Shure M55E with Jico nude elliptical stylus
- Turntable: Technics SL-1200 Mk.2
- VTF: 1.5g
- Phonostage: Darlington Labs MM6B
- 47kΩ / 100pF / +35dB
- No SUT
- Cable capacitance: 120pF
- ADC: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Gen. 3
- Test record: CBS STR-130
Here's another older cart with a new Jico stylus. The Shure M55E was introduced in 1964, the same year as the Pickering V-15 and Shure's premium offering, the V15 type I. I've read that the M55E is internally the same as the V15 type I, except that it was not subject to the same level of quality control. Other things the M55E has in common with the Pickering V-15 are a healthy output at 6.2 mV and 4.4 mV, respectively, the fact that they both remained in production for decades, were a common choice at radio stations, and became popular with turntablists.
Shure long ago ceased producing styli, and in my experience, NOS styli not only tend to be expensive but are also a total crapshoot. So, how does the M55E measure with a quality aftermarket stylus?
It's not bad, I'd say, and very similar to the Pickering V-15 with a Jico stylus. One difference is that the Shure can track well with a lower VTF. It was able to track the "torture" bias setting track on my Hi-Fi News Test Record at 1.5 g VTF and anti-skate set at 1, with only a hint of distortion in both channels. This is good for any cartridge. I've seen some simply jump the groove on this track.
The Jico stylus costs $150 (both the stylus and cartridge are on loan from a friend). I can't say what the value proposition is on this. If you could find an M55E body for $50 (for a total of $200), buying a worse new cartridge at the same price is certainly possible. But maybe you could do better, I couldn't say, not being familiar with everything on the market. I do find it interesting that two ubiquitous carts that never got much love from audiophiles measure respectably, and in some cases arguably better, than pricier, highly-regarded carts.
The M55E also has a certain "old-school cool" look about it that I like, but obviously, that's subjective.