Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

richieyork · 9th Oct 2019, 8:27 pm

Hi all

OK, made what I think is a classic mistake re stylus/cartridge compatibility but here we go...

I found an old Shure M75-6S catridge still in its Garrard headshell. The stylus was well worn but it did play so I knew the body was good but I decided to upgrade it with a new stylus. Looking online the N75ED stylus looked identical and although new stock is gone I bought a substitute new one thinking this will upgrade things. Today. before I checked my postbox I noticed online that the M75ED cartridge looks different to mine! hence the schoolboy error...However the new stylus fitment is identical to the old one so I slotted it in. And it plays brilliantly....

Question: is this OK? Also, I must assume the M75ED body brought advantages over the M75-6S?? Is it safe to continue using this setup??

Many thanks
Rich

Ted Kendall · 9th Oct 2019, 8:38 pm

The bodies are the same - it's only the mounting arrangements that are different, although rumour hath that the bodies with better inter-channel balance were kept for the more exotic styli. The only caveat is that the 'ED is more compliant than the '6S and has a tip which is best used at around 1.5 grammes max for low record wear. If you are using an SP25, for instance, you may have trouble with arm friction.

richieyork · 9th Oct 2019, 8:40 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ted Kendall

The only caveat is that the 'ED is more compliant than the '6S and has a tip which is best used at around 1.5 grammes max for low record wear. If you are using an SP25, for instance, you may have trouble with arm friction.

Thanks Ted - i'm using it now in an SME3009 arm so no probs with the tracking/arm friction

Ted Kendall · 9th Oct 2019, 9:02 pm

Well there you go - I had that combination n years ago and very nice it was...

dalgwcobl · 9th Oct 2019, 10:17 pm

The M75.6S used a spherical stylus, whereas I believe the ED used an Elliptical Diamond stylus.

Herald1360 · 9th Oct 2019, 11:58 pm

Yes, but the point is that the difference is essentially only in the stylus assemblies which are interchangeable.

Ted Kendall · 10th Oct 2019, 7:26 am

Quite so. For the record, the 6S is for tracking forces between 1.5 to 3g. the C is spherical for 3-5g. the ED is a .2 x.7 elliptical for up to 1.5g and the EJ is a .4 x.7 elliptical for 1.5 to 3g.

vidjoman · 10th Oct 2019, 8:58 am

I thought that the 'S' refered to a slimline version of the cartridge which has a small clip on metal bracket instead of the glued on plastic housing - which differs between some versions of Shure cartridges making it difficult to fit the 'wrong' stylus.

richieyork · 15th Oct 2019, 11:08 am

Thanks all. What originally threw me was seeing pics of an 'm75ed' cartridge body which looked totally different to my naked looking M75-6 body. Anyway all is well and thanks to all for the invaluable contributions. I'm a happy bear!

9th Oct 2019, 8:27 pm	#1
richieyork Pentode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 212	Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility Hi all OK, made what I think is a classic mistake re stylus/cartridge compatibility but here we go... I found an old Shure M75-6S catridge still in its Garrard headshell. The stylus was well worn but it did play so I knew the body was good but I decided to upgrade it with a new stylus. Looking online the N75ED stylus looked identical and although new stock is gone I bought a substitute new one thinking this will upgrade things. Today. before I checked my postbox I noticed online that the M75ED cartridge looks different to mine! hence the schoolboy error...However the new stylus fitment is identical to the old one so I slotted it in. And it plays brilliantly.... Question: is this OK? Also, I must assume the M75ED body brought advantages over the M75-6S?? Is it safe to continue using this setup?? Many thanks Rich

9th Oct 2019, 8:38 pm	#2
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,671	Re: Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility The bodies are the same - it's only the mounting arrangements that are different, although rumour hath that the bodies with better inter-channel balance were kept for the more exotic styli. The only caveat is that the 'ED is more compliant than the '6S and has a tip which is best used at around 1.5 grammes max for low record wear. If you are using an SP25, for instance, you may have trouble with arm friction.

9th Oct 2019, 9:02 pm	#4
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,671	Re: Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility Well there you go - I had that combination n years ago and very nice it was...

9th Oct 2019, 10:17 pm	#5
dalgwcobl Pentode Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Royston, Hertfordshire, UK. Posts: 131	Re: Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility The M75.6S used a spherical stylus, whereas I believe the ED used an Elliptical Diamond stylus.

9th Oct 2019, 11:58 pm	#6
Herald1360 Dekatron Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 16,535	Re: Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility Yes, but the point is that the difference is essentially only in the stylus assemblies which are interchangeable. __________________ ....__________ ....\|____\|\|__\|__\_____ .=.\| _---\__\|__\|_---_\|. .........O..Chris....O

10th Oct 2019, 7:26 am	#7
Ted Kendall Dekatron Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Kington, Herefordshire, UK. Posts: 3,671	Re: Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility Quite so. For the record, the 6S is for tracking forces between 1.5 to 3g. the C is spherical for 3-5g. the ED is a .2 x.7 elliptical for up to 1.5g and the EJ is a .4 x.7 elliptical for 1.5 to 3g.

10th Oct 2019, 8:58 am	#8
vidjoman Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 3,326	Re: Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility I thought that the 'S' refered to a slimline version of the cartridge which has a small clip on metal bracket instead of the glued on plastic housing - which differs between some versions of Shure cartridges making it difficult to fit the 'wrong' stylus.

15th Oct 2019, 11:08 am	#9
richieyork Pentode Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, North Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 212	Re: Vintage Shure Cartridge/stylus compatibility Thanks all. What originally threw me was seeing pics of an 'm75ed' cartridge body which looked totally different to my naked looking M75-6 body. Anyway all is well and thanks to all for the invaluable contributions. I'm a happy bear!