Great story telling Joe and I have you say, everything you mentioned is practically the same for me. Yes, here in Australia it was 'Tandy' but all items were exactly the same as the USA. Luckily I have many new old stock of these Realistic/Shure cartridges and styli that I pricked up for pennies when Tandy closed in Australia years ago. So glad I did, in set for life! Great verify mate !

The only thing you need to watch for is that the rubber suspension in old styli can harden up or turn to goo. I don't know why Shure doesn't get their act together and start making a range of hi-fi cartridges again. A lot of people are nostalgic for the brand and companies like Audio Technica and Ortofon are currently killing it. I'm currently running an AT VM740ML and my records have never sounded better.

That original cart from Shure was the Encore 5x that sold for $20 at a hi fi store

I just purchased a Shure R47XT last week, with a Shure 5X stylus. So cool to see it in the Radio Shack catalogue. Thaniks for posting.

I don't know about today, but during my youth in the late 70's into the 80's, the local radio DJ as well as the station seemed to give the listener a more personal experience. In fact our station had many yearly events where listeners could meet and mingle with their favorite DJ. We even had tours of the station from time to time, hence the picture of Joe in the DJ booth brought back many fond memories.

My old Pioneer 518 has V-15 mk5 with orginal stylus, had put it away for 20 years with my records. Pulled them out & sounds great

I now find myself using different carts for different albums ! Some old albums are unlistenable with newer carts.

I actually liked some of my ceramic carts on my first BSR. I really fell in love with a couple Audio Technica P mount carts on my Technics tables. Stantons were too spicey on top for my ears. I hated my Shure V15 type 3. Could not get it to sound good on any of my tables. I also remember the old Shure M44 when I was a DJ. Some Shures were good, some, I did not like. I actually have an R25xt, but it is not mounted, and does not have a clear stylis, it has a Jico replacement stylus on it. I will have to mount it now and give it a listen.

Too bad we can't have our old brains while we are young. Loved Radio Shack. Went there alot just to look around.

when did Shure close their doors i live a short distance from their factory in Evanston ,Ill

I got 2 Stanton 500 body’s one a mk1 and one a mk2. I need stylus what should I get