New Stylus Shure N91 Jico or Audio Technics 125LC -N140LC

[eblackadder]

Hi I have only been back into vinyl for a few months. I am running a Shure M93 with an N91 Stylus. It sounds very good but does not quite have the highs I would like. This is on a Denon 45F. I have been restoring some Technics tables. A 1300 MKII, a 1700, and a 1200MKII. I have a variety of cartridges but except for the M93-M91 the other cartridges have older Styli. I'm trying to decide if I should try the N-91 Jico SAS or go with the Audio Technics 125LC with an upgrade to the 140LC Stylus. I have read a lot of very good things about the Audio Technics 125LC, though I have not had a chance to hear it yet.. The upgrade of the Audio Technics 125LC would be cheaper than the Jico SAS stylus. Does anyone have any comments on these cartridges? I also have a very nice Stanton 681EEE that I like a lot I have not seen anything about a step up stylus for that. Thanks to all. I love this site. Everyone has been so helpful and there is none of the snobby put downs like on many sites. This is the way the internet should work. Thanks.

[dlaloum]

The Shures with the exception of the top of the line V15's and ML series tend to have a lightly rolled off top end... You can raise the top end by either lowering capacitance and/or raising resistance.

The Audio Technicas as a rule have a rising top end - this means they are also perceived as having less bass - in reality it is simply that the bass is less prominent in relation to the rest of the spectrum....

You might like the AT option!

The Stanton's for the most part tend towards a similar warm profile to the Shure - adjusting cartridge loading can raise the top end as per the Shures, also they tend towards more high end detail if fitted with a stereohedron/shibata/vividline stylus - that would turn your 681eee into a 681s

HTH

bye for now

David

[eblackadder]

Thanks for the suggestions. I just got the Technics SL 1700 Restored today and tried out the AT 125LC It sounds very good with the stylus it came with. The cartridge was not mounted correctly. Once I took care of that and the always mystical tone arm balancing on the Technics I think I will go with the AT125LC upgrade. I'm a violinist/violist but I like strong Bass, Cello, Contra Bassoon etc. I have to have the contrast though. I use Mahler 4 Mov. 3 to see if the lows are good and the cymbals and triangle give me the shivers. Thanks again. I hope this sounds as good on my James Taylor Half Speed Master of Gorilla.