Jico J44-7 and Impact Cartridge Reviews | Beatsource Tech

It's now been five years since Shure discontinued their M44 cartridges. Japanese manufacturer Jico have made replacement styli for them for a long time, but now their latest range also includes replacements for the carts themselves, an upgraded nude stylus, and a whole new cart designed by Toshi Nakama from Vestax. Mojaxx gives us a full breakdown on this episode of #BeatsourceTech.
Learn more about Jico's DJ carts and styli: www.jico-stylus.com/for-dj
Mixware (US Distributor): www.mixware.net/brand/jico
Audio sample recordings as mentioned in the video: / user-660295751
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[@izz0408]

Been using jico stylii on my technics slQ3 turntable with the original m447 cartridge and head along with now a jico n447 imp nude(definately cleaner more forward and detailed). Previously was on a n447 dj imp (smoother) These with a set of ATC SMC 11s so there is a lot of ability for the nude stylus character to speak out with these speakers. Also have a project evo carbon with orto red on Martin logan ESL panels. This has a very high fi yet smooth representation for my ears. Technic kit is more fun and no fuss Great video cheers

[@stevedub5006]

Been using the Ortofon VNL and they’ve been great both on control vinyl and and real vinyl. And cheaper than these. Highly recommended if you don’t wanna pay for these Jico.

[@ashleybrownau]

Yep, I have one deck running an OG Shure M447 and another with the VNL and it’s a pretty decent replacement. I would have gone with the JICO but they were super difficult to source here in Australia last year when I was looking into them…. may have improved since? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@stevedub5006]

@@ashleybrownau yeah it would be cool if @mojaxx threw up some audio samples between the Jico, VNL, and the red ortofon carts he raves about. Just so I could judge for myself which one has the best sound profile for my style.

[@djmalcolmXL]

Thankyou for the fantastic review, very informative and detailed.👍

[@pjgladidiomas4180]

Thanks a million for this review. I'll get some Jicos for sure now. I'm still loving my 3 sets if carts with their matching styli: m447s, Stanton 680HP and Concorde Nightclub Mk2s. Cheers from Brazil!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

My favorite video this week thanks for your efforts.

[@Beatgeek]

Good review. Great timing!

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

They also have Stanton 500AL replacement nude - that's a nice thing too.

[@akai8167]

i love my 500s, been meaning to try the jico replacements for ages

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

@@akai8167 it's nice to see I always thought 500s were very dependable.

[@benlopez4788]

Nice to know they make something close to the shure stylus. I was lucky enough to have stocked up on shure m44-7 cartridges and n44-7 styluses right before they stopped making them. Great info on the jicos, Thanks

[@Paulorp1979]

You will love Ortofon VNL

[@pugslysmart1]

​@@Paulorp1979 I can't stand the Ortofon VNL. There's a slight lag and it lose its place when spinning the record back real fast. I didn't have that problem awith my Shure 44-7s.

[@obrienalexander]

Tip not many people know about, pair an M44-G or J44-G with the Jico N55e elliptical stylus. Highest output best DJ cart you will ever hear

[@scupakus]

Elliptical are bad for cuing thou.

[@hannesrull8339]

N55E will not give you highest output. Original Shure N55E stylus was rated 6,2mV, I guess Jico has nearly the same. N44-7 is 9,5mV

[@obrienalexander]

@@hannesrull8339 tell that to my gain stage

[@techsavvyhero]

Currently have one deck with an Ortofon Nightclub S and the other one has an original Shure M44-7. I do need to replace them soon as they're getting beat up with scratch practice. Thanks for the review! Might have to pick one of these up!

[@kikeon0017]

I was looking at the jico's just after the M447's were just discontinued, but hard to get my hands on here in mainland Europe. I opted for the Concorde Scratch MK2's after your review of those. Pretty satisfied with them.

[@samstars9623]

Mo fantastic, stuff I'm still using sure M44-7s I certainly will be looking to replace them at some point. I don't if you remember there were dodgy one flying about, and would definitely be investing those they look really cool. Thanks for bringing to the tables' it's long overdue. Stay blessed until next time. Bless you 🙏🏿😇🕊️🎧📀

[@theespressokid1]

I've been using Jico's since you called them out many years ago. They're fantastic and I don't mind upgrading to the nudes, I know they're going to perform the way Jico says they will.

