gouzos
06-29-2009, 09:32 AM
Does anyone know what this is? It came with a headshell I bought.
It's obviously missing a stylus. I think there was a label that came unglued. The tiny letters say "MADE IN USA".
I don't think it's worth anything but I was wondering.
http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/nn440/gouzos/DSC01222.jpg
http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/nn440/gouzos/DSC01223.jpg
http://i322.photobucket.com/albums/nn440/gouzos/DSC01224.jpg
hakaplan
06-29-2009, 10:49 AM
Looks like a Shure M95 body. Add a new stylus, either ED or HE or whatever you like and you've got a decent, new cartridge.
gouzos
06-29-2009, 11:06 AM
How decent? What modern cart do you think it compares to?
Do you think it's worth it?
What do you think about LPGear or Mantra replacements?
hakaplan
06-29-2009, 11:26 AM
With the ED or HE stylus, it was second only to the V15-III in the late 70s/early 80s. Today the M97xE would be the equivalent, but many consider the M95 to be superior.
I think it's worth it, but I'd recommend the JICO N95HE stylus.
Sam Cogley
06-29-2009, 12:47 PM
Looks to be some glue residue where a piece of trim/nameplate was attached.
gouzos
06-29-2009, 12:54 PM
That sounds like a pretty good cartridge. I'm waiting for an AT440 in the mail, but this would be a nice alternative.
The JICO is a bit expensive though, isn't it? Especially since I don't actually know if the body is damaged or not. Have I understood correctly? These are high quality third party replacements, right?
Google returns LP Gear and their own site. Have you ever bought direct from them?
Do you think it's worth replacing even with the cheaper options?
Any chance of finding a Shure stylus?
boreas
06-29-2009, 01:25 PM
Any chance of finding a Shure stylus?
TurntableNeedles.com sells the original Shure N95HE for $137.99.
John
hakaplan
06-29-2009, 01:30 PM
Cartridge bodies seldom go bad. It's just two coils--no moving parts. There's a way to test, but I can't remember--maybe do a search here.
Turntableneedles sells originals, but they are very expensive because of rarity. The original ED stylus was .2 x .7 nude elliptical. The lpgear aftermarket for $37 is a .3 x .7 elliptical. The JICO is a hyperelliptical for $58. I think that's worth it.
gouzos
06-29-2009, 05:38 PM
I went ahead and ordered it (the JICO). I hope all goes well.
Actually I bought the armwand (TP-62) and hadn't noticed that a cart was to be included.
I found it on the french ebay and while I got the gist of it, my french is very poor and I hadn't realised I'd be getting a cart too.