Phono Cartridge Comparison Pickering XV 15 625E vs Shure M97xE

1976/1999
A Comparison between two similar (in price and performance) cartridges: The Pickering XV-15/625E and the Shure M97xE.
The Pickering XV-15/625E uses the XV-15 cartridge body from 1967 and the M97XE body is based on the M95 series from 1975. When the M97XE was released in 1999, the Pickering XV-15/625E was still available as part of the XV-15 line up with a price of only $13.00 more than the M97XE.

[@SergeiBerzov]

Pickering xv15 625e Best!

[@TrojanRabbit-sg9bl]

The Pickering cartridge is identical to the old style street cleaners we used to have in Winnipeg, Canada, the side to side front mounted spinning brush was perfect for small open areas and ideal for parking garage cleaning as well.

[@peterpanjaeger9546]

Das Shure hat das reichere Klangbild …Danke, sehr aufschlussreich

[@careystuart]

Thank you for your videos! I found a Shure M97 era 4 at a thrift store mounted on an Akai table. Deck was Mint and the cartridge appeared new. Under a scope, I believe it is new. Sold the table, but kept the cart. Haven't tried it yet on a good deck. IMO the Shure (in the video) comes across Fuller, "rounder" and warmer. Maybe less analytical, to me more fleshed out and fuller. Any info on the Shure M97 era 4? Thanks for the wealth of info.

[@MichaelBeeny]

I've never liked the idea of a brush mounted onto a cartridge. It adds unwanted mass, in some cases it tends to steer the stylus as the brush fibers follow the groves. The biggest issue is it follows the stylus rather than preceding it. The stylus hits the dust, and the brush largely just moves the dust elsewhere. Much better to clean the disc before use. Or play a FLAC file, probably a better choice overall.

[@roward48]

Pickering brings out more detail and sounds more authentic.

[@cazaresfamily007]

I'll take the pickering I like it best

[@ZeusTheTornado]

Never liked the Shure's "warm" EQ

[@marktubeie07]

This 'Buckaroo...' piece always sounds so much like an Elmer Bernstein soundtrack, very much his style I feel.

[@hugueslecorre4893]

If you only see the distortion numbers you will be upset. 10% for the 2nd harmonic is normal value. The professional quality Shure V mark3 has 2% 2nd and 0.5%3rd 3%IMD.