M97EJ mm phono cartridge

In very good condition, the genuine Shure Elliptical stylus is not showing any signs of wear.

The Shure M97 cartridge series was developed in answer to the need for a broad spectrum of cartridges for the variety of audiophiles seeking a high-performance cartridge with top-of-the-line features at a moderate price.

Every M97 is a genuine Shure Stereo Dynetic Cartridge and features the exclusive Shure Era IV Dynamic Stabilizer.

In addition, each model incorporates the new telescoped stylus shank design which provides lower effective tip mass without sacrificing strength.

The M97 series cartridges are available with five different stylus assemblies in two different tracking force ranges to match the budget and turntable of the audiophile.

As your system grows, you can upgrade your cartridge by purchasing the replacement stylus assembly from a different model in the series. In addition, a stylus for playing 78's is available for any M97 series stereo cartridge.

The standard M97 (with N97EJ stylus assembly) features a frequency range of 20Hz~20kHz, weighs 6.4g, is fitted with a high-compliance, low-mass, heat-treated aluminum alloy/telescoped shank (lower effective mass, increased stiffness over tubular shank) and a bonded, polished diamond Biradial (elliptical) stylus with 4mV output. The recommended loading is 47kΩ/300pf, with a suggested tracking force of 1.5g~3g (without the damping brush engaged, 2g~3.5g with the brush engaged). My cartridge did not come with a brush, and I ran it at 2g. Like the M97xe, the M97EJ is considered an audiophile cartridge, albeit with different specifications. These variances in frequency response, chassis construction/material, shank (telescoped vs. tubular) and tracking force proffered many similar traits including tonal and timbral presentation albeit with supporting percussion, horns, woodwinds and keyboard/piano tipped less forward in the midrange than the M97xe. Sound stage was not appreciably different, with a large, centred stereo image of approximately the same width/height/depth and a neutral/slightly warm colour balance to the sound signature. Both the M97EJ and the M97ex are very quiet in the groove, with their stylus profiles making surface noise practically nonexistent and offering a deep black background for the transcription information to leap from, free from artefacts. These profiles track exceptionally well, and like the M97xe, it offers both a detailed, textured reproduction to the likes of drum skins, trumpet embouchure change-ups, or bass Arco/pizzicato, coupled with an unruffled smoothness in playback of genres from folk to IDM. Inner groove distortion is of particular note in how the cart minimized it. The M97EJ is engineered with a generous sense of space around notes in the upper registers and a solidity of weight/mass to lower-mids and bass which always felt adequate, not superfluous in its presentation. The stiffer shank seemed to contribute to a sense of greater extension/smoothness in the highest treble energy region.

This is a medium compliance cartridge which will work well in most tonearms tracking at about 2g.