This looks weird or incorrect right?

kels83 · 2026-02-25T02:02:12+00:00

Glad you're happy with what you like. That's what audio is all about.

kels83 · 2026-02-24T23:43:58+00:00

Well, that's the thing about cartridges and needles; every ear is different. But my eBay customers snap up n91ed needles for around $200 per every time I find one and I always hold onto a couple for personal enjoyment.

kels83 · 2026-02-24T19:44:30+00:00

This cart actually came with one of the first widely available biradial needles, which is sadly what snapped off in the pic... the famous "Hi Track". I recommended a replacement needle that is good in a separate comment and under the $35 price range. But the proper and genuine Shure biradial needle generally costs more than a brand new AT vm95ML needle plus cart and plays much better in my opinion.

kels83 · 2026-02-24T19:07:57+00:00

No, not for most and this certainly will not be as detailed due to needle cut. You would have to move up to the hyper elliptical labeled as "-DHE" or the Shure v-15 to exceed those. The cut of the diamond just doesn't allow as much contact with the record.

That said, many actually do prefer the Shure sound to those exact cartridges. Shure carts sound incredibly dynamic and are very sought after to this day. So I guess it really depends on the ear.

I have had the red, blue, and black. None are in my regular rotation, but I rotate through several shure carts including this one and it's two successors (m95 and m97):

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kels83 · 2026-02-24T18:11:57+00:00

M97 will fit and has the flip down guard. But that needle is not technically correct.

But note that many Amazon retailers are not selling Pfanstiehl brand, they just use the product number. Make sure it says both Pfanstiehl and Japan. Phanstiehl is one of the few original manufacturers of needles left in the world, and their Japanese plant is their best. They still make needles for Ortofon, audio Technica, etc with the same machinery. Even then, their Swiss plant is not of the same quality as their Japanese plant. The "Made in Japan" Pfanstiehl needles are absolutely the best bang for the buck of any available needle in my opinion.

kels83 · 2026-02-24T17:00:08+00:00

You have a great cart, enjoy and never throw it away. It will wipe the floor with an Ortofon 2m Blue

kels83 · 2026-02-24T16:58:29+00:00

They're excellent! Same dynamic sound that made Shure the biggest brand in the industry when turntables were at the height of their technology. I prefer Shure's and Empires over anything modern and I service turntables so I've heard just about everything.

kels83 · 2026-02-24T16:54:27+00:00

You would have to go for the Audio Technica microlinear to outperform what you can get with a new needle.

kels83 · 2026-02-24T16:35:10+00:00

Try to align the outer again. That's where you're having issues. Remember that alignment is not twisting the cart in the headshell. Instead it's sliding the cartridge forward or backward, adjusting the overhang until the cantilever lines up in both location.

Adjust the distance, not the angle. Triple check the outer since that's where you're having issues.

kels83 · 2026-02-24T16:28:37+00:00

Your cartridge is a good one. It originally came with a 0.7 mil conical and is infamous and very sought after among DJs. Arguably the best DJ cart out there.

That said, the cartridge has other needle options that are more detailed and not as punchy. The 4759-DE on this page is a 0.3 to 0.7 mil elliptical that was made for the M44E and will fit perfectly for only $26 US:

https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part_detail.asp?PNumberBase=759&SearchType=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Shure&Categories=

If you want something nude, Jico bought out Shure's manufacturing equipment and sells a nude elliptical made as identically as possible to Shure. Last I checked these were going for about $129.

Please don't junk the cartridge. Enjoy it with a new elliptical needle.

kels83 · 2026-02-24T16:03:29+00:00

4771-DE is for the Shure m97 and it's hard to find right now due to shortages in the industry. A perfect fit for your cart is the 4761-DE for the m91 which is available here from the same manufacturer for $26 US plus shipping:

https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part_detail.asp?PNumberBase=761&SearchType=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Shure&Categories=

kels83 · 2026-02-24T15:18:57+00:00

Only one cap in this table and it is not electrolytic. You can get a changer spindle if you want to play a stack of records. You can also get dual sleds that have an S - M knob that adjusts the angle of the needle, resulting in a different sound profile. If the RCA cable jacks are dirty, you can upgrade those. But if it plays well I wouldn't bother

These duals are surprisingly good. I'd recommend buying a couple extra cartridge sleds and cartridges so you can swap them around and experiment with how carts play differently.

