Shure M97xE High-Performance Magnetic Phono Cartridge
The M97xE is a superbly tracking, neutral, smooth-sounding magnetic cartridge, designed to provide long hours of undistorted, easy listening, without fatiguing the ear or tiring the mind. This cartridge is able to accurately reproduce very difficult musical passages, particularly in the high-frequency range, where audio modulations are the smallest and most concentrated, and stylus tip movement is consequently the most rapid. Its highly precise tracking ability and flat frequency response are made possible by Shure's unique Type II low-mass thin-wall aluminum alloy stylus cantilever, combined with a precision-crafted, finely polished, elliptical diamond tip. PRODUCT FEATURES: Tone Arm Mount - Standard 1/2 inch; Cartridge Type - Moving magnet; Dynamic Stabilizer damper / de-statcizer; Die cast aluminum mounting block; Side Guard stylus protection system; Shure Type II - Very low mass; Heat-treated aluminum alloy / tubular; 1.0 mil wall thickness / 20 mil diameter; Polished natural gemstone; Elliptical.The M97xE includes the following accessories: Headshell Screwdriver; Stylus cleaning brush; User Guide; Mounting hardware; Stylus guard.
Shure M97xE High-Performance Magnetic Phono Cartridge Accessories
 Shure SFG-2 Stylus Tracking Force Gauge
Stanton H4-S Replacement Headshell
Audio-Technica AT-PL120 Professional Direct-Drive Turntable
TECHNICS SL-1200MK2 Turntable
Ion TTUSB Turntable with USB Record
N97XE Replacement Stylus for M97xE Cartridge
Stanton Record Cleaner Kit
Technics Quartz Synthesizer Direct-Drive Turntable
AudioQuest LP record clean brush
Numark TTUSB Turntable with USB
Shure M97xE High-Performance Magnetic Phono Cartridge Reviews
For the money this is the best buy I ever had. The Shure was easier to install on my Revox B791 and the sound is great( not as detailed as the Samba) but more full and well ballanced with better bass. Do not skip getting the replaceble needle.WHo knows how long they will be arownd at that price. Just replaced a less than a year old Orto Samba $250(can not change the needle on Samba).
It is broken in now and I have a hard time deciding between it and the AT95E. The brush also does a good job of cleaning the track before the stylus comes across. I really like the sound of this Shure. I picked up the Shure M97xE to use as a back up to an AT95E. Well worth the purchase price.
But it persisted, although slightly reduced, with my Acoustic Research speakers installed. The M97xE is not as warm sounding as the Grado (forgotten the model, but retailed around $100.00 in 1981) I owned, but it does have better high freq. Technics SL1200MKII Turntable. response, and it certaily does track better.
This translated to a very irritating midrange edginess/harshness that I could not tolerate. Finally, I've read that some have claimed the cartridge to be somewhat dull sounding. To me the cartridge displayed the sonic detail reminescent of a mid-range cd player, at least in my system. Equipment List:.
But the AV shop where I worked didn't carry Sure. Onkyo M504/P304 Amp/Preamp. Back when I bought the AT, I really wanted to get a V15, again, based on all of the favorable reviews. To that I will have to agree. I am not one of them. So, when I won a sales contest that covered the cost of the AT I hesitantly bought it without hearing it, nor reading anything about it.
However, this cartridge completely lacked the midrange sweetness and detail that I am used to. The soundstage was someshat restricted compared to the other cartridges I've owned, but it seemed more precise. The base is decent and tight, and after much fiddling aroung with the TF/VT/AS adjustments I was able to get the mids to a point where I could stand them at lower levels. Well, I count that as a huge stroke of luck, as I have absolutely loved the AT compared to the other cartridges I've owned, and, if the M97 is any indication of the performance of the V15 (I've read that it has similar qualities), then I am very glad that I didn't throw down the considerable amount of cash for one back then. I would describe the as significantly less "live" than the AT.
Obviously, there are many fans of the M97. Acoustic Research 328PS/Martin Logan Preface Loudspeakers. Audioquest Cables Midrange instrumentation and vocals lacked detail and was very forward. I even switched out my new Martin-Logan Preface speakers, thinking that they were too bright and were causing the problem.
I chose this cartridge to replace my AT PC440LC on a new Technics SL1200MKII based on the many positive reviews I've read on the net. It definately lacks the guttural involvement. Sonically, I'm more inclined to compare this to the Ortofon M20FL that originally came with my Dual CS-622 turntable, except the Ortofon had better midrange detail.
My 25 year old Shure V15 type IV needed a replacement stylus and Shure no longer sells them, so I purchased the M97xE for about the same price as a generic stylus that would be of questionable quality. Very happy with the performance, quality and sound of this cartridge.
Well, guess what. I put in the M97xE , played Car on a Hill.Crystal clear without a speck of distortion. Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark" song " Car on a Hill" had a peculiar distortion during a particularly loud high pitched vocal passage near the middle of the song. I just replaced my 30 yr. I had decided that it must be inherent to the original record.
Shure's own test calibration record, new stylus, every type of realignment possible failed to eliminate it. In short, BUY this cartridge. I realize that maybe this was a peculiarity or defect in my Type IV, but I don't think so. Even was present on a half speed mastered super disc of the album. old V15 Type IV with the Shure M97xE.I promise you that this cartridge is every bit the equal of the Type IV.
I don't think you can go wrong, especially at the Amazon price.Music sounds like it should once again. One particular album always bothered me even when the Type IV was almost new. My records sound alive again.
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