The Last Phono Cartridges from Stanton and Shure

1995/1999.
The last audiophile models from Stanton and Shure. They are not new models but a mix of components from previous cartridges. By the 1990s, cartridge manufacturing was almost nonexistent. Stanton had closed down their manufacturing plant and moved operations to Florida to focus on the DJ industry. Shure stopped all cartridg R&D and kept only 8 models in stock. The Stanton 681EEE MK III and Shure M97XE are have no new technical innovations, but seem to be made up of components from previous cartridge inventory. The 681EEE MK III uses the 681 body from 1975 and the heavy-duty stylus assembly from the 680EE model. The Shure M97XE has a stylus assembly similar to the M91E with a low mass moving magnet from the M95 series and while the tracking ability is high, the recommended VTF was increased by an additional 0.25 gram.