1. Good local dealers, if you have any.
2. On-line outfits, such as AudioAdvisor, NeedleDoctor, and MusicDirect (and others). I've bought things from those first 2. Cartridge-wise, I used NeedleDoctor and they have a lot and know their stuff and they had a good deal on what I was looking for.

V15 styluses are very rare now and getting rarer every day. The prices are going up all of the time. The last one I saw a new one for sale from a reputable source it was about $300 or so. That was several years ago. There are some great cartridges on the market for that kind of money including the Sumiko Blue Point #2, Grado Gold, and a couple of offerings from Benz Micro. Plus many, many more.

Benz Micro cartridges have some of the "blackest" backgrounds of any cartridge that I've ever heard. What kind of turntable are you using?

I've measured my OC9 to be 33cu, although others have strenuously disagreed with me on that (and claim it has a far lower dynamic compliance). For $330 new and $160 for an out-of-warranty replacement from AT USA, I'm not sure you're going to find a better deal for a top shelf cart, MM or MC. I mean, I think the replacement stylus for the AT150MLX costs more than getting a replacement OC9....

The problem on the A-T carts has always been the little donut suspension rubber type grommet that the canteliver passes through.

The glue dries up and the units break, right there, and start mistracking. Never buy any NOS or over 10 year old AT cart. Never.

I've got 5 brand new Signet AM40S MM carts which are broadly comparable to the ML150-160. They all have this donut suspension 'blown'. I've been thinking of sending them into soundsmith to see if they can do anything. Oh yeah -And two at-35E's, same condition. (low output MC, the precursor to the OC-9, sorta).

I just checked the cart database. The signet is like halfway between the ML160-an the ML170. The signet has the PCOCC wire, beryllium shank, microline, etc. I have FIVE dead NOS ones. Bummer.

Quote:
Ok, I'm afraid it's getting time to ask.

Where is a good place, these days, to buy either a new stylus (For V15 Type 4) or a new cartridge. I've got one stylus held back, but that's it.

I have purchased replacement styli for my Shure cartridges from these guys. I hope this helps.

SHSV15IV LP Gear needle stylus for Shure V15 IV cartridge $68.95
SHSV15IVG LP Gear needle stylus for Shure V15 IV-G cartridge $68.95

http://www.lpgear.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LG&Category_Code=JICO

Joe,
Thanks for the references. I'll have to look them up.

JJ:

I have used Shure V15 Type II Improved a long time ago, and most recently have a V15V MR which is also in need of a stylus. I was about to settle for the M97E, but will look for a real replacement. Thanks for bringing this up.

Eventually I'm looking for the M78 cartridge for use with 78 rpm records.