I love my whitelabels, but the replacement styli now cost double of what they have previously. I've shopped around and the average price is around €50 per stylus. The last time I bought spares was a while back as I bought in bulk, so I'm only noticing the jump in price now.
Does anyone know when they got so expensive, or why? Considering these styli are particularly fragile, you could rack up quite a hefty bill buying them at €50 a pop. I've got two cats to feed, you know.
I was thinking about that the other day too. I use M44-7 and the stylus' cost about $20. Are the white labels really that much better? It might be worth considering M44-7, I've used them 20 years and they sound fine to me.
I've heard (although only anecdotally) that the whitelabel stylus (checking online specs I guess would confirm this) is in fact identical to the Shure M35x stylus although they cannot be fitted to the whitelabel and vice versa. The whitelabel was developed to be the all in one competition to Ortofon's concorde range. If it looks like they're going to stay expensive. If that's the case.......if what I've heard is true regarding the white label/m35x, it might be worth purchasing m35x cartridges (70 euro off juno for the cartridge/stylus, so 140 for two cartridges PLUS headshells). The initial cost would be high (but then the whitelabels were expensive too as a whole anyways) but replacement styli for the M35x are just over 30 euros) but may be worth it long term.
€49.34 a pop on Juno. Not much change from a 50 bill there.
[quote=djshags]I was thinking about that the other day too. I use M44-7 and the stylus' cost about $20. Are the white labels really that much better? It might be worth considering M44-7, I've used them 20 years and they sound fine to me.
If the whitelabels continue to cost that much, the M44-7s would probably be my first port of call.
LosPollosHenmanos
I've heard (although only anecdotally) that the whitelabel stylus (checking online specs I guess would confirm this) is in fact identical to the Shure M35x stylus although they cannot be fitted to the whitelabel and vice versa. The whitelabel was developed to be the all in one competition to Ortofon's concorde range. If it looks like they're going to stay expensive. If that's the case.......if what I've heard is true regarding the white label/m35x, it might be worth purchasing m35x cartridges (70 euro off juno for the cartridge/stylus, so 140 for two cartridges PLUS headshells). The initial cost would be high (but then the whitelabels were expensive too as a whole anyways) but replacement styli for the M35x are just over 30 euros) but may be worth it long term.
I might also look into this, as I'd much rather have the cost of a new setup than paying €50 per stylus.
As a cartridge, I really do prefer the whitelabels to others that I've come across both in of sound and stability. However, I don't really fancy the feeling of being ripped off, so I might have to look elsewhere in future. If I'm feeling bitter enough about it I might even switch brands.
Shure, I've been a loyal subject for nigh on 7 years. I've accepted your imperfections, and have defended your at-times flimsy needles in the face of some sharp criticism from the Ortofon brigade, but neither my pockets, nor my pride can take this much of a beating. Please, don't make me walk out that door.
We have experienced a shortage in components from our suppliers in recently. This shortage was also a factor in the extended backorder we experienced with phono products during 2016.
Our suppliers are working harder to source components that meet our standards and are have raised the prices on these products. Unfortunately, when it becomes more expensive for Shure to manufacture a product, it means the product also becomes more expensive for our customers.
We have great respect for our customers and do our best to them wherever possible. I hope you will consider Shure for your future audio needs, but I understand if you decide to look elsewhere.
50 for a stylus is quite a lot of money but then again how many times do you need to replace your needles in a year? The 44-7 or 44-G needles will set you back about 30 Euro a piece as well, so switching to another system will likely not pay off unless you replace your needles every two months.
btw, the M35x needle is apparently the same as the Whitelabel. https://www.discogs.sie.com/group/thread/629153
I can vaguely recall that you can actually swap the needles between both models but you'd have to cut off a small bit of the plastic in order to make it fit. Have no personal experience here, so I don't know in which direction it applies (if it does work),
"In recent years, the ability to maintain our exacting standards in the Phonograph Cartridge product category has been challenged," the company said in a statement today, "resulting in cost and delivery impacts that are inconsistent with the Shure brand promise." Because of this, they will discontinue all of their DJ cartridges, including the M44-7 and Whitelabel (pictured) models, which are among the industry's most popular. This will take effect as of this summer.
They stopped! Cartridges priced now around €80 for one! It's horrible. Some substitutes for M44-7 are available for €32 as pair. They looks la ittle cheap - without protection cap, but works nice. It's the only alternate in the future.