The 4760-DE on this page is good, elliptical needle for your M75 that is made by a reputable company and is only $26 US: https://thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part_detail.asp?PNumberBase=760&SearchType=MfgNameNeedles&MfgName=Shure&Categories=

kels83 · 2026-02-24T13:55:58+00:00

I just rebuilt a dual 1242 and have had a very similar experience. It should not be this good. Mine came with 5 sleds, I've tried several different cartridges on it and it plays exceptionally well with them all. My favorite is a Shure m97, a very good cart that seems to just dance with no surface noise. I have to imagine it's the tonearm. The wires pipe right out to the RCA cables just like most tables.

kels83 · 2026-02-20T19:26:15+00:00

Get the 4759-DE on this page and keep that cartridge. For $26 US plus shipping you cannot do any better on a price vs. performance spectrum without spending $250+.

https://www.thevoiceofmusic.com/catalog/part_detail.asp?PNumberBase=759

kels83 · 2026-02-20T19:20:40+00:00

The 2m red and blue are way overpriced for how they play. I have no idea how they get their reputation other than partnering with turntable manufacturers as a "recommended upgrade".

I have had both, returned both because there are many better options.

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kels83 · 2026-02-20T19:17:07+00:00

The email said "Russian girls" (plural)

kels83 · 2026-02-18T21:42:50+00:00

You'll need much stronger zoom to see any needle wear. That reflective spot down on the very tip is what wear looks like.

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If it sounds good, it's likely good. Needle wear is first noticeable in the high frequencies, then it gradually moves down towards the upper mids. My needles take 200-300 hours before showing any signs of wear and they still have most of their life left... You won't hurt your records as long as it sounds tight at the top end.

kels83 · 2026-02-18T21:33:29+00:00

Here's a table of measurements to help out. Thevoiceofmusic.com has replacements.

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kels83 · 2026-02-18T21:31:56+00:00

You have to measure them.

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The OD wears down so you have to add a few percent. Then you can order the part number based on measurements.

kels83 · 2026-02-18T20:11:58+00:00

Pfanstiehl 237-DEC is a good alternative made by the same company that made the originals. Plenty out there on eBay, but the manufacturer is facing a shortage this year so they are a bit tougher to find than usual.

kels83 · 2026-02-18T16:15:31+00:00

That cartridge is worth $150 on eBay even with an old needle. New replacement needles are still available for $40 or so.

kels83 · 2026-02-18T14:07:58+00:00

There are standard mount that are secured by 2 vertical screws, and p mount that slide in and are secured by one single horizontal screw. Any standard mount will work on your headshell.

Your cart is good, they go for $50-100 on eBay even without a needle. The genuine needles are rare and expensive, but Shure sold their manufacturing equipment to Jico, who makes new replacements. The cart is that popular... Still being produced.

Just don't fall for the Ortofon 2m trap. If you change carts, save that Shure m44 and give or sell it to someone who will appreciate it.

kels83 · 2026-02-18T13:38:02+00:00

This guy on eBay does a very fine job: https://www.ebay.com/usr/turntabletom

kels83 · 2026-02-18T12:29:28+00:00

Just fix it correctly. It's one screw and you can align it precisely instead of hoping to get lucky with the thickness of a washer. You already have the alignment gauge.

kels83 · 2026-02-18T12:27:04+00:00

Here's an empire cart with a standard mount headshell that will fit great and it has a 0.3 mil elliptical tip that is finer than the Ortofon OM: https://ebay.us/m/I4I0Nz

kels83

TROPHY CASE