'Shure M97xE' vs 'Ortofon 2M Red'

[peace_sells]

Thanks everyone

Very clean set up indeed. Just a small concern...don't you get into feedback problem since the speakers are placed so close to the system?

Well this is a temporary setup actually..The whole unit will be shifted to the bedroom (next week mostly). The speakers will be kept on separate shelves. I'm aware of the feedback issues that occur when speakers are too close to the TT..but to be honest, I've not felt that issue so far (maybe I've been mellow music for the past few days..so not much bass). But say I want to keep the speakers around the TT..do I need to place something underneath the TT that can damp out those vibrations?

And could you post a scanned copy of the protractor in original scale so that we can download & print it for use on our TTs?

How do i make sure that the scale remains original? Maybe I can mention the dimensions of the protractor. Let me try.

 

[sachu888]

M97 comes with Baerwald protractor.You can download it from Vinylengine.

Regards,
Sachin

 

[Saket]

Well this is a temporary setup actually..The whole unit will be shifted to the bedroom (next week mostly). The speakers will be kept on separate shelves. I'm aware of the feedback issues that occur when speakers are too close to the TT..but to be honest, I've not felt that issue so far (maybe I've been mellow music for the past few days..so not much bass). But say I want to keep the speakers around the TT..do I need to place something underneath the TT that can damp out those vibrations?

If you aren't getting feedback in this set up, then you are lucky. I get strong feedback since my floor standers can be very bassy and transmit a lot of vibrations even to the floor. I have struggled a lot for it to resolve, but only succeeded to an acceptable level. If I go beyond a particular volume, my TT gets awful feedback.

The best thing is to keep the speakers as far as possible from the TT. Also, make sure that the speakers do not point towards the TT. There can me many other options to reduce feedback like insulating the TT by its feet, insulating the entire AV rack (this can be challenging).

 

[sunder]

IMO, just like the room size and speaker relationship, there is a relationship between the type of records you'd want to play and the cartridge you would use. If you have your vinyl in pristine condition, probably new, then any cart would do. However if your vinyl is generally well used (or abused) from previous ownership, then the Shure M44-7 is the way to go. I also have the M97xe and its a great cart. However, personally I am not a great fan of that brush. The M97xe is very neutral and pleasant sounding while the M44-7 is louder and aggressive and much bassier (coloured of course). However when it comes to tracking, the M44-7 is unbeatable. I have played a damaged LP (had small pimple like projections on the surface) and only the M44-7 could track on it. The M97xe which I had before could not play this record. The Technics OEM MM cart would jump all over the place. I also feel that the N44-7 matching stylus of the M44-7 lasts a bit longer (probably as its built for heavy DJ use). Shure claims that the N44-7 stylus produces very low groove wear compared to other stylii. No experience with Ortofon yet, I've been a Shure guy. Grew up listening to the Shure M75-6, another legendary MM cart.

Hi reuben, Will M44-7 , suitable aptly with direct drive? or with idler drive or with belt drive?
Thank you,
Regards,
sunder.

 

[reubensm]

Hi reuben, Will M44-7 , suitable aptly with direct drive? or with idler drive or with belt drive?
Thank you,
Regards,
sunder.

Interesting question Sunder, in my opinion and from experience (and history of the original M44 cart), the M44-7 should play well on all turntable types. I have not tried it on a belt drive but have used it on a Garrard SP25 idler drive turntable and of course, on my Technics SL3200 DD. I have noted any difference whatsoever when using the M44-7 on the idler and DD. The M44-7 is built of heavy use (or abuse rather) and can track well in the most challenging situations. If an M44-7 actually skips on a record, then that record would be virtually unplayable using any other cart. This is applicable only when used with the original Shure N44-7 cart. So go ahead and use it on your TT, whatever type it may be, especially if you are using pre-used vinyl graded in categories below VG.

 

[sunder]

Interesting question Sunder, in my opinion and from experience (and history of the original M44 cart), the M44-7 should play well on all turntable types. I have not tried it on a belt drive but have used it on a Garrard SP25 idler drive turntable and of course, on my Technics SL3200 DD. I have noted any difference whatsoever when using the M44-7 on the idler and DD. The M44-7 is built of heavy use (or abuse rather) and can track well in the most challenging situations. If an M44-7 actually skips on a record, then that record would be virtually unplayable using any other cart. This is applicable only when used with the original Shure N44-7 cart. So go ahead and use it on your TT, whatever type it may be, especially if you are using pre-used vinyl graded in categories below VG.

Thank you reuben, I will try.
Regards.

 

[peace_sells]

Ok so the Shure cart has been in use for over 20 hours now (approx). There are some points that i want to make. This cart is not suitable for all kinds of music.

I've played the 60s-70s jazz records (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Benny Goodman, etc) on it and it sounds phenomenal! It sounds so fluid and jazzy (can't think of a better word). The 70s progressive rock (Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, Tangerine Dream, etc) again sounds very very impressive. I think this cart is perfect for these kinds of music. Very warm on the ear and feels really good. Even 70s hard rock (Deep Purple, Rainbow, Led Zeppelin, etc) sounds pretty good.

However I don't think M97xe is meant for heavier music. Heavy/thrash/death metal records..a big no no! Black Sabbath is perhaps the only heavy band that sounds ok. Something goes wrong when m97xe is used with heavier music. The rhythm sections (drums and bass) become less pronounced (as compared to the Audio Technica CN5625AL that i have). The vibrations in the chest don't appear that intensively (but maybe that's because my speakers are cheap. Maybe with better speakers it might sound different).

All in all..I think this Shure cart is very good for any ambient, spacy, jazzy, earthly, 'beautiful-sounding' music (there are some newer bands today that are producing their albums with 70s style of production. E.g. Opeth's latest album. Such albums also sound very good!)..I'll be using it specifically for such music from now. With the heavier stuff i think the AT CN5625AL sounds much more impressive. Its thinner..but more crunchy sounding. Maybe I'll try a Shure M44-7 in future. What say guys..Will that cart suit heavier music?

 

[Saket]

Though, I have never heard m97Xe to be honest, but I think heavy metal & music of those genre would sound better with M44-7 because of the shrilling highs which will pronounce more of the hats & cymbals of the instrumentation. Not to mention the kicks & bass of the percussions too. Hence for flashy music, I think the M44-7 is a much better bet than the M97Xe.

 

[reignofchaos]

Check the capacitive loading on your phono preamp. I found it to sound better at a slightly less than recommended 150pF. As you move higher, you lose some of the high frequency shimmer. As for bass, yes it definitely is a little bass shy compared to some other carts.

 

[peace_sells]

Though, I have never heard m97Xe to be honest, but I think heavy metal & music of those genre would sound better with M44-7 because of the shrilling highs which will pronounce more of the hats & cymbals of the instrumentation. Not to mention the kicks & bass of the percussions too. Hence for flashy music, I think the M44-7 is a much better bet than the M97Xe.

I thought so. Any other carts that are more suited for that kind of music? Plus i think it depends on the speaker and amp also.

I recently auditioned Klipsch RF-52 at Cinibels, Lavelle Road, Bangalore (with a CD player and Marantz 90 wpc amp into 8 ohms). I took some of my heaviest music along. It sounded sublime! It even beat the RF-62! That particular speaker is I think very good for heavy music..But i wonder how it will sound in combination with a Shure m97xe. Plus that speaker costs around 65k. Not in my budget at the moment