like to resurrect it.

2. For the Shure V15 III, I have seen replacement styli, but have been uncertain if they are from Shure or aftermarket (or both), and whether they are designed to original specs or to some aftermarket compromise. I've even seen Radio Shack offering some sort of $29.95 replacement stylus. Are these okay? Are there any I should look out for or avoid?

3. I have a Micro Acoustics 530-mp cartridge which was a possible spare. It listed for $200 when it came out in 1972, but was an unusual design. It is absolutely new, still in its original packing. Does anyone have any kind of knowledge related to this cartridge? It claimed to have a user-replacable stylus, but has anyone ever seen these offered?

4. During my mid-fi crisis, I picked up a couple of Audio Technica Z500X cartridges for a basic Technics turntable. I figure these must be renumbered versions of some standard AT offering, but have never been able to figure out the specifics. Anyone have a clue?

5. Finally, what are the state-of-the-art MM cartridges around today? I figure I'll find the best MC cartridges by following the $$$. That won't happen until I determine if my Coral is toast or not.

Any help on any of these would be greatly appreciated.

Hank

I don't know a lot about MC carts, but Denon and Ortofon seem to have a good reputation. A good MM cart is the new Audio Technica AT440MLa for about $90 and the Shure M97xe for less. There are Grados, Ortofons, etc.-do a search. The V15 III is still highly regarded, but avoid Radio Shack or any of the cheapies on eBay. I use a $40 stylus from Ed Saunders who sells on eBay and has a website. Don't buy anything cheaper. People here also buy from JICO, which has a great reputation and are a Japanese company that sells on the internet. They have good service. The carts for the V15 III start at $58 for the basic one. Google JICO stylus. You won't be disapponted in Saunders or JICO. The V15 III is worth keeping and using

Welcome back to vinyl! A great place to be. Today, at the higher end of the MM scale there is the AT150, which I am quite pleased with, and a couple of Ortofons. Both offer an even higher end MM model, but seems silly to me when you are into the realm of good MCs by that point. Go surf around the Needle Doctor's website and you will see good info on the majority of cartridges offered today. IMHO, all are pretty good any more. Just have to buy to your preference as it is difficult to find a shop where you can listen to any of them.

Sound Smith in NY does retipping. I plan on having a Denon DL-303 retipped by them in the fall. Only one other person on AK that I've read any feedback from on them, but it was positive. Don't recall what cartridge they had retipped. SS was at the NYC show last month and have quite a few products that sound good. But no chnace to A/B against anything else. Their retipping runs $150-350, depending on your stylus/cantilever choice.

As stated above. JICO has been getting good reviews on the stylus replacement for the Shure V15III.

This guy in georgia may be able to help you out with old vintage carts he has a lot of new "oldstock"stuff on ebay.
I am in no way affiliated with him (Just had good luck with him)
http://stores.ebay.com/Ed-Saunders-Needles-Cartridges-More

Dave

I don't see his $40 V15 III stylus (VN35E), so check JICO.

The Micro Acoustics 530-mp was a top of the line product with a "micropoint" stylus and tracking at .7 - 1.4g. They are rare. turntableneedles.com has replacement styli but they cost $200.

The ATZ500X looks to be a clone of the AT11E. Is it green? .4 x .7 elliptical tracking at 2-3g.

I second the recommendation for JICO for the V15-III. Their SAS stylus is actually smaller than a microridge and is quite amazing.

I've gotten the JICO replacement's for my V15II, the standard eliptical is wonderful, the more expensive SAS is fantastic. Like Hakaplan says it's way smaller than the original, in my opinion it sounds even better trhat the original.

Thanks to all for the replies so far. It seems the V 15 III is a keeper, since it has some existing life and I can stock up on styli. I'll keep the 530-mp in its box (sounds like it will be worth more to me gone than used, to help pay for the others). I'll have to research the Coral MC to see if anyone can refurb it for me.

As for the AT z500x, it is black and white, and the replacement stylus can be found here:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=ATSZ500X

The only problem is that I have no specs on the cartridge. I don't know whether its worth considering for my better tables.

This cartridge was supposedly an upgrade cartridge for turntables sold by "the Wiz" chain back in the mid 1990's. When they closed down my local store I managed to pick up a handful for $5 each (list price then was close to $100). The cartridge looks like the the AT311 or AT301. The cartridge is currently on a Technics SL-B250 which is "factory adjusted" to track at 1.25 gr. The cartridge, in not being the OEM choice, probably bumps this a bit. It works fine for this application.

I'll have to research the Coral MC to see if anyone can refurb it for me.Did the Sound Smith tell you that they could not?

I don't see his $40 V15 III stylus (VN35E), so check JICO.

He has it on his website: www.edsaunders.com

Thanks to all for the replies so far. It seems the V 15 III is a keeper, since it has some existing life and I can stock up on styli. I'll keep the 530-mp in its box (sounds like it will be worth more to me gone than used, to help pay for the others). I'll have to research the Coral MC to see if anyone can refurb it for me.

As for the AT z500x, it is black and white, and the replacement stylus can be found here:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=ATSZ500X

The only problem is that I have no specs on the cartridge. I don't know whether its worth considering for my better tables.

This cartridge was supposedly an upgrade cartridge for turntables sold by "the Wiz" chain back in the mid 1990's. When they closed down my local store I managed to pick up a handful for $5 each (list price then was close to $100). The cartridge looks like the the AT311 or AT301. The cartridge is currently on a Technics SL-B250 which is "factory adjusted" to track at 1.25 gr. The cartridge, in not being the OEM choice, probably bumps this a bit. It works fine for this application.
Yep, I should have checked lpgear. To ascertain, match the price of the replacement stylus to that of a cartridge you know. AT only made a handful of p-mounts in this style and just renamed them over and over. It is indeed a clone of the AT301EP, also currently sold as the Studio 2002 and the AT91ECD. .4 x .7 elliptical. Specs are here:

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=ATC09&Category_Code=A3

He has it on his website: www.edsaunders.com

Lordy, what a horribly-designed website. I can't find anything there.

I second the recommendation for JICO for the V15-III. Their SAS stylus is actually smaller than a microridge and is quite amazing.


And I will third it, have nothing but high praise for the JICO SAS I have been using in a V15-III.

I've got a crippled V 15 III (bad stylus) as well but cannot affort the JICO SAS right now. Does anyone have experience with the less expensive replacements? I'm guess I would be better off saving my coins and going for the JICO.

The only less expensive replacement I would consider is the Ed saunders $40 version. If you don't want to spring for the JICO SAS one, then buy the "plain" VN35E or VN35HE. The SAS isn't necessarily suitable for anything but high end tonearms and needs to bne fine-tuned. The "regular" models will be fine and are cheaper.

5. Finally, what are the state-of-the-art MM cartridges around today? I figure I'll find the best MC cartridges by following the $$$. That won't happen until I determine if my Coral is toast or not. HankI'm listening to an AT150 at the moment and find it most enjoyable. The Clearaudio Aurum line also receives excellent reviews.

These are both from Ed Saunders' store for the V15 III:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ELLIPTICAL-DIAMOND-STYLUS-SHURE-V15-III-CARTRIDGE-NEW_W0QQitemZ170127158414QQihZ007QQcategoryZ64620Q QtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem $16.95 + $3.00 shipping

http://cgi.ebay.com/ELLIPTICAL-DIAMOND-STYLUS-SHURE-V15-III-CARTRIDGE-NEW_W0QQitemZ170119751263QQihZ007QQcategoryZ3283QQ tcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem $39.95 + Free shipping