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Shure V15--A Good Cartridge?

I've noticed that there seems to be violently mixed opinions on the Shure V15. The quotes from reviews are good, but then some people (mostly dealers) don't really seem to like it. One person commented that he thinks it's too bland, another says it's not good for anything but rock because it can't resolve complicated details. At the same time, however, one person (a dealer whom I respect) thinks it's a great cartridge for people with ordinary record collections, and I've heard some people say it's great for classical and jazz, and it does just fine with complicated musical details.

I am not in the market for a V15--now, at least--but I have been really wondering why the opinions are so mixed. Other cartridges seem to be pretty simple--the strengths and weaknesses are well known.
jc2000
avideo
222 posts
 
Just a short note to mention why some dealers "don't like"
the Shure V15. They don't get a big discount on Shure
products if they don't move a serious amount of merchandise.
Shure is one of the commercial audio industry's largest
makers of equipment - with an extensive catalog of equip-
ment that includes microphones of all type, audio mixers,
connectors, cables, field mixers, and much, much more.
Cartridges and associated equipment is just a small part
of their offerings. If they are selling say $20-30K a month
to a large commercial audio dealer; and maybe $1-2K a month
to Joe the Audiophile dealer - guess who gets a serious
discount on their pricing?
readymix
24 posts
 
I am curious what my Audiogon brethren would recommend as the best low mass arm to mate with the Shure. I still use a Grace 707 (20 years old) and would love to be introduced to a current production design that is as good or better.
Thanks. Dan
jonathanbrowned33a
1 posts
 
When I was a student I purchased a used Mapleknoll - which is now in pieces (a subject for another thread - help to build a new plinth!) - I only had a few $ left and bought a Shure V15 - it sounded surprisingly great.
ron12n
3 posts
 
I have been using the V-15 for over 20 years
now. During this period I tried several others
and always went back to the V-15. I currently
have the the VMR version, that will probably be
my last cartridge.

The V-15 is an open sounding cartridge, with
extended, smooth highs that are never shrill. It
tracks just about anything you throw at it. I
have it mounted on a ReVox B-791.

I suspect the reason dealers hate it is that,
at the price, there is nothing that comes even
close to the performance. Since it has always
been very popular -- a commodity product,
almost -- it was widely availabe through mail
order. As a result, profit margin was low.

-- Ron
Post removed 
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