Cartridge for Quad 44

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Awg
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33lp, thanks! No, I do not

33lp, thanks!
No, I do not know the difference between those two models,
but I have noticed that the styli of the two cartridges have different descriptions and denotations; The M 97 HE has a hyper-elliptical stylus, N 97 HE, whereas the M 97xE has an elliptical one, N 97xE. I do not know what the difference between 'hyper-elliptical' and 'elliptical' means, neither in theory nor in practice, and I am happy to try to find an answer to this issue.
Best regards, Awg.

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Thorens TD 126-SME 3009R-Shure M 97HE / Quad 33-303 / Sonab OA 116

tagalie
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RE: 33lp, thanks! No, I do not

Awg wrote:

I do not know what the difference between 'hyper-elliptical' and 'elliptical' means, neither in theory nor in practice, and I am happy to try to find an answer to this issue. Best regards, Awg.

It's just a different stylus profile. They were for ever meddling around with stylus shape for optimum stylus/groove contact and minimum distortion. How much difference these changes made to sound is perhaps a matter for debate. They certainly made a difference to stylus cost. It's pretty much what ski manufacturers are always doing and cynics complain that most of the changes are aimed mainly at keeping the market on the boil.

My experience is that HE styli did minimise distortion. I'm less certain they produced a better overall sound. 

Awg
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Thanks, tagalie, for your

Thanks, tagalie, for your answer.
If I buy a M 97 xE, I will be happy to compare the two cartridges.
Best regards, Awg.

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Thorens TD 126-SME 3009R-Shure M 97HE / Quad 33-303 / Sonab OA 116

33lp
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RE: Cartridge for Quad 44

Yes, awg, I don't know the availability today of original Shure styli but the xE & HE styli should be interchangeable with the cartridge body being the same in both cases. Tagalie reminded me that when the M75 series first appeared it was available with about four different spherical & elliptical stylus assemblies for different tracking weights & tonearms (and there was probably a stylus assembly for 78s as well). When the top M75 appeared in 1972, the M75ED Type 2 I read Stanley Kelly's review in the Gramophone, describing its performance as "exemplary" and bought one to replace the earlier M44 series in my Lenco GL75 turntable. The Type 2 is still there today (with a new original Shure stylus a few years ago) and still sounds great and preferable to CD!