It's interesting how the frequency residence graph is really reflected in the sound of each cartridge. For me, the Ortofon has more timbre and less air than the Shure. But that timbre might give the impression of listening to music rather than a recording.
Definitely the 2M Black. More defined, better highs, clearer bass, quite surprised. I have one and really like it. The EDR 9 is very close, and depending on the system, may sound better. Great video! Both cartridges are outstanding sonically.
The Empire EDR.9 frequency response is flat, while the 2M Black is slightly depressed in the mids and tipped up in the mid-to-upper treble. The Empire sounds natural and musical, while the Ortofon sounds slightly harsh (most clearly heard with massed strings). Some of the best carts ever made came just before the dawn of the CD era, and the EDR.9 is one of them.
I have an EDR.9 with two basically-new stylus assemblies and it sounds dramatically different depending on which one I use. Either age related suspension issues or questionable quality control- but it's hard to really say with a cartridge that's 40 years old. With one of the styluses on it, it's among the better sounding carts I own (and I own many). With the other, it's too edgy/bright.
I've never liked the idea of a brush mounted onto a cartridge. It adds unwanted mass, in some cases it tends to steer the stylus as the brush fibers follow the groves. The biggest issue is it follows the stylus rather than preceding it. The stylus hits the dust, and the brush largely just moves the dust elsewhere. Much better to clean the disc before use. Or play a FLAC file, probably a better choice overall.
Thank you for your videos! I found a Shure M97 era 4 at a thrift store mounted on an Akai table. Deck was Mint and the cartridge appeared new. Under a scope, I believe it is new. Sold the table, but kept the cart. Haven't tried it yet on a good deck. IMO the Shure (in the video) comes across Fuller, "rounder" and warmer. Maybe less analytical, to me more fleshed out and fuller. Any info on the Shure M97 era 4? Thanks for the wealth of info.
If you only see the distortion numbers you will be upset. 10% for the 2nd harmonic is normal value. The professional quality Shure V mark3 has 2% 2nd and 0.5%3rd 3%IMD.
The Pickering cartridge is identical to the old style street cleaners we used to have in Winnipeg, Canada, the side to side front mounted spinning brush was perfect for small open areas and ideal for parking garage cleaning as well.
I purchased an XLM MkII improved along with a new stylus on the strength of the ADC's on this channel. I'm truly astounded at the quality of replay this cartridge produces, there are some areas where it outperforms the two moving coil designs I own, I think voice reproduction is among the best I've heard regardless cartridge of type.
The most detailed, concise, audiophile videos, plain and simple. I just got an SAS boron for my V15 3. I need to pay attention to the "rake angle" and adjust the arm height and VTA. A bit of a pain in the ass, but worth it. Thanks a million V.T. !!
the M97 he era IV ... it's the minor sister of the shure v15 iv ... same sound of the v15 iv, but a little less accurate, very flat response, best sound with a tracking force of 1,25 grams +0.5 dynamic stabilizer...I'v got both of them , but sometimes I prefer the M97 with blues and rock music... on the other hand , the shure v15iv is my favourite with classical music , chamber music and great orchestra music , because it has more control and more accuracy of the sound than the m97 ...if you use both of them, anyway, you can play music 24 hours a day without being tired, and this is a sign of a very low distortion and clean sound... these are my definitive cartridges , after using 681EEE, DL160, DL103, XSV3000 , OM30, sumiko blue point...
I’ve been using the Super OM30 for years, later the Super OM40 and the Shure V15 with a jico stylus. The minute I listened to a moving coil cartridge I could not go back, all my MM cartridges are now safely stored out of use
I had the opposite experience. Played with fancy LOMCs for years, then went back in time to the top of the heap in vintage MMs (Signet TK-100lc) and it absolutely slayed all those horribly tracking, bright, a-musical LOMCs. The OM-30 I had sucked, and my V-15vmr is so neutral as to be dull but they don't speak for all MMs.
