Absolon had a thread looking for replacement stylii for his Shure/Radio Shack RXT6 ( = Shure M111HE), as was I. In fact, searching for info on the RXT6 was the thing that originally led me to AudioKarma's forum. With much searching and frustration, I located and purchased probably the last two genuine Shure N111E's in the USA.

Some research of the various charts showed that the Radio Shack RXT5 and RXT6 Cartridges (and Shure M111E, M111HE) used the N111E and N111HE stylii. They could also use the N105E stylus, as well as the N92E and N94E.

The N105E replaced the N104E, which could replace/upgrade the N92E and N94E (which interchange, too). And several sites list the current N97xE as replacing/upgrading the N94E.

I contacted Mr. Peterson at Shure, and he said the N97xE would not work in the RXT6, yet looking at the various cartridge/stylii substitutions led me to the opposite conclusion.

Since the N97xE looked identical to the N111E and N111HE, I decided to give it a shot. I ordered one. I figured even if it didn't work in my RXT6, I could always buy an M97xE and have a spare stylus.

Well, whaddya know? It plugs right in and works... with NO noticiable difference in sound.

So all you guys looking for N104E, N105E, N111E, N111HE, you can use the current Shure N97xE.

Also, Ed Saunders (ebay ID edsaunders), the fellow with the Swiss made V15 replacement stylii told me he will soon have some N111E replacements.

No applause, no applause, just send money! :D

How about a heartfelt thanks, for increasing the AK knowledge base?

That'll do! Hahahahah!!!

As PAUL C has found the N97xE stlus assembly can be used in the M111 cartridge body.

I tried mine a few days ago and they are completely swapable between them without any adverse affects sonically.

Ed Saunders is selling "refurbished" RS RXT6 and Shure M105E cartridges with N97EJ stylii, so apparently those fit, also.

Radio Shack still has the stylus' for their cartridges. For Shure http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032225&cp=2032057.2032187.2032193&allCount=70&fbc=1&f=Brand%2F1000205%2F&fbn=Brand%2FShure+

Radio Shack still has the stylus' for their cartridges. For Shure http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032225&cp=2032057.2032187.2032193&allCount=70&fbc=1&f=Brand%2F1000205%2F&fbn=Brand%2FShure+

No, they don't. They used to have genuine Shure N105E's. What they have now are the same as those $8 jobbies. They are NOT Shures, but bottom of the barrel junk.

This is the link to their "Shure N105E".

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2131149&cp=2032057.2032187.2032193.2032225&pg=2&allCount=70&fbn=Brand%2FShure&f=Brand%2F1000205%2F&fbc=1&parentPage=family

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2326338w345.jpg

They show a picture of a real Shure N105E, and have changed the wording, which previously said it was genuine Shure. Now they say Shure replacement. I ordered two of these. If they had been real Shure, with the brush/stabilizer, I would have been very satisfied. The previous stylus I had gotten from them was the one shown in the photo.

What they sent me a few month ago was generic junk. And when I complained, they promptly refunded my money IN CASH for the full amount, including shipping. In fact, when the local RS store manager punched it in to her computer she nearly jumped. She stood back from the screen and said "whoa!". I wonder what it said. She didn't just credit my card. She gave me cash for the goods AND shipping. So apparently RS had been getting heat about this.

A week or so later they reworded the website.

Thanks for the headsup about that. A friend of mine was thinking about getting one of them.

I have found what seems to be the most practical, moderate cost, good performing replacement for the Radio Shack RXT5, RXT6, Shure M105E, M110E, M110HE, M111E, M111HE, 1000E, 250HE, M92E, M99E, Me94P, Me96P. While not genuine Shure, it is certainly a good stylus that performs as well as the original. It is listed as hyperelliptical. $44.95 USD... not bad!

This is LPGear's aftermarket replacement for the Radio Shack R16X stylus (N111E). It has the brush/guard/dynamic stabilizer.

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=RSR16X

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/Shure_N97ED.jpg

This is LPGear's replacement for the Shure N97HE and Radio Shack RXT4. This stylus will work on RXT5, RXT6, M111E, M111HE, 1000E, 250HE, etc, if you trim a bit of plastic that interferes. It is also a hyperelliptical, and probably the same as the one listed above but for the plastic to be trimmed.

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LG&Product_Code=SHN097HEL

Same price, $44.95 USD, as the other one above.

I have one of these now and it sounds exactly the same as a very low milage R16X stylus (original Radio Shack stylus on the RXT6) I have recently acquired.

Paul, I have used the JICO version of that stylus--a great stylus, but a bit more expensive and the brush isn't as effective as Shure's original. How is the brush on this one at damping?

Paul,
Great job on your research on this!
I have an RXT6 that's been without a stylus for years. I have a new M97XE cart with stylus. Can I just plug the N97 stylus into the RXT6, or will the stylus have to be trimmed? If I have to trim it, will it still fit into the M97XE?

Thanks
Tom

The M97xE's stylus will plug right into the RXT6 and work well. No trimming at all.

See this thread:

http://audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=126549

And note the posts about the RXT4, which is a rebadged Shure M97ED. My post a little further down shows the part that must be trimmed. The N97ED, N97EJ, and N97HE are similar and like the RXT4's stylus. The M97Ed, M97EJ, and M97HE from the recent Shure M97xE.

The N97xE is very similar to the stylus that originally came with your RXT6, but has an aluminum cantilever. But I think the R16X replacment is a better choice. I have in fact tested and played my RXT6 with a N97xE stylus.

Hakaplan, the brush on the LPGear is very good, and like the older Shures, such as the N97HE.

Thanks for the info!
I'll mount the RXT6 up in my spare head shell and give it a listen.

Tom

One thing I've noticed is that the replacement R97xE's brush produces some noise through the cart as it traces the groove. My old RXT6 never did that. So I just raise the brush when recording. Other than that, I am oh so very happy with it. I have several. This may raise some eyebrows but I like to use this cart on my Garrard Lab A 70 when stacking my " not the best" albums and I let the brush down to help clear the path for the stylus... not that there is much to clear. Oh, concerning the RS replacement. I bought one, tried it, don't waste your $$. :thumbsdn:

Paul,
Great job on your research on this!
I have an RXT6 that's been without a stylus for years. I have a new M97XE cart with stylus. Can I just plug the N97 stylus into the RXT6, or will the stylus have to be trimmed? If I have to trim it, will it still fit into the M97XE?

Thanks
Tom

Thread resurrection! :D

I just found a RXT6 on a thrift store turntable.

Tom, did you ever compare the RXT6 and M97xE using the N97xE stylus? Reach any meaningful conclusions about the comparison?