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Anyone have an opinion, Jico SAS stylus?

As this is my first post, let me recognize and thank the many 'goners who are so well informed and ready to share their knowledge and experience, and opinions too. I've gained a lot insight when searching the various audio forums and enjoy Audiogon the most.
My system: T/T is a SP-25 in the SH-15B2 base with a Black Widow T/A. I started with, and still have, four large Advents in the early '70's. The other components that count are: Pioneer SX-1980 and 980 receivers, Pio. SG-9500 eq., Pio. CT-F1000 tape deck and a Dual CS-5000 as back-up. Wasatch Cable I/C's. Sony Blu-ray for digital. Nothing to claim bragging rights about, but I'm happy with it. Is sentimentality an audio asset?
Last week I scored on the 'bay. An in-the-box EPA-500 with the A501 pressure gauge, A501H wand and a fresh Shure V15V-xMR cartridge to go with it, very good bang for the $. It fits well with the 70's gear.
I mounted the tonearm today with the xMR on it and was impressed with its midrange smoothness and definition, but cannot bring myself to use it daily. I have three V15-111's with Ed Saunders' excellent replacement styli(i?), but the ellipticals just don't have the finesse of the stereohedron xMR.
Am I expecting too much of these relics if I fit one with the SAS, can I anticipate an upgrade in the type 3's presentation?
One more: Best Buy is now selling LP's, ALL Beatle records are on backorder, about 10% of the rest. 4000+ listed on-line.
For those who read (suffer) through this, I thank you.
Now, what to do with the Black Widow?
timeltel
markd51
761 posts
 
The SAS Stylus for the type III is better than anything Shure ever made for any of thier Cartridges, and with SAS on board the older Shure, you might find it stomps your newer Shure, which by many, was never really that highly regarded anyway.
timeltel OP
830 posts
 
I've been through a lot of cartridges (40 years worth) but keep coming back to the Type 3. After auditioning the xMR, I replaced it with a M97xE I had laying around. The overall impression was that it had a slightly muddy bottom end but costwise compares well. Some of the things I've enjoyed with the t3 is its lack of shyness in the bass, the treble is crisp and dynamic, transitions are spot on, but voices can at times be somewhat brittle. No coloration anywhere. Taking your experience into account, I'll try the SAS, but only one (they aren't cheap) for comparison to the ellipticals. Thanks for your reply.
markd51
761 posts
 
I think you'll be very happy with the performance the SAS Stylus gives on the V-15 Type III. This ultra tiny Stylus seems to bear much resemblence to what is used on the top end MC Cartridges, for example, like what's on a ZYX Cartridge.

I have bought one for my own Type III. The SAS will perhaps be a little more touchy on set up, but will be worth the effort. Other things I'd like mentioning, is the nude SAS Stylus is bonded to a Solid Boron Cantilever, which appears to be sleeved onto the remainder of stock Cantilever going into the Cantilever Holder Assembly.

They can be ordered direct from Jico in Japan, but if you're in the USA, then LP Gear is a better option, they cost slightly less at LP Gear, and shipping times of course will be quicker.

The one quality I've usually experienced with many Shure Cartridges, is they are a little noisy in the groove. The SAS Stylus should lower this groove noise, typical to how other fine Cartridges perform using a Line Contact-Micro Line Stylus. Mark
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