This mirrors my experience as well. I actually used the Platinum on a
Rega P3 with no problem and got fabulous sound. There was an extremely
small level of hum at the very end of the Lp sides that was covered
over completely by the music and by comparison surface noise can be
much greater, so that has always been more of a rumor than a truth.
There is a very good compatibility with the MMF tables as well as I
have most recently mounted and sold a Grado on an MMF-7. The Grados
are superior in sound to either of the other options. I now use a Rega
Super Elys which is also excellent, so there is yet another choice.
for years before I had used the better models of the Denon MC
cartridges which are now impossible to find. The new Grados and Regas
really give them a run for the money and do not require sinfully
expensive preamplification to get the most from them either. As with
any cartridge, proper set-up and alignment is very important so be
sure to get that right or you will not benefit from these cartridges
tracking abilities and can also damage your records.
- Bill
www.uptownaudio.com
Roanoke VA
(540) 343-1250

"Bruce J. Richman" wrote in message
...
J. Bunnell wrote:

I'm considering upgrading my MMF-5 'table with a new cartridge.
Both
the Shure V15 and the Sumiko BPS are on sale at AudioAdvisor. I've
been leaning toward the BPS for quite a while, wanting to try out
an
MC cart for a change. But I've read great things about the V15 as
well.

Anyone with experience with one or both cartridges? Any
significant
differences in sound, or installation ease?

I'd appreciate any comments. Thanks.

---
Jim









I've owned both cartridges in the past. My experiences were as
follows. The
Shure cartridge is an extremely competent tracker, compared to the
BPS. Also,
I would characterize its sound as definitely more neutral and
"relaxed" than
the BPS. When I first got the BPS, I thought its sound was more
"detailed" and
"exciting":, but longer term use and comparison finally convinced me
that it
was just more fatiguing and "hi-fi-ish". Now if you prefer a
relatively
analytical sound, you may prefer this, but I did not.

My first choice in the price bracket you are considering would be
the Grado
Reference Platinum, selling on the AA web site for $ 270.00. I used
this
cartridge for several years and found it significantly superior to
either the
Shure or BPS. It is much more musical IMHO than either of the
others. It
seems to impart a fullness of body to many vocals and instrumentals
that is
missing from the other cartridges you are considering. The only
caveat I would
attach to it is that some Rega owners have reported hum problems
with the Grado
cartridges. With other brands, this does not appear to be a
problem, perhaps
because of different motor locations. I've used VPI turntables with
my
cartridges with no such problems.

Ideally, of course, you should try and audition any cartridge you
are
considering prior to purchase.

Bruce J. Richman