"In recent years, the ability to maintain our exacting standards in the Phonograph Cartridge product category has been challenged," the company said in a statement today, "resulting in cost and delivery impacts that are inconsistent with the Shure brand promise." Because of this, they will discontinue all of their DJ cartridges, including the M44-7 and Whitelabel (pictured) models, which are among the industry's most popular. This will take effect as of this summer.
I haven't tried them myself but have heard good reports.
I you haven't heard of Jico check the youtube review I linked a few posts back for the 44 series ones.
The Shure model numbers can be confusing.
M447X and M44GX are actually 35 series models. They were introduced when the M44-7 and M44G were first discontinued (in the early 90s I think?).
When the M44-7 and M44G were relaunched in 1998 the M447X and M44GX were discontinued.
The M447X was later reintroduced with slight changes as the M35X.
Jico's reply when I wrote them Nov 2018:
"Thank you for ing JICO.
We are terribly sorry but we do not have plans for manufacturing replacement stylus for Shure Whitelabel for the time being.
However we have so much inquiry about Shure Whitelabel replacements
So We will discuss on this issue internally.
I apologize that I could not give you a reply that fulfills your expectations.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
JICO Team"
I guess everyone should just write them all the time.
mattpositive
Jico's reply when I wrote them Nov 2018:
"Thank you for ing JICO.
We are terribly sorry but we do not have plans for manufacturing replacement stylus for Shure Whitelabel for the time being.
However we have so much inquiry about Shure Whitelabel replacements
So We will discuss on this issue internally.
I apologize that I could not give you a reply that fulfills your expectations.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
JICO Team"
I guess everyone should just write them all the time.
Whitelabel replacement stylus are, all of a sudden, available through guitar center. Normal price of $59.00 ea and free shipping. I ordered 2, and they came 3 days later.
I bought them and they are absolutely NOT as good as the originals. There is a marked difference in sound quality.
Has anyone tried replacing the stylus in a white label needle carrier (?) with an m35x needle? Like doing surgery basically ?
The Jicos seem pretty well regarded wherever I've seen them discussed online, had expected they'd be at least as good as the Shure ones.
Was just about to pull the trigger on a pair of whitelabels when they were discontinued, was just thinking this week about getting a set having seen that same third party stylus on Rubadub ... "Fits perfectly and plays perfectly"?!?
Hello, As all the orphans of shure WHLB I do not have needles for my cartridges. However. I have been checking and some sellers recommend me to use the N44G stylus in my WHLB but they look bad. I do not know if it is correct.
Also, I researched and the following stylus could serve: M-99, M44, Shure M-99, N-94 Blue, N97 red, The last two look better ..... Anyway these are elliptical and not spherical like the ones WHLB uses.
If someone has the opportunity to test with these stylus please post.
Finally JICO has answered my mail and they do not think about manufacturing a replacement for WHLB. If I can not find a replacement, I think I'll change my cartridges
The M44-7 or G styli won't fit. The M35X does when you clip off some of the plastic from what I've heard. The actual needle on the White Label and the M35X is the same.
dbenway
Was just about to pull the trigger on a pair of whitelabels when they were discontinued, was just thinking this week about getting a set having seen that same third party stylus on Rubadub ... "Fits perfectly and plays perfectly"?!?
I am using them and they sound ok and depending on the speakers and listening situation it might be hard to hear a difference. But on some really good headphones (HD 600) the original sounds better to my ears (higher resolution, better transients/dynamic). Due to their different look I can’t see the needle, which makes me definitely prefer the originals.
Introducing “192-WHLB” that we’ve all been waiting for!!!
A stylus to replace the original “SHURE WHITELABEL”.
PRE-SALE on a LIMITED QUANTITY, first come first served basis
*LIMITED- 2PCS / ORDER* https://www.jico-stylus.com/product/nwhlb/
【ABOUT 192-WHLB】
Shipping leading time : About 2 ~ 3 days after receiving the order
Price: $42.00
Tracking Force: 1.5 ~ 3.0g
*limited quantity available; the sale ends when it’s sold out*
I just opened mine, and first impressions are really good. Visually they look identical to the original. Quick listening test suggests they are slightly "brighter" in the mid and high ranges than the original, at least to these battered ears. The original I used for comparison has been open for a few months but hasn't been used heavily. Praise be to Jico
now that there are more alternatives out there, this might not be needed, but has anyone tried a "retipping" service for dead NWHLB stylus? came across one on eBay and of course saw shocking 200 USD prices for NOS replacements.
There's also a tonar N92S that looks identical to the tonar WHLB except it comes in red its £12 cheaper than the tonar WHLB at Juno!
