Post by paradigmE on Jan 22, 2013 22:59:29 GMT -5
For what its worth - Review comments on a expensive replacement stylus for a very outdated cartridge. (likely useless to everyone other than someone who googles Shure M55E 4 years from now.)
So I have a recently new to me refurbished 1952-54 Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr L-34 in a lovely oak plinth. Came with a @1976ish era Shure M55E. I fell in love with the TT at my used record store and had to buy it, despite it being the total opposite of what I should have purchased. Dont regret a thing as I think just the conversations the TT has caused has been worth it so far!
Fast forward to a few months of happy enjoyment with the table and came time to decide new cart vs OEM stylus vs "stupid expensive possibly waste of time upgraded stylus options for this old cartridge". Due to drawbacks with this old TT, its not meant to be my main TT and kind of just to get me until I invest in a more quality TT and then remain as my "vintage table". This has led me to be cautious throwing cartridge upgrades at this TT. So the safe, cautious correct decision was to just buy the cheap replacement stylus for the M55E at like $25 or the slightly upgraded aftermarket options up to about $50. Decided to buy the stock oem and while placing the order accidentally found this JICO Super Analog Stylus options for GASP - $140 for the stylus. Couldn't find enough real information to justify the purchase but threw caution to the wind and rolled the dice anyway. Its NOT that expensive and who knows, maybe it will help buy me a few more months of enjoyment on the old table.
So I ordered in the end a JICO S.A.S Stylus replacement for my Shure M55E.
Upon opening it up. I realized - WHAT HAVE I DONE. In no way shape or form should I Chris, be allowed to own such a delicate tiny tiny tiny tiny stylus, much less on a non automatic TT. I'm way too uncoordinated to own this....or even take it out of the package.
After removing the old stylus, which 30 minutes before seemed like a delicate little piece of metal, but now looked like a truck compared to the SAS stylus.
After installation of the SAS all I can think of is:
1) I need to order the OEM stylus just to compare to the Stylus I removed. As now I can only just assume its BEYOND broken and worn down to nothing - as with the SAS replacement it sounds like the blankets have been removed from my speakers.
2) Its not just my perfect vinyl that sounds better. There is no doubt that the SAS is pulling out content of the grooves that the old worn cartridge simply was not being read.
THE BAD.
Well.....so.......I have already been battling vibrations with my setup, and this old table...and this was NOT a turn in the right direction(surprise!)......lets just say that this stylus upgrade has pushed me well into total breakdown of functionality.....being that only quiet listening can be done live now. Otherwise any thing I want to play loud, is first captured into external A>D 24/96 then into via SPDIF masterlink and 24/96 AIFF files.
Time to get a more proper turntable, but will certainly enjoy this SAS stylus on the ROK for many many years to come....or cough....the 500 hours that the stylus is good for.........oh that's right....I will have likely damaged it long before I reach that mark
Pictures - I guess if anything I should take a photo of the pretty turntable. Didnt plan ahead on that one but will fix.
So I have a recently new to me refurbished 1952-54 Rek-O-Kut Rondine Jr L-34 in a lovely oak plinth. Came with a @1976ish era Shure M55E. I fell in love with the TT at my used record store and had to buy it, despite it being the total opposite of what I should have purchased. Dont regret a thing as I think just the conversations the TT has caused has been worth it so far!
Fast forward to a few months of happy enjoyment with the table and came time to decide new cart vs OEM stylus vs "stupid expensive possibly waste of time upgraded stylus options for this old cartridge". Due to drawbacks with this old TT, its not meant to be my main TT and kind of just to get me until I invest in a more quality TT and then remain as my "vintage table". This has led me to be cautious throwing cartridge upgrades at this TT. So the safe, cautious correct decision was to just buy the cheap replacement stylus for the M55E at like $25 or the slightly upgraded aftermarket options up to about $50. Decided to buy the stock oem and while placing the order accidentally found this JICO Super Analog Stylus options for GASP - $140 for the stylus. Couldn't find enough real information to justify the purchase but threw caution to the wind and rolled the dice anyway. Its NOT that expensive and who knows, maybe it will help buy me a few more months of enjoyment on the old table.
So I ordered in the end a JICO S.A.S Stylus replacement for my Shure M55E.
Upon opening it up. I realized - WHAT HAVE I DONE. In no way shape or form should I Chris, be allowed to own such a delicate tiny tiny tiny tiny stylus, much less on a non automatic TT. I'm way too uncoordinated to own this....or even take it out of the package.
After removing the old stylus, which 30 minutes before seemed like a delicate little piece of metal, but now looked like a truck compared to the SAS stylus.
After installation of the SAS all I can think of is:
1) I need to order the OEM stylus just to compare to the Stylus I removed. As now I can only just assume its BEYOND broken and worn down to nothing - as with the SAS replacement it sounds like the blankets have been removed from my speakers.
2) Its not just my perfect vinyl that sounds better. There is no doubt that the SAS is pulling out content of the grooves that the old worn cartridge simply was not being read.
THE BAD.
Well.....so.......I have already been battling vibrations with my setup, and this old table...and this was NOT a turn in the right direction(surprise!)......lets just say that this stylus upgrade has pushed me well into total breakdown of functionality.....being that only quiet listening can be done live now. Otherwise any thing I want to play loud, is first captured into external A>D 24/96 then into via SPDIF masterlink and 24/96 AIFF files.
Time to get a more proper turntable, but will certainly enjoy this SAS stylus on the ROK for many many years to come....or cough....the 500 hours that the stylus is good for.........oh that's right....I will have likely damaged it long before I reach that mark
Pictures - I guess if anything I should take a photo of the pretty turntable. Didnt plan ahead on that one but will fix.
