LP Gear Shibata FF15XE Ultimate Stylus for Ortofon F/FF D5E D3E NF15XEII D20E MKII

LP GEAR SHIBATA FF15XE ULTIMATE STYLUS FOR ORTOFON F, FF & VMS CARTRIDGES 5E D3E NF15XEII VMX3E FF10 540-DEL 4540-DEL STYLUS

LP GEAR STYLUS FF15XE SHIBATA - what should have been the sound of the extended VMS cartridge
- Top of the line Shibata diamond stylus
- Elevates the sound quality (SQ) of the following Ortofon cartridges: all F, FF and VMS cartridges, D5E D3E D20E MKII NF15XEII VMX3E FF10 540-DEL 4540-DEL Styli
- Tracking force range: 1.5-2.0g
- Recommended for following cartridges: The VMS F, FF cartridges. These vintage F/FF, VMS cartridges offer a transparent and more detailed, nuanced sound with better transient response and vivacity than the subsequent warmer and smoother OM and brighter current 2M series.

At LP GEAR® our philosophy runs counter to the usual convention of commerce -- planned obsolescence. We believe that products created for perfection should last a lifetime of enjoyment or much longer like the Stradivari Messiah 1716 or the Guarneri violin. After all, a cartridge lasts indefinitely!

Older than the USA — 283 years old to be exact, the Vieuxtemps Guarneri Del Gesu-1741 named for its most famous owner, the leading Belgian virtuoso and composer who esteemed it so much he wanted to be buried with it, recently became the most expensive viloin in the world, selling for an estimated $16 million. Its new owner anonymously donated the historic instrument to violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, on loan for the rest of her life. Thus, our rationale for rejuvenating the F/FF VMS cartridges with ultra high performance styli so existing and new users can continue to enjoy these treasures.

Emjoy the magnificence of the VMS40SH cartridge had there been a devout commitment to perfection. Instead they chose to replace the FF/VMS series with a new look and model name, redesigned the stylus knob to make it look sleek, and changed the sound character to rounder and warmer. This is their template (just like automobiles) to make your current seem old and obbsolete even though it actually is not.

Limited to 100 units per production, each SHIBATA FF15XE is tested, in the laboratory with precision electronic instruments and then by actual record-playing and listening, to ascertain that each meets or exceeds its specified target output voltage, cross-talk, and balance.