I removed my old Shure cartridge from my tiny Realistic (yeah, I know) turntable. I installed the Ortofon OM55E on the tonearm, balanced it and plopped on Herb Alpert's 'Rise' album. WOW! This little cartridge is every bit of clean and neutral as they review it to be. I've heard more expensive carts and I really think my little Ortofon, for an entry-level cartridge, sounds really nice and clean. The elliptical stylus really makes a difference esp. on old records. I played 'Get A Job' by the Sillhouettes, an old 45 from the 50s my dad had since he was young. This record is in really bad condition but the ortofon really brought the music out over the hiss and the noise.