Keith G wrote:
"Serge Auckland" wrote in message
...
Eiron wrote:
jasee wrote:

Les Hemmings wrote:
http://www.batteries-online.co.uk/d/...bers_13871.htm

Original and brand spanking new!

Looks good but I still wonder if it _really_ is made by Ortofon as it
says 'colour may vary from the original' I'd be interested to hear
if/when you get it as I've got a few Ortofon cartridges.
Probably as original as this:
http://www.batteries-online.co.uk/d/...li_22011.h tm
Absolutely! This is so clearly a generic stylus, NOT an original. I wonder
if it even has a Microridge stylus, seriously doubt t at that price.

Les would be well advised to 'phone the supplier and verify the origin.



I dunno, with all the moaning here I thought it was that **** Sting 'doing a
Dowland'...!!!

No-one in his right mind would expect to get a genuine Shure needle for that
sort of money, other than from a very lucky eBay hit!

Asitappens, I have discussed these Swiss 'generic replacements' with Avril
at Mantra in some detail and she assured me that they were very popular and
I'm sure she said that she had only ever had one returned from a customer
that wasn't too happy with it. This was a year or two back and, at that
time, I *think* I was getting a 'money back if not delighted' from her - but
anyone should check that out for themselves. Sorry to be so vague, but it
was a while back and has since been filed under 'done deal' and forgotten!!

(I have a V15/III here that has only ever had a generic on it in my time and
it don't sound too bad to me and appears to track quite well....!??)

The OP doesn't appear to be too anal about his records - 'lots of albums
that have all been through many parties, lots of hands and much mauling in
the dark'?? - so I would be inclined to say grab a cheap replacement, if
that's all that's available and just get 'em spinning!



I bought a generic replacement for my V15III from Mantra about 18 months
ago, and it was pretty awful. They took it back against a Shure original
and gave me a full refund which I thought was very decent of them.

I then bought another Shure original just to keep as a spare as they're
not making any more and I still have it, unused.

The generic replacement wouldn't track more than the +12 band on the HFN
test record, and the treble was harsh to say the least. The Shure
original MR stylus was so obviously better.

If you're going to replace a stylus on an old classic cartridge like the
Ortofon, it makes sense to me to pay the extra and get an original
replacement if possible. If all that's available is generic, then it's
a moot point as to whether it's better to have a generic replacement or
a complete new cartridge like the AT95E for about the same price, or go
for an upgrade to something like a Goldring 1000 series.

S.