Shure Discontinuing Phono Cartridge Production

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kevinkr

kevinkr

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#1
Shure Statement Regarding the Discontinuation of Phono Products | Press Releases | Shure Americas

Shure Statement Regarding the Discontinuation of Phono Products

May 1, 2018

Niles, IL., May 1, 2018—For more than 90 years, Shure has been committed to manufacturing and delivering products of the highest quality, reliability, and value. This commitment requires consistency in materials, processes, and testing, as well the capacity to react to fluctuations in demand.
In recent years, the ability to maintain our exacting standards in the Phonograph Cartridge product category has been challenged, resulting in cost and delivery impacts that are inconsistent with the Shure brand promise.
In light of these conditions, and after thorough evaluation, we have made the difficult decision to discontinue production of Shure Phono products effective Summer 2018.
Given our decades-long history of participation in the Phono category, we recognize that this decision may come as a disappointment to our channel partners and end users.
We are grateful for the support and loyalty demonstrated for Shure Phono products through the years and we are proud of the impact that these products have made on our customers’ lives and the reputation of the Shure brand. We believe that the proud legacy of Shure Phono is best served by exiting the category rather than continuing production under increasingly challenging circumstances.
Shure will continue to bring reputable, high quality products to market and we look forward to meeting and exceeding customer expectations on our current and future offerings. As Shure expands into new markets and product categories for audiophiles, our enduring commitment to premium performance and technological innovation will remain at our core.
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#7
Whilst sad, it doesn't suprise me. As far as I can tell there had been no R&D* at shure for 20 years now and they have just been milking old tooling in mexico. They are bailing as the market is picking up, but if they have no in house design resource anymore and the product line isn't making much you can see the reasons.

I wonder if th M44 tooling will become available for sale?

*Yes I know AT, Ortofon and Excel have been knocking out the same basic generators for 35 odd years now as well, but at least they try and make it look new every so often 🙂
 
#15
I would assume someone will license Shure's patents etc. and maybe even the cartridge trademarks. I hope they do better than Corning did with Pyrex, we had one explode in the microwave a few weeks ago. A quick search found that that Corning made no requirement that their trademark be used with only borosilicate glass.
 
#19
Galu said:
Being a resident of the UK, I had to do an internet search for 'Twinkies'! Those 'Golden Sponge Cakes with Creamy Filling' could be comfort food for distressed Shure aficionados!
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Tut, they are central to both the original Ghostbusters film and the animation WallE. I am not sure I would willingly eat one though. However, like cheesewhiz seems to have a shelf life of centuries so good survival rations.
 
#20
Don't forget the software

Aftermarket stylus suppliers like Jico will keep the extant Shure cartridge bodies operational for the forseeable future. What we can't count on continuing is all the phono related technical information that is currently available on Shure's website. In particular is Faq #5346 "High Fidelity Phonograph Cartridge - Technical Seminar", which is a 110 page compendium of information that is must reading for anyone with a turntable.

https://www.shure.com/americas/supp...delity-phonograph-cartridge-technical-seminar

There are also some 200+ phono related Faq's and answers, some of which provide obscure information on stylus interchangeability and hybrid stylus/body combinations that don't show up on the standard stylus replacement guides.

Download the information while you can.

Ray K
 
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