[BikeFi10]

After about a year of research and info overload from many sources, I went with a Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII ES. Many great reviews, I like the Fixed Coil MI concept, the stylus rebuild service, USA made and it looks cool. Nice deal $1k lists $1500.  Compliance 10 and weight 12g worked out for the Pro-ject 9cc 8g tonearm. I plan to make this the last cart I buy.

I had to replace the 85g counterweight with a 95g.

Spent nearly 2 hours checking and rechecking the 5 position settings. Being in my 60s, bright light from different angles, strong bifocals and a magnifing glass did the trick.

About 12 hours into record play time. Im hearing more details from fair to ok recordings. My excellent Analog Production pressings sound amazing.

Peter Ledermann mentioned if set up is on par little burn in time needed. Happy now, any improvement from here will be a bonus.

[GentleBender]

Hurray! I’m glad your time invested paid off. Now you can enjoy all those fantastic records again.

[davidc1]

Or the less well known Shure Ultra 500 MM cartridge which was an upgraded version of the V15-VMR.

True. I wish I had bought a new stylus from them before they stopped making them

[tull skull]

True. I wish I had bought a new stylus from them before they stopped making them
[/quo

David remember that Jico {I think} makes a replacement for the V15 V. Perhaps you ccould start hunting for reviews?

[tull skull]

Just wanted to say there is no bigger gamble in this crazy hobby then spending bigger bucks on a USED cart unless you know and trust the seller or have money to burn.

[S Clark]

Just wanted to say there is no bigger gamble in this crazy hobby then spending bigger bucks on a USED cart unless you know and trust the seller or have money to burn.

Or you buy it cheap enough to replace the cantilever and stylus.  I've bought a couple of nice cartridges with no stylus attached only to get great sound after repair.