Accurate response, great tracking ability, very easy on the vinyl, and a relatively low price.

As Rick said in the previous review it's a bit "dry". (Is that just the flat response I'm hearing? Hmm...)

Just a quick disclaimer! I'm not the "Matt S." from two posts down. I did live in Owings Mills last year but that doesn't make me guilty! That guy needs to calm down...

Well, I really like the Shure product. I'm not using it on the best equipment but it gets the job done. I'm mainly interested in its tracking ability and its ability to get deep in the groove. Probably the reason it always seems to make my old records sound fresh. Great step up from the $100 Audio-Technica I've used in the past. I can live with the dryness...for now!

Flat frequency response. Tracking. Lack of distortion. Low record wear. Separation.

Reviewing a cartridge is not an easy task. However, there are certain things for which I look in a cartridge, and the Shure performs well in each of these areas. First, the cartridge sounds neutral. It recalls live performances. It has better-than-adequate detail and soundstage, and lacks the coloration that many cartridges bring to the listening room. In addition, this cartridge does not mis-track on highly modulated passages, and it preserves the life of the recording. Mis-tracking makes a record unlistenable. The Shure avoids the problem.

Overall, the Shure is a practically engineered product. It meets most needs flawlessly. It's not finicky about the recordings it will reproduce. It does not require specialist "retipping." The Shure is designed clearly to provide reliable, musical, and non-fatiguing service.

Is it perfect? There are moments when I think the Grado provides a more three-dimensional image ... but there are far more moments when the Grado's lack of high frequency tracking (and yes, I did use the Protractor) and hum (when it gets toward the motor of my VPI turntable) made it just intolerable. The Blue Point images as well as the Shure, but just cannot track without distortion nearly as well.

The system in which the Shure is working, by the way, includes a Conrad Johnson PV10AL preamp, a McIntosh 240 power amp, and Magnapan 1.5 speakers. I also use a VP19HW Jr turntable, Rega arm, and Kimber cables.

The Shure is a product I'd recommend to anyone who wants a very musical cartridge that can play just about anything, leave the records intact, and preserve one's ears.

Similar Products Used:

Grade Gold. Sumiko Blue Point.

Good Tracker, Neutral, Fantastic stylus at this price point, Stabiliser or brush

None at the Price Point

This is obviously an interesting cartridge judging from the different views and strong opinions. My guess is that some of the frustration towards this cartridge can be contributed to improper installation or set-up or the turntable arm combination might just not have been up to getting the best out of the V15.

Also interesting is the tendency to compare the V15 to much higher priced MC cartridges. Not surprising as I have found the V15 to be that good and that one tend to compare it to higher priced cartridges. One should not forget that at this price point the V15 will most probably give the user more than expected. Enough editorial comment.

I have found the V15 to be as good as you allow it to be. Using the wrong amplification will undermine the detail ability of this cartridge for example.

Mine is installed on a heavily modified Thorens TD166 MKIV with RB250 arm. All possible settings are optimized and include things like turntable suspension, VTA and VTF.

I use a combination of integrated amplifiers in bi-amp mode, AudioLab 8000A as pre-power and 8000S a power only. Yes it is correct, I have found that the 8000A is better as pre-amp, mainly because of its ability to be completely neutral and its strengths to reveal the source for what it is. The 8000A also has a fantastic ability to portray good pace and rhythm if available on the input. I use the Lehman Black Cube as separate phono input stage.

Herewith a list of the major strengths I have found with the V15:

Neutrality - no coloration of the sound at all, it simply portray what was recorded.
Fantastic deep and well defined bass, which on good recordings add very musical pace and rhythm.
Very revealing treble ability, the amount of detail available in the Treble can only be appreciated with good auxiliary equipment, i.e. amplification and speakers.
Its strength in reading what is on the LP with regards Treble also helps to create a good sound stage, and pace and rhythm.
Its flat frequency response is an absolute please in the mid band. This contribute to a natural presentation of especially acoustical instruments.
I have found the V15 to be particularly strong with classical music. Complex pieces are well handled and individual instruments stay well separated and defined.
Tracking ability is a absolute bonus.
The fine line type stylus contributes to complete background silence and on good LP's it is amazing how quiet the background becomes.

At this price point I will strongly recommend the V15 to anybody.

Similar Products Used:

Ortofon MC25FL, Benz MC Gold, Grado Platinum Wood

Excellent tracking,flat frequency response

Dull highs,lack of dynamics and bass punch,not very detailed,imaging just OK

I owned and used this cartridge (oldr vmr type) from 1985 to 1990.This was the last moving magnet cartridge I ever owned,and probably the last I ever will own.I bought it because the "great" Stereo Review magazine gave it a hearty "thumbs up" for its specs and tracking ability.Like some of the others here,I found out that great specs do not automatically mean great sound.I replaced mine with a Blue Point when the cantilever got bent.The Blue Point beat it in detail,dynamics,bass punch,air,and imaging- and it cost less than a new stylus for the Shure ($90 at that time).Don't get me wrong;the Shure is not bad by any means- it's just not the best in the world as some of the spec worshippers want you to believe (including a poster from Maryland on this site).And,for the record,there ARE moving coil cartridges with good tracking capability (perhaps not up to the Shure) and FLAT frequency response (Benz Glider is such an example)that also have more air,detail,dynamics and image better.I have to give the Shure 3 stars- not bad,but you can do better even for the price.The Shure would probably work best in a slightly bright,analytical system but should be avoided in a system that is already lacking in highs,dynamics or doesn't have excellent imaging capability.

Similar Products Used:

Sumiko Blue Point,Sumiko Talisman Alchemist,Benz Glider