Grant wrote:I use the M97xE, which is the same as the V15xMR in almost every way, and it sounds amazing too!
They are similar, but the V15xMR has a few key advantages, most notably the micro ridge (MR) stylus. Basically it's closer to the shape of the cutting head, which means it will have fewer problems tracking "problem spots" (think inner groove distortion). Check out the stats:
M97xE
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Trackability:
At 1 gram tracking force
(cm per second peak velocity)
* 1 kHz - 44
* 10 kHz - 31V15VxMR
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Trackability
At 1 gram tracking force (cm per second peak velocity):
* 400 Hz - 30 cm / sec
* 1 kHz - 46
* 5 kHz - 80
* 10 kHz - 60Check out how much better the V15VxMR can track at higher frequencies.
The V15VxMR also has better frequency response, channel balance, and channel separation.
I'm not saying the M97xE is bad, just that "same in almost every way" really isn't true.
My cartridge actually specs out slightly better than the V15VxMR for a few things, but I've never seen a "trackability" spec for it, which would be key for navigating those tough inner grooves. I should see if the little sheet that came with it makes mention of that. It does have a linear contact stylus, though, which is a bit closer to a micro ridge/micro line than an elliptical (which is what the M97xE uses).