[@josephoxbury7281]

Great video mate, with a very interesting topic for me! A massive fan of the Shure M447 because of the solid bass, awesome mids & highs. Also, at the time, the highest voltage output from all that was on the market! Also I found the M447's to be very kind shall In say, to my beloved records. Nice to get a on-point review of the new alternatives. I did switch over to Ortofon digitals & club series, but the highs roll off too early & I've never found them to be as warm as the M447's!

[@MrDJLazyBones]

Recently ditched the Shure’s after nearly 20 years and switched to Ortofon Scratch. Best decision I’ve made in a while! So much simpler to set up and ensure the best possible performance from the cart.

[@Trojan0304]

Got JiCo SAS for my old Shure V-15 , type 4. Never sounded better 🤗🤗🤗

[@MyAlteredSoul]

The VNL’s replaced my old m44’s and I will probably be with them for a while. I do look forward to giving the jicos a try one day tho

[@vsingh8078]

I always preferred the M44g's over the 7's. The sound quality was far superior!!

[@laurinjoelschafhausen]

Sound quality of the 7s is quite bad honestly.

[@vsingh8078]

@@laurinjoelschafhausen really bad if we're being honest lol

[@_bobo__]

informative review. thank you

[@jasonmarsh3165]

Currently I am using ortofon digitals for time codes and ortifon dj for real vinyls. I love the simple look of concord style carts. I also from time to time swith to numark cs-1 carl cox edition.

[@kiernansfault48]

Thanks for reviewing these. I have original M44-7s that have needed new styli for a while because the old ones are bent (just like you mentioned). It's crazy how expensive these have become. My original M44-7 carts were like $70 each, now just one stylus is around $120. I do wish Jico's website made more sense. This video finally explained whet the "IMP" models are. Still not sure if I should be springing for the N44-7 "DJ" or regular N44-7 based on their website. Only difference seems to be tracking force. Also strange that only the IMP models have the protective flap.

[@UONeal]

Jico makes other models with the stylus guard. I have a few different ones

[@djjoeykmusic]

Great video Thank you 🙏🏾

[@wesallen3202]

I'm one of those who is definitely clinging to his old Shure carts. I've always found it difficult to know when the stylii have reached the end of their life cycle. Its not something that is easy to measure definitively. That being said, I've been feeling for a while that I should replace them with new Jico stylii but this video has intrigued me about perhaps getting Jico carts as well. I play a lot of dusty old 45s as well and may end up splurging for the Impact model as per your recommendation.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

@4:45 I was like 'why do they have to be that ugly red.." and then he says VESTAX.. oh ok now that makes sense.

[@estupedude21]

Shoot... I love that needle on record feeling

[@nemesishacking]

Trust mojaxx to make a review after they made red ones.

[@janein4680]

I use the Ortofon Concorde (Mk1) Elektro which I sadly do not see that often. I like them

[@ReboyGTR]

*I just wish Ortofon came out with a VNL in Concorde style.*

[@djatuncontomate]

As owner of both models, I could tell that Q-berts is what you are looking for. (If you don´t like the OM version just try to find and old MK1 concorde and fit a qbert sylus.) I own qberts in OM and concorde versions, I think the needle part is practically the same as my VNLs. They also perform equal on scratching at same weight. Differences in sound and output level comes from the cartridges, but needels looks and perform the same.

[@JayElzDj]

Wow love this review. Very informative as always. Really cool they seem making different kinds of styli. 👍🏼Do you dj with styerene 45s mojaxx? Most of my collection are styrene 7 inches. I own a pair of Jico dj series club 192 44-7 club glow in the dark, one of the first they made after the shures were discontinued. They sound great and perfect for regular vinyl and dvs after some breaking in. Unfortunately those same ones gave me some bad cue burn on my 45 styrene. I noticed a slightly thicker cantilever, which I assumed changed the weight and rigidity. I swore off Jico for my 45s. but will look into them again, this vid gives me hope 🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@jasonguyen]

Man, i remember buying Jico stylus for $30

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

The orig M447 stylus were ok - I had a hard time matching stylus some were sloppy - you would get a 'matched pair' and they even had different signature in the output. I noticed in the late 1990s when DJ culture took off real hard with the bedroom DJ is when the manufacturing got really unpredictable.

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

I been using the ortofon VNL man they gret for scratching n battle usin real viny i was shock at first when i first bought it no skip at all i use the number 2 cartridge needle is more smooth for me n it feel like the m44 7 when im scratching the feeling of it the 3 is good just a little ruff for my style VNL are more cheap n are great n they track nice too with real vinyl records i like them to track good even if im using DVS n sound great too

[@TheRasteri]

I was honetly more heartbroken about shure discontinuing the M44-7 than I was about Technics discontinuing the 1200.

