Shure SC35C... Highly recommended

[Bran Kulez]

ld wrote:...From my point of view, the real opportunity here lies in the original spec SC35C. A decent performing MM conical, supporting a relatively high VTF and heavy arm. That's the thing of merit and beauty, which is at risk of being overlooked, I figure. That's what you can't obtain with SAS substitutions.

Personally I see merit in 3-5g tracking with a quality MM conical. I use this configuration for some of my collection, and it sounds right....

I now see what you mean... and thanks to flavio81 for starting this thread, I've been wondering why these heavy trackers are still available.

[pchap]

I have an SC35C with an M70EJ stylus which tracks securely at 1.75g on the HFS75 test disc and I'd have to say the sound is quite staggering, very open and 3D, rather than using Hi-Fi speak for its sound, I'd have to say that it sounds life like and is a huge improvement on the original spherical stylus, which required 4.0g on HFS75 lateral modulation tracks.

The original reason for trying it was that as the first post says the spec. has more in common with the V15v than an M97 or even the M70. I might be reading to much into the spec. but it would make sense for Shure to make use of the V15v design for the DJ market as an upgrade to the M44-7 and that left me wondering how good it would be with a more Hi-Fi friendly elliptical stylus, plus Shures have always been good at reduced record wear.

If you have an SC35C cartridge I would urge you to get hold of an M70EJ stylus, or if you want a good cartridge for a low cost have a look on ebay for one a DJ is selling and spend the money on a nos M70EJ stylus. Just how much a Jico or Ed Saunders stylus would improve on this hopefully I'll let you know.

[Ldg]

I see the thread got a nudge..........

I recently came across an EMT950 transcription TT, equipped with a bona fide SC35C original cartridge and stylus as part of the BBC sell off in London. So the SC35C was actually used in original form on a fairly iconic TT as part of broadcast standard audio.

So the original stylus is capable of good things, if its in good condition along with the suspension of course, and on the right arm. And 4g continues to be fine for me, for good reasons, as I've posted on over various threads.

[sergio_s]

I have two of these cartridges used on my 1200's for mixing.

When it comes to listening I always used the AT95e, and never let the SC35C to touch the grooves of my "not mix" records.

I'm frightened concerning those 4grams, but I have to say that among my dj needles the SC35c gave me good results regarding back-cueing record wear. Surely better than Ortofon's and spherical Stanton models.

However, do you think that I should give a chance to the SC35C also for listening purpose?
Or it would be better to fit in an elliptical stylus like M70EJ?

I find hard to define the SC35C as Hi-Fi model, because of its popularity as Broadcasting/DJ tool.

But it is only a prejudice.

[mrrye_89]

Another Shure SC35C fan reporting in. I'm using a new (Mexico) produced cart on a Jelco SA-370H/Sumiko MMT(with oil damping), in a Sumiko-style 14 gm headshell, mounted on a very torquey Rek-O-Kut B-12 Idler drive turntable. Dat Bass!!!

tracking at 5 grams (i think!) and with the cart loaded at 68K instead of 47K.

[Virak]

Do you guys think the SC35C would be a good match for a fluid damped SME 3012 Series II?
It would be nice to have a good "beater" cartridge for my TD-124MkII (when I've gotten around to restoring it).

[pbinpb57]

Man this thread has legs. I recently came across a NOS SC35C and found that an N95xx fits perfectly if you remove the stylus guard. To my middle aged ears this combination sounds very nice, very refined.

Cheers

[AndyV]

... I have a feeling that it might be possible to cover all the V bottomed shure cartridges with 3 bodies.... High inductance (M97 - 700mH), mid inductance (1000e - 520mH), low inductance (SC35/V15Vx - 420mH) ...

V15V-x and SC35/M35 have same electrical specs, well known.
Question: Has anybody definitely confirmed that the inner design is also identical, i.e. the yokes?
My V15 III, IV and V have a laminated core. My M35 and SC35 bodies have the simple version, made of bent sheet metal pieces, like M95, M75, etc. (see pics)
I don't have a V15V-x to check it.
Proposition: If the V15V-x also contains the simple (cheaper) design, which I assume, then V15V (w/o x) and maybe even the V15-IV/III are the better cartridges.

Maybe this point has already been cleared somewhere, but up to now I have not found an unambiguous statement.

Andy

[Damien Taylor]

I used to have an SC35 years ago, well technically I still do. I bought it back when I first got into records and it was the first thing I found and I didn't really know what I was doing. Anyway the cantilever snapped off after a relatively short life. Is it worth seeking out the OEM stylus, or are the knock-offs acceptable?

[pbinpb57]

Jico styli are an excellent option.

[audiopile]

I really like the JICO SAS in a SC35C body - but I'm runnin this in a SME series 3.The JICO SAS are all relatively high compliance - the original SC35C low compliance. Any tonearm that works with one of these is probably going to be the world's worst choice for the other. Only exceptions would be the various bio-tracers and their clones -which will work amazingly well with a crazy variety of stylus compliances.

[Damien Taylor]

JICOs are high compliance hey. My intended use is with a TPA-12, so I might have to get one of the original low compliance ones.

[pairadice19]

Hi,
I am a newbie here. I am new in the vinyl world. I have just acquired a used Technics SL-D2 (all orginal parts) and it definitely needs a needle change. Some seller told me to buy a Shure SC35C to go with it. Now that I am back home, I see that the SC35C needs a tracking force of 4-5 g, but my TT just goes up to 3g.
Does it make sense to mount that cartridge on my TT? Or should I go back to the store and get refunded?
Thanks!

[Alec124c41]

Hi,
I am a newbie here. I am new in the vinyl world. I have just acquired a used Technics SL-D2 (all orginal parts) and it definitely needs a needle change. Some seller told me to buy a Shure SC35C to go with it. Now that I am back home, I see that the SC35C needs a tracking force of 4-5 g, but my TT just goes up to 3g.
Does it make sense to mount that cartridge on my TT? Or should I go back to the store and get refunded?
Thanks!

If you are doing the DJ thing, keep it. Scratching and back-cueing need a robust cartridge.
If your intention is to listen to music, with sound quality your priority, you can do much better.

Cheers,
Alec