Cartridge "primer"?

Rickysa

New Member
I've just ordered a 1200 MXII after much reading/searching...now I need to do the same for a cartridge. I haven't had any real luck in finding a general primer on them, other than "linear ($$)>eliptical diamond (smaller=better)>conical"

anyone have a place I can go to and learn?

Rick

ETA: McIntosh C-34V pre, Mc 2500 amp, Khorns
 
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There's more to learn than can be put into one of these postings. However the internet has a number of sites that attempt to explain cartridge setup. Just Google "phono cartridge setup" or something similar and start reading.

I take it by "1200 MXII" you mean a Technics turntable. If so you will have 2 options for positioning a cartridge in it's included headshell. Technics includes what is called an overhang gauge with it's turntables. Directions for it's use are in the owner's manual. It is the easy and effective (i.e. good sounding) way for a newbie to set up a cartridge for a Technics. The other option is to use a tool called a protractor, which in some cases comes with a cartridge, can be purchased from online vendors, or can be downloaded from online sources (such as Vinyl Engine). When used the protractor is placed on the turntable platter. You will encounter two protractor layout schemes. Both have two grids on them, an outer grid and an inner grid . One type has the inner grid printed ahead of the outer grid. With this type you will not want to rotate the platter to check if your cartridge alignment lines up with both outer and inner grids. The other kind has both grids in line with each other in relation to a radius line drawn out from the platter center spindle. With this type you will have to rotate the platter and protractor to check if your attempted mounting works with both outer and inner grids.

And there's more to learn. Moving magnet. Moving coil. Stylus shapes. Phono Stage (Pre-Amp). Start here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_cartridge

Come back with questions. People here love questions.
 
Here's some places for good answers:
Van den Hul FAQ page for phono:
http://www.vandenhul.com/userfiles/docs/Phono_FAQ.pdf
A cartridge setup page:
http://www.audiophilia.com/features/cartridge_setup.htm
Another:
http://www.soundfountain.com/amb/ttadjust.html
Another, but with a caveat, it's for the obsessed, great info except the alignment protractor, which is way off.
http://www.vacuumstate.com/fileupload/GuruSetUp.pdf
Ed's cartridge database, invaluable resourse on every cartridge known to man:
http://www.vinylengine.com/cartridge_database.php
Thread on stylus shapes, good info, (the admin of the site is a sh!t)
http://www.vinylengine.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22894
Davey's got some great wav files of a bunch of cartriges you can download to a CD and listen to:
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/daveyw/

That's all I got right now, hope it helps.
 
There are plenty of past threads on this forum about recommended carts for a Technics direct drive. Use the search function...
 
First of all, it's generally in the medium mass arm category. That's neither good, nor bad - it just is. It comes with the ability to swap universal headshells, so you can pretty easily tweak the effective arm mass. Say mount an Ortofon OM with the brass "keystone" weight removed in a light shell and it will act like a pretty low mass arm. Mount an AT150MLX (cast ceramic matrix body) in a cast alloy headshell and it will need the counterweight all the way back as that will act like a heavy arm. And in the case of the AT150MLX - that combo is not a good set up done that way.

The 1200 is a fine table and very flexible. I'd say start with a AT95e. It's a workhorse cartridge. It good and it's relatively inexpensive. You can upgrade it when the stylus wears by installing an Sa stylus. It will get you started and you'll learn the ropes.

Then I'd suggest you get another headshell and get a Grado BLACK. Another inexpensive cartridge with a different sound. The Technics gets along well with Grado's so you need one in your stable.

THEN, go looking for the better stuff in the upgrade path. Some LPs don't sound good with some cartridges. Having a 1200 is like having a tool box. You can fix some of the used vinyl wear patterns and such by swapping cartridges, once you know what it needs and you have a bit of experience :)

Ultimately you have a LOT of choices. You can range that table up to a Clear Audio cartridge mated with the right shell. That'll be bout $900 - thank you - but it will sound good. Just no need to go there out of the gate :)
 
Let us know what the rest of your set-up consists of and what your willing to part with for a cartridge. That will help narrow down a good match. Budget in some cleaning supplies (quality) if you do not own any.
 
Hey folks, thanks so much for the replys/information. Believe me, I did do searches, but couldn't make heads or tails out of the recommendations because I did not know the basics. I'm just putting the system together, and edited the original post as to system components. I received a VPI cleaner this weekend and found a local guy selling some 70's album, but haven't had a chance to set things up yet. Regarding $$, I'm sure there are some suble nuances that big bucks could deliver, but I'd like to spend whatever it would cost to get the most from the other components (ie I don't want the cartridge to be the weakest link in the system).

Again, thanks!

Rick
 
The 1200 is a fine table and very flexible.

Ultimately you have a LOT of choices.

Very true. I've run everything from a Soundsmith SMMC2 (high-compliance version) tracking at 1.0 gram, to a Stanton 500 at 5.0 grams VTF on my Technics SL-1200MK5. Excellent performance no matter which cartridge I put on it. I also second the recommendation for Grado cartridges. I get excellent performance and none of the "hum" using Grados on the Technics.
 
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