[@stevedub5006]

Then you must not have had to play on those god awful pioneer turntables. They were TRASH and the only option for that time that 1200s were no longer being produced. I had a few venues buy them and they were the worst thing ever.

[@josephoxbury7281]

@@stevedub5006 Oh yea, Pioneer turntables, what a load of absolute crap!!

[@nemesishacking]

Definitely. Any thing ither thsn technics suck. Theyre just the best.

[@luismasi]

Please review Taruya! Specially the reds

[@Fran-or3lt]

Recently purchased Ortofon Club Mk2’s. My oh my, my vinyl never sounded so good. I dont see the attraction to headshell mounted carts, i certainly havnt got the patience to be connecting the wires!

[@stendari07]

I use concore's now. But I still Have a few m447 left.

[@stewartmacdonald601]

I have a pair of Stanton Groovemaster 2 GLD editions. Dunno if I'll ever find replacement needles though.

[@Lab1Audio]

Have they done the same thing with the White Label carts??

[@davidline2454]

Any advice please If I put a Jico replacement on my original Shure, would I use the Shure tracking force for the cart or the higher for the Jico?

[@rokagrooveradio8429]

Hi Mo, I just wondered does styli fit the technics headshell & even m44-7 cart? or do we have to buy it all in one, mines for scratching and mixing oldskool acid house,hardcore etc, thanks Paul

[@conquestrecordings]

killer

[@Nite85]

need new headshells too... what do you guys recommend?

[@carsten7058]

I switch to the s pro Ortofon. And turn the needle to the outside, so now they are in an angle like a straight tonearm. I like that. Now skipping at all.

[@djdeemz7651]

I have ort scratch mk2 concorde carts so cant offset and they are solid i get no side to side movement , you may find yours are fine set normal

[@thehunterofdeath2180]

Facts

[@moket123]

It's a shame they upped the recommended tracking weight. The great thing abou the originals was the insane tracking ability at weights as low as 1.5g. Nothing else has come close

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

@5:15 are those bootleg Technics headshells?? LOL the fontface looks terrible almost spray painted on or something.. not enamel paint.

[@pierredelux2319]

I spin 45 more and more, wich one do you use now between ipt and ortofon digital

[@billscott6819]

Back in the day the Shure 44 was considered kinda garbage sound and cost less than $50. It was the cheap option and mostly sold to turntablists. The Stanton 680EL was the one.

[@eddievega1100]

Have you tried the Grado dj carts

[@simon_100]

Anyone got a link to buy Jico N44-7 or N44-G in the UK?

[@DJFlareon1973]

Is thur ever going to be a innofader pnp3 review

[@Mojaxx]

Next episode 😉

[@doderiolarkisso4038]

Damn, these are pricey. Thank goodness i still have some m447's that are unused.

[@frederikjacob1985]

Prefer the Ortofons thow...

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

@5:00 says 'Head of Vestax makes these new carts'.. and all that comes to mind is 'oh is it 'boomy'... and then proceeds to say they are heavy in bass .. so we can call these Wooly Nutters. Not for me even with HIp hop as I shape the sound .. I want it flat as I can at input. - not equalized in the cartridge. I don't like these limited application products.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

@9:00 EVERYTHING is outlandish in today's 'market'. It's ridiculous bro.

[@MrSTAYUP33]

so expensive

[@carsten7058]

Way to expensive!

[@sgtcreasegrease]

honestly dude all carts are 'way too expensive' not just these.

[@Paulorp1979]

Ortofon VNL better and cheaper

[@wreignone]

I use 1 M44G with 2 VNL, for deep house/tribal stuff, if I play deeper sets, I run shure m447 OGs accross all 3 decks. I know its a little crazy using brand new m447s, and spending a a bag on 1 stylus replacement. . But, I also use the best turntables ever made, and the best mixer. So, why not have the best? The sound profile of a m447 on a xone 96 is really nice. Not always, as I prefer the sound of the M44G,, but, for deep sets. I gotta go m447.. I also like scratching sometimes, and like not having to switch to scratch carts, cos lets face it. You cant get better than the shures for scratching, sidenote: shures tracking is to be something I really miss when using any other carts. I just got some nude jicos to test out . I will let you guys know on my channel soon what I think if those. (Both types A or Ds) i will also open a new n447 to do a comparison.