Very late reply, but when my V15VMR was working (Dual 701 so similar basic arm characteristics as the venerable 1229), I used 1.5g (with damper) and 1g (without). Adding 2/10g to the playing weight increased bass perception a little which I'm not sure should be there with vinyl frankly as so much is removed and mono'd when the lacquer is cut. I think total capacitance on my system is quite low as stupidly, I replaced the Dual's exit cables which despite looking crap, actually offer slightly higher capacitance for said V15V...
V15V's (both body versions and especially the later XMR I gather which I believe lost the laminated pole pieces) have a falling hf response of around 5dB from 1 - 20kHz with low capacitance and flat to 10kHz with subsequent 5dB drop from there to 20kHz if my 'Choice tests are anything to go by. Loved it and shame the cantilever was damaged - still got it and wondered if a local trusted UK re-builder (ESCo) could splice the cantilever back together...
P.S. The XMR and VST-V sounded fuller in tone and offered a popular balance. I think it was the laid back highs (Shures never sounded 'soft' or dull as such). The brand was so out of fashion over here in the 90's, it was an effort to sell them I remember. To any newbies reading this, don't ever judge Shure purely by M44's, M55E's (shudder) and most M75 models
DSJR is correct about the XMR's pole pieces and I also believe that all the later SHURE cartridges did not have the laminated pole pieces:
A few Historical Notes: Once the V15-V was introduced, the IV design was reused for the M97. In 1973, the V15 Type III debuts with a uniformly flat, unaccented, uncolored frequency response. This was accomplished by reducing the stylus mass by 25% and by employing a new laminated pole piece design.
Q: What innovations is Shure known for?
A: The III with its trackability and flat response was the big thing. The IV was my favorite, just because of the fact that there was the oil shortage and record companies were cutting back on quality and the LP’s would warp. We came up with the dynamic stabilizer which solved the problem of tracking a warped record. It cleaned your record; it stabilized the cartridge and it removed the static. So, it was a huge leap in performance.
Historical Note: In 1978, Shure introduced the V15 Type IV. It featured a viscous-damped Dynamic Stabilizer that overcame most record warps. The Stabilizer brush also cleaned the record and reduced any static charge. A hyper-elliptical, nude mounted stylus tip improved the tip-to-groove contact area.
Q: Was Shure the first to use a rolled Beryllium cantilever?
A: The V15V Micro Ridge was unique to Shure. Also, Type V introduced an ultra-thin-wall rolled beryllium stylus shank. It made the cartridge shank incredibly light and rigid. I think we were the first to use rolled beryllium. It was like a foil that we rolled into a tube.
Historical Notes: In 1982,the V15 Type V featured a MASAR polished stylus tip to reduce friction. The ultra-thin beryllium stylus shank dramatically improved trackability. A Duo-Point alignment gauge was used during installation to minimize lateral tracking angle error.
In 1983, the V15 Type V-MR featured a Micro-Ridge stylus shape that emulated the shape of a cutting stylus. This greatly improved trackability in the high frequency range.
In 1997, the V15VxMR was introduced with improvements in the stylus design and pole piece design to provide a warmer and more musical sound quality.
Q: What killed the Type V?
A: OHSA ruled that beryllium dust was a health hazard. Even though the Type V used rolled beryllium and dust was not created, OSHA was not convinced. The possibility of beryllium dust, the health concerns for Shure employees shaping the beryllium, the OSHA standards for air filtration all helped to kill the V15 by the end of 2005. To install just the filtering equipment needed meant a long payback period; since vinyl sales were falling, it just didn’t make financial sense. The safety of the employees was a most important factor to Mrs. Rose L. Shure
If you want to judge a SHURE cart these are the ones that you should be thinking about (there are others, of course, these are just ones that I am familiar with [you'll see the ones that I have settled on that I found worked in my budget at the time I purchased them in the last paragraph):
T4P Mount (Commonly known as P-Mount as developed by Technics)
Ultra 300 Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1.2 to 1.7
Ultra 400 Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1.2 to 1.7
V15LT Hyperelliptical (0.2 x 0.15 mils) VTF: 1 1/4
V15V-P Hyperelliptical (0.2 x 0.15 mils) VTF: 1 1/4
Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1 to 1 & 1/4
VST III-P Hyperelliptical (0.2 x 0.15 mils) VTF: 1 3/N4one b
For T4P make sure that your cartridge meets the weight and dimension restrictions. Some P-mount cartridges may physically fit but their weight may be out of range of the VTF weight adjustment on your TT(particularly if it is a Technics TT such as my SL-M3): CHECK FIRST!
SHURE Non T4P mounts:
Ultra 500 Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1.2 to 1.7 or 1 to 1.25 (depending on stylus suspension)
V15V Series 78rpm Elliptical (.0005x.0025 in.) VTF: 3/4 to 1 & 1/4
V15V-B Hyperelliptical (0.2 x 0.15 mils) VTF: 1 to 1 & 1/4
Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1 to 1 & 1/4
V15V-G Spherical (0.6 mils) VTF: 1 to 1 & 1/4
Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1 to 1 & 1/4
V15V-MR Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1 to 1 & 1/4
V15V-xMR (I have no specs but there is a slight db dip in the frequency response on the high end that gives it the "fuller tone that some like)
VST III Hyperelliptical (0.2 x 0.15 mils) VTF: 1 1/4 to 1 3/4
VST V Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1.2 to 1.7
Micro-Ridge (.0015x.003 in.) VTF: 1 to 1 & 1/4
The VST V has the same there slight db dip in the frequency response on the high end as the V15-xMR)
I typically run the V15 IV or the V15V-MR on my DUAL 1229 and either the ULTRA 300, the V15LT or the V15V-P (micro-Ridge) on my Technics SL-M3. I would very much like to get my hands on a V15V Series 78 Elliptical to run on my DUAL TT for my 78's. But on the rare occasion that I have come across one, the price has been outside of my budget.