I've no idea how this sounds but there are confirmations online that the 92e series stylus are interchangeable
With WHLB.
Tracking weight range, frequency response, output voltage, and stylus shape differ between WHLB and M92E cartridges according to technical sheets from Shure's website. It would be good to check if Tonar's N92s are built on same specs of 92e series ...
Similar things were said about the m35x and Sc35c but the styluses are interchangeable!
Once the stocks of certain stylus had dissappeared shure were quick to suggest alternatives.
There are some online who believe that shure only have 3 different generators though their whole cartridge line.
I don't know how these will stand up to heavy wear but I got no complaints for £18
And they sold out immediately on Juno!
How many djs are using m92e cartridges?
Not me I can tell you!
jayonline
There's also a tonar N92S that looks identical to the tonar WHLB except it comes in red its £12 cheaper than the tonar WHLB at Juno!
I've no idea how this sounds but there are confirmations online that the 92e series stylus are interchangeable
With WHLB.
i got a set of red replacement NWHLB stylus off eBay - these look the same. the profile of these are different than the OEM so it took a bit of rebalancing of the tone arm so the base wouldn't the vinyl... but they sound good actually. i still have 3 OEM stylus left but will run with these red ones for the time being.
The jico ones are on offer direct from Jico these are excellent at $42
I was dissapointed with the tonar WHLB I had one fall apart whilst changing. Which is how I came to discover the m92s!
I've had my Tonar's for about a month now and I'm really happy with them. Went back to my ortofon's when Shure stopped making replacements but they fade after a few months so thought I'd give the Tonar's a go. Hopefully they'll last a bit longer, will report back in a few months.
Hello, jumping on the thread just now (I just got a Whitelabel.. with no stylus).
Has anyone heard/tried about the BLISS N-WHLB stylus?
Apparently only available at TurntableNeedles
I'd order the JICO but paying half the price of the stylus for shipping and these days, shipping from Japan is highly erratic (ordered a stylus for my Nagaoka in early March, it arrived end of June and it's broken)
So I'd rather be looking for something available in the US.
Thanks in advance.
Don't do it. They sound horrible; bad tracking; channels dropping out. I returned the first pair and then the replacements were even worse. TurntableNeedles does have great customer service though so you might want to try them.
But better to just spend the money at Jico. They make them by hand.
I’ve had the whitelabels for years and recently picked up the JICO stylus replacements. They sound excellent, however I have managed to lose one of the rubber stylus tip covers that came with the original whitelabel box. Anyone know where to find a replacement or something that will work as a replacement for that?
Don't do it. They sound horrible; bad tracking; channels dropping out. I returned the first pair and then the replacements were even worse. TurntableNeedles does have great customer service though so you might want to try them.
But better to just spend the money at Jico. They make them by hand.
I missed your reply... sorry.. but indeed I went the JICO way.
I must say the WL is not bad but somehow I like my Nagaoka MP-110 better.
The WL might be better with more worn records as it picks less details therefore less noise in comparison to the Nagaoka. In my experience at least.
Hello, I bought 2 Tonar needles from Juno. They are awful, the sound is bad, overall a very bad experience. I've ordered 2 from Jico today and I am expecting much better quality. The Tonar replacements are very bad.
Regards,
Peter
Hi all. Recently the tip on one of my Whitelabels broke so I was looking for replacement. After reading this thread and checking Juno I am honestly confused. So, people seem to generally agree that Tonar is bad and Jico is good. Now, what the hack is this on Juno named "Tonar Shure Whitelabel In Jico Box Replacement DJ Stylus" - https://www.juno.co.uk/products/tonar-shure-whitelabel-in-jico-box-replacement/858183-01/ - is that the good one or bad one? It contains the name of both brands, so Im really not sure which one is it. Thanks for the help in advance.
I bought two Tonar replacement stylus for my whitelabels yesterday. Gave it a quick test and it sounds bad compared to the original Shure stylus. I gave it a side by side test with a worn original and the same record. The Tonar gave me lower output and the soundstage is more narrow/smaller and sounds a lot less lively..
Tested with Technics 1210 m5g, Isonoe rotary mixer, Yamaha M-4 amp, Audio Note AN-E/B speakers.
Wouldnt surprise me if it can handle more abuse than the original, but that doesnt make up for worse sound.. I'll change this comment or add to it if it sounds better/changes character after it's been run in a bit more..
So I would not recommend it allthough they are a lot cheaper than Jico.
